SEVERAL gardens in one village are opening up for the first time this Sunday, June 27, to raise funds for good causes.
The plots, in the former mining village of Ansley, will be welcoming people as part of the National Garden Scheme which generates cash for Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and the Queen’s Nursing Institute.
The gardens are varied with three of them offering sweeping views of neighbouring fields and one, at an Old Police House owned by retired headteacher Hilary Ward, features peony and clematis-rich borders.
A 36-year-old garden in Birmingham Road owned by Adrian and Heather Norgrove is 36 years old and boasts rare plants and another, owned by retired nursery nurse and Morris dancer Pat Arrowsmith, is a ‘picturesque haven’.
The most compact one is a 10ft by 12ft new-built ‘Gallery View’ plot owned by Joanna Harze.
She said: “It was my passion for food that got me into growing all this produce, from cauliflower and strawberries to chocolate jalapeño, and help create a real gardening community.”
In Nuthurst Crescent, veteran maths teacher Roger Greaves and wife Heather’s garden boasts over 50 richly-planted pots, while at 188 Birmingham Road, a colourful tropical theme awaits the visitor.
Village organiser Janet Downe MBE has a rose garden at her home which was originally built to house teachers employed at the local school for miners’ children.
“All our garden owners are so full of enthusiasm for the NGS and really looking forward to welcoming visitors on the day.
“Quite a few of the 25 different roses we grow here we bought to remember people who were dear to us.”
Click here for more on Ansley Gardens from the NGS website.
