BORDERS have been weeded, hanging baskets watered and cakes baked ready for a special midsummer gardens event.

The 15 gardens, all in March, cover a huge variety of sizes and styles and they are being opened up to the public by their owners to raise money for the St Mary’s Church restoration fund.

Owners have been hard at work making sure everything is ready for Saturday and Sunday when they hope to welcome lots of visitors.

Refreshments, lunches and teas are available at some of the gardens so visitors can plan their schedules to take in some wonderful food as they enjoy the outdoors.

Entrance is by programmes costing �2.50, which admits one person and includes all gardens. Accompanied children will be admitted free. Programmes are available at the Cambs Times office at 51 High Street, March.

The event is being organised by George and Margery Payne and they are opening their garden in Middle Road. Mr and Mrs Payne have a large country garden with trees, shrubs, flower borders, fruit, a small pond and a summer house.

The couple have gardened organically for 20 years and have deep beds for vegetables, many of them heritage varieties,

In Elm Road Audrey Hindle has a ‘haphazard’ garden with trees, flowers, plants and lawns. Mrs Hindle will be selling paintings and running a tombola.

The Rev Jenny Webb and Betty South in Wherry Close have a small, easy maintenance town garden with patio, well-stocked flower beds, water features and sculptures. They will be serving ice-creams on both days and lunches Saturday costing �5 for two courses. Bookings for lunches can be made by calling 01354 650855.

At The Rectory in St Peter’s Road, the Rev Anthony Chandler and his wife Helen have a large garden with many interesting plants. They will be serving Sunday lunches which can be booked by calling 01354 652894.

Judith and Harry Rooke are opening their split level garden complete with summer house and rock garden in Cavalry Drive. They are serving barbecue food Saturday from 6-9pm at a cost of �5. E-mail Judith.rooke@btinternet.com to book.

Pat and Trevor Quince of Milner Close have a large, mixed garden. They will be serving a buffet supper on Sunday for �4. Book by calling 01354 653761.

At The Laurels in High Street, Jane and Ian Groome are organising a tombola, stalls and party games. There will be cream teas.