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Glorious Open Gardens in Clare
In the autumn of 2007 the Clare in Bloom Committee realised that the grant from St Edmundsbury Council would probably be reduced for the fourth-consecutive year. As a fund raising idea we began to plan ‘Clare Open Gardens’.
We approached people who might be willing to open their gardens and with great enthusiasm from garden owners we very quickly had 15 gardens on our list. We were very lucky to have had such a variety of gardens from a small courtyard packed with mainly bedding plants to some of the largest manicured and wildest gardens in Clare.
Jackson's Garden Services gave us plants at cost price and Pauger's Nursery set up stall in one of the gardens.
We called upon all our regular band of volunteers and many, many more people to help garden owners on the day, to sell tickets, sell plants, make cakes and tea, and put up signs. Again our helpers ranged from 8 to 85 years of age. Fair Trade coffee, tea and sugar were kindly donated by the Co-op in Clare.
The weather was beautiful, warm and sunny and from noon until 6pm, Clare was buzzing with visitors and townspeople coming to enjoy the amazing gardens in Clare. The atmosphere throughout Clare was full of warmth and laughter and the scent of flowers. The strawberry and cream sponges couldn’t be assembled quickly enough. One visitor shared her 99th birthday with us!
We could not have wished for a more successful day, not only for Clare in Bloom and its funds but also for the benefit of the whole town as we were able to show Clare at its very best.
We have received many, many positive, helpful and constructive comments and press coverage. despite the enormous amount of hard work, Clare Open Gardens may become a regular feature in the Clare calendar.
Date : 03-07-2008
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