open for the National Gardens Scheme
1.30 - 5pm - Admission £3.50 - Children free - Teas - plants for sale - not suitable for wheelchairs - Sorry no dogs.
Proceeds of entrance fee, brochure sales, plant sales all go to the NGS.
Tea money this year will go towards a new Zanzibar Nurses Guide book.
The National Gardens Scheme in Shropshire
The National Gardens Scheme started in 1927 as a way of raising money to fund district nurses, in the days before the NHS. Owners of grand estates were encouraged to open their garden gates to the general public for a “shilling a head”, an unheard of idea in the days of social divisions. But the idea took off and the charity has been growing from strength to strength since then. Outside the London area, the estate owners in Shropshire were one of the best supporters of the idea and several gardens that opened in 1927 are still opening for NGS today.
In 2013, Shropshire had one of its best fund-raising years, raising more than £60,000 through the generosity of private garden owners opening their gates to the public. This money goes to a central fund and is distributed by a board of trustees. A very high proportion - nearly 90% - of the monies raised goes directly to NGS charities, as the running costs are kept to a minimum with a small head office and a group of over 350 volunteers at county level.
In 2014, the small group of 6 county volunteers together with the generous garden owners of Shropshire will have 79 open days across 42 gardens, ranging from large country estates to small town gardens – all being gardens of quality and character. The charity relies solely on the generosity of private garden owners willing to open their gates to the public and a large network of volunteers.
Nationally, in 2013, NGS distributed £2.1million to the following charities:
- Macmillan Cancer Support
- Marie Curie Cancer Care
- Help The Hospices
- Carers Trust
- Queen’s Nursing Institute
- National Trust Gardening Careerships
- Parkinson’s UK
- Perennial (The Gardener’s Benevolent Fund)
- The Garden Museum
In 2014, 3800 gardens will open nationwide for the charity; over the last 10 years, NGS has donated £22 million to charity.
So, enjoy a day out, with a lovely homemade tea, in a beautiful Shropshire garden AND help raise money for these worthwhile charities in 2014. Thanks for your support.
Alison Walter
We look forward to seeing you on your bike or on your feet.
-- Yoland Brown Brownhill House B&B, Ruyton XI Towns, nr. Shrewsbury SY4 1LR ShACC - Shropshire Alternative Car Club www.eleventowns.co.uk www.eleventowns.com www.ShACC-uk.org Tel: 01939 261 121 Fax: 01939 260626
