Parish Project 2007

Open Gardens - 10 June 2007

Did you see it? There deep in one of the gardens was a single simple, perfect rose. It caught my eye - not literally, of course - and summed up the day for me. We had taken a simple concept, opening gardens for the public, and turned it into something beautiful with a wonderful atmosphere that can only be found when hundreds of people with a shared interest come together and enjoy themselves.

And not just that, in the process we raised ~£2,600, an increase of 20% on last year, to be shared by the MS Centre in Wendover and St Mary's Roof Fund. And, with matched giving generously offered by a family in the parish, the MS Centre will actually receive £2,600 and St Mary's Roof Fund £1,300.

But it can only happen because of the generosity of the people who open their gardens and the hard work of the helpers and people who donated their time, cakes, plants or prizes. To all of them an enormous 'Thank you'.

Did you have a favourite? For the first time this year, Garden Scene in The Rye offered a prize to "The Peoples' Choice" - your favourite garden. Approaching 100 people made their way back to Edlesborough to vote. Each garden received at least one vote and the winning garden, with over 40% of the votes cast, was 46 Moor End, owner by June Trott, - how very apt, as her husband is someone who benefits from the work of the MS Centre in Wendover. If you didn't get to see the garden there is a picture of part of it here but, in a garden full of different 'rooms', this hardly captures the magic of the place. Thanks must go to Kevin Yeomans at Garden Scene for his support of the event.

So, after just two years, it seems that our Open Gardens event is becoming a fixture in the diary for the second Sunday in June - next year that will be Sunday 8 June. The event depends on people willing to allow their gardens to be seen by the public. Gardens can be big or small, beautifully tended or 'rampant'. Without exception those who opened their gardens this year had a great day, so please consider joining them and opening your garden. Three visitors to this year's event were moved to volunteer, so please contact Gordon and join them; and if anyone would like to volunteer to organise the event I would be pleased to open my own garden.

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who came along and supported the event. I hope you will tell your friends and that we will see you again next year.

-- Gordon Gray

I understand, by the way, that the rose that caught my eye is called 'Ballerina'.

If you would like to contribute to next year's Open Gardens event please contact Gordon Gray.