St Clare’s Open Gardens comes to Harlow this summer

THIS summer, St Clare Hospice’s perennially popular Open Gardens event is back for its 25th year, with eight wonderful, local green spaces still set to open throughout the Harlow area.

Sponsored by generous local security company, Land Sheriffs, Open Gardens 2019 is Open Gardens 2019 is the perfect opportunity to explore local gardens over the summer season throughout Harlow and Epping Forest. The next round of gardens opening in Harlow throughout June include:

Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd June 2019: 101 Blackbush Spring, 49 Finchmoor, 27 Finchmoor – £5

Saturday 29th June 2019: 31 Red Lion Crescent, Harlow, CM17 9BN – £3

Sunday 30th June 2019: 180, 176 & 58 Bishopsfield, 31 Red Lion Crescent – £5

In addition, opening on Saturday 22nd June is the Willingale Road Allotments in Loughton (entry £3), and on Sunday 23rd June eleven gardens in Thornwood, Epping (entry £5) will open their gates – so it’s the perfect time to plan an Open Gardens road trip throughout Epping Forest and Harlow! Please visit stclarehospice.org.uk/opengardens for full details on dates and locations.

On Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th August, the last Open Garden of the season will open at Goosebury Hall, Epping Green, CM16 6QN – an annual favourite for fans of the event. Entry is £10 which will include a delicious afternoon tea or lunch.

A free guidebook, which includes details of each of the participating gardens or groups of gardens and the cost of entry, is available in any of the nine St Clare Hospice charity shops, or at the Hospice Reception in Hastingwood.

Christine Walkden, BBC One Show Gardener and Patron of St Clare, said: “Giving support to St Clare through visiting one of the Open Gardens in the scheme is an excellent way to pick up some great gardening ideas and learn from other local gardeners, who have similar gardening conditions to your own.

“I have visited many gardens through such schemes in the past and this as added greatly to my knowledge, and given me inspiration for changes to my own gardens or those of my clients. I can confidently state that a visit to one or several gardens will be a rewarding experience and your support shows the garden owner that their efforts and time are valued. They themselves enjoy sharing their gardens with you, along with a cup of tea and a cake!

“Please take the time to enjoy the benefits of such a great scheme and show the garden owners that they are valued, as is the support you will give to your local hospice.”

Open Gardens event organisers at St Clare are hoping to raise more than £5,000 for the Hospice across the summer season. Entry to participating gardens is payable on the gate and tea, cakes, lunches and plants to buy are available in many of the gardens.

Tyler LeMay, Managing Director of Land Sheriffs, said “We’re delighted to be supporting this fantastic event, helping people to open up their wonderful gardens for the public to enjoy, all to benefit the great work that St Clare Hospice does, at its Hastingwood site and in the local community. We are dedicated to nurturing long-term partnerships with local businesses, and within our local Essex community; sponsoring this event is our way of celebrating our commitment to the local community.”

For more information, please contact St Clare’s Community Fundraising Manager, Dani on 01279 773738 or email [email protected]