June's garden is the top choice among open day visitors

Posted on June 20, 2007

A blooming good time was had by all at the open gardens event in Eaton Bray, Edlesborough and Northall.

And more than £4,000 for good causes was raised from the day, organised by members of St Mary's Church in Eaton Bray. Of that cash, £1,400 was raised for church repair funds, and £2,800 for the Chilterns MS Centre.

Hundreds of visitors toured 10 open gardens, which ranged from tiny, beautifully tended areas to some with rampant semi-wild sections - and even one with a medieval moat.

The visitors could also drop by at the Memorial Hall in Edlesborough, to buy plants, enjoy refreshments and vote for their favourite garden.

June Trott's garden, pictured, in Moor End was The People's Choice winner, attracting 40 per cent of the votes cast.

All of the gardens involved received votes in The People's Choice event, sponsored by Kevin Yeomans, of the Garden Scene garden centre in The Rye, Eaton Bray. It was only the second year that the open gardens event had been run, but it has already become an important date on the local calendar.

Villagers are already volunteering to open their gardens for next year's event, which will take place on Sunday, June 8.

St Mary's has adopted the MS centre as its main charity fundraising project this year, and church members hope to raise more money for the centre later this year.

For more photos, see Open Gardens 2007.

Source: Dunstable Gazette, 20 June 2007