National Garden Scheme Gwent recently announced that, despite an obviously difficult year, they managed to raise an amazing £44,802 for charity.
Gwent organiser Cathy Davies reported the figure at an end-of-year event for garden owners held at Llanover Garden by kind permission of keen gardener Elizabeth Murray.
Highfield Farm in Goytre had a particularly good year. Owner Jenny Lloyd said,
‘It was thanks to the sale of plants from the garden which raised over £4000. And all the gardens benefitted from the generous support of local gardening, WI and u3a groups. It’s a lot of hard work but so worth it.’
Gwent organiser Cathy Davies was equally pleased.
‘It’s all thanks to our volunteers who work so hard to make the garden openings happen throughout the year. Several Open Days had to be re-arranged this summer as we went in and out of lockdown but all our visitors said how lovely it was to be able to get out and visit places again. And there’s nothing like being out in the fresh air in a lovely, interesting garden to raise our spirits.’
Originally set up in 1927 to support district nurses, NGS now raises millions of pounds for nursing and health charities each year. In 2020, they donated a total of £3.15m. They also support charities doing amazing work in gardens and health, grant bursaries to help community gardening projects and support gardeners at the start of their career.
The meeting of garden owners heard from Charlie Thomas who works for Marie Curie, one of the beneficiaries of NGS fundraising. She told the group of some of the broader work Marie Curie now provides in the community. (photo attached, courtesy of Elizabeth Murray)
Work is now starting on organising next year’s Open Days when several new gardens will be open for the first time. ‘We will be trying very hard,’ said Cathy, ‘to at least equal and hopefully better this year’s magnificent total.’
