Visitors flood in to enjoy Ruddington’s Open Gardens!

Ruddington Open Gardens was a great success for our village with more than £6,000 raised for two children’s charities.

Of the 16 private gardens open, 10 were those of Ruddington Gardeners’ Association members and all said they were amazed by the popularity of the event and the number of visitors over the two days.  

Many were forced to stop counting the number of guest as they flooded into their plots. 

Open Gardens organisers Jane Piggott, Chris Marriott and Mike Davey, estimated between 500 and 600 people visited for the fourth Ruddington fund-raiser for charities Save the Children and Action for Children.

It was a great opportunity for garden owners to offer tips on growing plants and the advice was welcomed by all. 

Many visitors were interested in the story of the development of the gardens and why certain plants had been chosen. 

Visitors were guided to the gardens by maps in their £5 programmes and by roadside signs kindly supplied by Thomas James Estate Agents.

Ruddington Gardeners’ Association chairman Mike Davey sold plants on his driveway while his wife Linda made cream teas. Other stalls were those of Nottingham Country Market, Mater Mushrooms and Steve Crawford with his wood turning.

Mike commented: “We had steady sales of shrubs, bedding plants and vegetables and was kept busy answering questions about the plants and the garden.

“It was such a pleasure to be raising money for two great charities. Linda nearly sold out of strawberries for the cream teas. 

“The sun came out on the Sunday which helped make it a most enjoyable and worthwhile weekend.”

Organising committee member Jane Piggott said “The huge success was thanks to the tremendous support of local gardeners and allotment holders, village businesses, the Ruddington Yarn Ninjas, the Methodist Church and St Peter’s Church, and our main sponsor, Ridge Clean Energy. 

“We were also extremely lucky to have a weekend of dry and sometimes sunny weather!”

In all, 21 locations were open for the event, from private gardens, churches, allotment plots, cafes, the Country Cottage Hotel and the Framework Knitters Museum.