Blooming success for Wisbech St Mary Open Gardens as they raise more than £2,000 for charity

Beautiful gardens in bloom across Wisbech St Mary raised more than £2,000 for charity – the most in the event’s 15 year history.

The money raised by the open gardens will be split between Breast Cancer Unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn and the Wisbech St Mary Church Restoration Fund.

Every year the event gets more popular, with more than 300 visitors exploring ten gardens of the village normally hidden from the public, travelling from as far as Cambridge, Peterborough area, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Blooming pots, hanging baskets, ponds and water features, cottage gardens, and new this year - falconry demonstrations - also attracted lots of interest.

Nature quizzes kept adults and children busy, while others sat relaxing in the gardens enjoying delicious cream teas, homemade cakes and wood fired cooked pizzas.

Raffles and plants sales also raised money for the charities.

Organisers, Jayne and Richard Walpole, were delighted with the turn out and generosity of people who spent Sunday enjoying a wide mix of gardens.

The church was also open and visitors enjoyed an organ recital and exhibition of local historical photographs.

“We really enjoyed the day, we come every year and there’s always something new and interesting to see. There’s no better way to spend a Sunday than relaxing in beautiful gardens enjoying delicious homemade cake,” said one visitor.

Jayne said: “Ask an Expert’ run by a team of horticultural specialists – Ann Purt, Sally Jarrett, Brian Ley and Richard Walpole at Tulsa House gardens brought lots of visitors getting their questions answered, plants and diseases identified.

“We were absolutely delighted that the Beauvale Ensemble group kindly volunteered and played beautiful live music.”

“It was such a success that we plan to offer this advice service again next year.”

The gardeners are already planning next year’s event, with the 2019 date due to be released in due course.

Anyone interested in taking part in next year’s event should contact Jayne Walpole on 07584 341160.