The NGS Open Garden Scheme Locally
THE NGS OPEN GARDEN
SCHEME LOCALLY
Once again, thank goodness, the weather is starting to dry up and let us out into the garden. For many of us, the bulbs we planted last autumn (or maybe years ago) are popping up and reminding us that they’ve just been waiting for a bit of sun and warmth, and of course the grass has started to grow, making us wonder if the lawn mower needs a service. For those of us that open our gardens for the NGS, we worry if everything will look good in the garden, will the sun shine, will the cakes rise and will the visitors come.
Last year the NGS raised a record amount of money in the UK meaning that over £3.4million could be donated to charity. The main beneficiaries are MacMillan cancer support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, and The Queen’s Nursing Institute, carers trust and Parkinson’s UK. Smaller donations are given to Horatio’s garden, Maggie’s, the army benevolent fund, Mencap, Sue Ryder, and Thrive. There are also garden charities that benefit including The National Botanic Garden of Wales. And all this happens because ordinary people open their gardens and visitors come, admire, and eat cake!
Visiting the NGS website should guide you to many of the small gems open in Glamorgan and Gwent, as well as those further afield. There are group gardens in Penarth (June 15th and 16th), Dinas Powis (July 6th and 7th), and Creigiau (June 23rd). Horatios garden in Llandough Hospital and Maggies at Singleton open on May 18th, and illustrate the results of the charity’s work. Many others, including Gileston Manor (Aprl 28th), Llandough Castle (open by arrangement), and Maes y Wertha (July 14th) where live music is promised, are bound to provide a glorious summer afternoon, all complimented by home made cakes, teas and coffee. In addition there are lots of individual city, suburban and country gardens to inspire you, and enjoy. Just look for the yellow sign, visit the website, or pick up a brochure from Tesco or the post office.
My own garden in Dyffryn is open April 21st for blossom and tulips, if hopefully they haven’t drowned, and again with my neighbour Rozanne, June 2nd for roses etc. We are looking forward to seeing lots of visitors, new and returning, enjoying themselves, eating cake and raising record amounts for these very worthy charities.
Janet Evans