Open Gardens raises £6,000 for charities

​Hundreds of people took the opportunity to explore some of Maidenhead’s hidden gems this weekend as garden owners opened their gates to the public in aid of charity.

Organised by Maidenhead Rotary Club, and now in its third year, the Open Gardens event on Saturday and Sunday saw 21 gardens of all types and sizes across the area open to more than 400 visitors.

The weekend raised an estimated £6,000 for good causes including Maidenhead Foodshare, Thames Hospice, Maidenhead Mencap and the Thames Valley Adventure Playground.

​This year saw several new gardens taking part alongside old favourites. Many sold refreshments and plants in aid of individual charities while others hosted live music or showcased the work of local artists.

​Open Gardens organiser Rotarian Janet Perry said: “The event is a real celebration of the great British love affair with gardening. We hope our visitors found lots of inspiration and were able to share their 

passion for plants with the garden owners who were on hand to answer questions and give advice.”
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On Sunday Maidenhead MP Theresa May visited Four Winds, a garden in Littlewick Green owned by Ginny Hayes which includes wild areas to encourage biodiversity.

​Mrs May said: “This is a wonderful example of a hidden garden. When you walk past you do not realise what an amazing garden it is with so much variety. The Open Gardens weekend not only raises funds for important charities, it gives people the opportunity to see beautiful gardens such as this around the area.”
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Maidenhead Rotary Club President Mary Spinks said: “It was great to welcome Theresa May to this year’s Open Gardens and to thank her for supporting the event every year. We also owe an enormous thank-you to Braywick Heath Nurseries who sold the entry badges and to the owners of the participating gardens and volunteers who all work so hard to make the event such a success.”