Gardens are open to all... online

THE National Garden Scheme (NGS) has launched a new online scheme to keep its gardens open during the covid-19 coronavirus crisis.

Through the coming weeks, it will help raise funds to replace lost income from gardens not opening during the spring and summer as they do normally. These are vital funds for nursing charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie and Hospice UK amongst others.

The NGS has been forced to close the garden gates for the first time in its 93-year his

tory under government guide- lines on Coronavirus.

Now organisers have hit back with virtual garden visits, many filmed by the garden owners, to be hosted on the National Garden Scheme’s website.

They will be delivered direct to the nation’s inbox via the charity’s weekly eNewsletter with links via its social media channels.

Mary Berry, President of the National Garden Scheme, who launched the ‘Support Our Gardens’ appeal in her own garden, said: “This wonderful organisation has been inviting people to open their gardens to raise funds for nursing and health charities for more than 90 years.

“During that time it has given away nearly £60 million.

“Also, during all that time, the gardens have never had to close – not even during the Second World War. That is until now.

“Right now people are not able to visit the gardens and there is no money being raised. In fact, as things are, the charity’s income is likely to be down by 80 per cent during 2020. So a team at the National Garden Scheme made up of garden owners, volunteers and staff have organised a marvellous campaign which

we are launching today.

“Garden owners have recorded videos of their gardens to make a series of ‘virtual visits’ and we are inviting everyone who might have visited a garden to watch a virtual visit instead and think of giving a donation to the charity.

“I think it’s a fantastic idea, typical of the resourcefulness which has kept the National Garden Scheme going for over 90 years and I urge you to support the campaign generously and enjoy the stunning gardens.”

NGS gives visitors unique access to over 3,700 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales, including many in your area, and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake.

Each week, on a Thursday, the National Garden Scheme will release a new collection of virtual garden visits. You can find them – and the full collection – on the National Garden Scheme website at www.ngs. org.uk/virtual-garden-visits/

You can sign up for free to receive weekly information about the virtual garden visits at www.ngs.org.uk/sign-up/

Margaret Mann Publicity Officer for Lincolnshire NGS