Many hospices open up their gardens during the summer to help raise awareness of the work they do, and raise money.
St Peter’s Hospice – like its gardens – is full of life, laughter and colour and the hospice feels that it is important to welcome people into its beautiful gardens so they can see for themselves that the hospice isn’t a dark, dingy or depressing place.
This Saturday and Sunday, those braving the drizzle to visit the hospice garden were able to sample some of the lovely cakes sold by the hospice’s coffee shop, take part in a raffle and hear the St Peter’s Hospice community choir – made up of staff, volunteers, supporters and patients.
Last weekend (6 and 7 June) saw the third annual National Gardens Festival Weekend, where gardens of all shapes and sizes across England and Wales welcome visitors to help raise money for the National Gardens Scheme.
NGS has donated more than £3 million in support of Hospice UK and hospice care since 1997.
During the festival weekend, a number of people from Hospice UK went out to visit their local gardens.
Emma visited a group of gardens just two streets away from where she lives in Lower Clapton, Hackney. “I think what I was struck by the most was how peaceful and calm the gardens felt, despite being in the middle of a really busy area – you couldn’t even hear the traffic!” She commented.
“It was a great day for wondering around gardens in the sunshine, eating cake, drinking wine and taking in the lovely floral scents. I’m so impressed by all the hard work put in to making these gardens look beautiful and I’m really grateful that garden owners decide to open for the NGS – allowing local people without a garden an opportunity to enjoy the serenity of one and for helping to raise lots of money for hospice care, of course.”
Amelia and Sara-Jane visited Nettlestead Place in Kent. “It was a gorgeously sunny day, so perfect the weather for taking a drive and enjoying the great outdoors!” commented Amelia. “There was so much to see – from water features to statues, as well as the brightest, prettiest roses! And after ambling around the beautiful gardens, I treated myself to a slice of homemade plum tart! I would highly recommend a trip there and am looking forward to next year’s festival weekend already!”
Sara-Jane added: “I loved that there were so many different sections to the grounds and it felt as though there was almost something different around every corner to discover. The grounds were lovely and the summer weather certainly helped as lots of people came to enjoy the gardens.”
You don’t have to wait until next year to enjoy some great gardens and help raise money for hospice care – gardens across the country open up throughout the year.
Later this summer both Trinity Hospice in Clapham and the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted will open their gardens to the public – on the 1 and 2 August and 6 September respectively.
Visit the NGS website to find out when your local gardens will be open.
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