We’re back in business but with social distancing THE CHARITY GARDEN
Last year marked the 12th time Jerry and Christine Gregson threw open the gates to their garden at 101 Greenbank Crescent, Edinburgh, and waited for visitors. They never had to wait long.
Most years upwards of 120 people turned up on a Sunday afternoon in May to enjoy the magnolias, fruit trees and spring flowers such as pulsatillas and anemones tumbling down the terraces overlooking Braidburn Park.
The openings were part of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme and money raised through tickets and teas supported a wide range of charities. When last year’s event had to be cancelled, Jerry and Christine continued to show the garden to small numbers of visitors by appointment and sales of tomato seedlings helped raise £120 the charities would otherwise have missed out on. Meanwhile, this green-fingered pair continued to work on their south-facing garden, which was a mass of
weeds and broken terraces when they moved there 20 years ago. Now, through their dedication, it is filled with fruit and flowers and they are looking forward to being able to show it off properly again. “Instead of opening for just a few hours we will be opening on Saturday, May 22, and Sunday, May 23, from 10am until 5pm to allow as many people as possible through while still social distancing,” says Jerry. Catering arrangements have changed too. Cakes will take the form of individually wrapped tray-bakes and all cups and cutlery will be biodegradable.
“We were disappointed last year not to be able to go ahead so it will be a pleasure to get back to business as normal.”