After months of tending to seedlings, nurturing cuttings, upkeeping shrubs, weeding borders, mowing lawns and encouraging wildflower meadows, gardeners across Surrey and Hampshire welcomed visitors to their gardens, in Phyllis Tuckwell’s 2022 Open Gardens event, which raised over £9,800 for local hospice care.
The event began in June and included 14 beautiful gardens in Frensham, Churt, Cranleigh, Fleet and Farnham. Some were smaller cottage gardens with winding paths and small ornamental ponds, while others were larger, with wild ponds, orchards, streams and meadows for visitors to wander through. Many of the gardens sold refreshments, and hundreds of cups of tea were served, while sales of homemade cakes also helped to boost the money raised. Some gardens sold plants too, and one also organised a tombola.
“£9,800 is an amazing amount of money, enough to pay for nearly three months’ care from one of our Hospice Care at Home nurses, who care for patients who have chosen to spend their last days, and to die, at home,” said Jenny Newman, Community Fundraiser at Phyllis Tuckwell. “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who opened their gardens and all those who went along to visit them. If you would like to take part in our 2023 Open Gardens event, we would love to hear from you. Please call us on 01252 729446 or email [email protected].”
Linda and her neighbour Christine opened their gardens in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell. Linda said: “I persuaded my neighbour to open her garden as it is a lovely cottage garden. I opened mine to show people that you can still have a nice garden when you have a springer spaniel. It was a lovely afternoon and it was nice that it wasn’t as hectic as my annual plant sale so gave us time to answer questions and talk to people. I would definitely do it again!”
If you’re feeling inspired and want to snap up a few bargains for your own garden, why not pop along to Phyllis Tuckwell’s plant sale this Sunday, 4th Sept, from 10am-1pm at the Hospice in Farnham. These monthly plant sales take place on the first Sunday of every month, from April to October, and have hundreds of plants on sale at low prices – just the thing to get your garden looking fabulous again after the long, hot summer. All of the money raised goes directly towards helping fund the supportive and end of life care which Phyllis Tuckwell provides for local patients and families living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer. Phyllis Tuckwell’s volunteers will also be on hand at the sales and can offer general advice.
Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice is situated on the corner of Waverley Lane and Menin Way, Farnham, GU9 8BL, and is fully wheelchair accessible. For more information on the plant sales, call 01252 729446, email [email protected] or visit our website.
If you have any plants which you would like to donate to be sold in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell, please email [email protected] and a member of the team will get in touch with you.