Open Gardens: The Forncetts - July 7th 2013

Forncett Open Gardens; Sunday 7th July 2013.

On Sunday July 7th, ten private gardens plus the Allotments at Forncett End and also St Mary's Church were 'open' from 11 am to 4 pm.

On one of the hottest days of the year and with 'opposition' from Andy Murray's Wimbledon Final, we wondered whether the turnout would be affected.  If it was ... we didn't really notice.  Despite the large distances between some of the gardens, an estimated 150 people visited the village and enjoyed the wide range of gardens open to view (in addition to Forncett St Mary Church and the Allotments at Forncett End).

The Village Hall was open for refreshments, toilets and plant sales, the majority having been gerenously donated by Jaime Blake of the Dell Garden, Bressingham, and others in the village. All net income from ticket sales, and from refreshments and plant sales at the Village Hall was in aid of Village Hall Funds, raising the handsome sum of .... to be confirmed - but expected to be in the region of £800.

Some gardens also sold plants and refreshments - funds raised from these went to good causes chosen by the garden owner.

All the garden owners were so busy that they forgot to take any photos!  At the moment we have just the one from John Webster, in which Ali Walker is showing off her roses to Margaret Webster, but If you have any others and are happy to submit them, please do so! 

Organised by the Forncett 'Diggers and Dibblers' Garden Club, with the addition of plenty of input from non-members, the event seems to have been much appreciated by visitors and the lovely array of cakes and savouries kept everyone going. Thanks are due to all who opened their gardens, who sold tickets and refreshments at the Village Hall and elsewhere and to those who made the refreshments and donated plants.  Thanks also to others responsible for publicity notices, posters, tickets. maps etc.  A magnficent joint effort!