Throughout the year, all of our beautiful gardens will be opening their gates to raise money for the National Garden Scheme and Scotland’s Garden Scheme. Four open days have taken place so far, with another four planned in the second half of 2024.
Our first National Garden Scheme open day took place on Sunday 12 May in Horatio’s Garden London & South East. The garden was a hive of activity with 12 volunteers and over 100 visitors – still, the garden’s design meant people were still able to tuck themselves away and enjoy the calming effect of the space. Gentle steel pan music was playing while visitors enjoyed tea and a selection of volunteer-made cakes. Among those visiting was Flo Hedlam, noted garden designer and star of tv show Garden Rescue! The day raised over £1,300 for the garden itself, and over £500 for the National Garden Scheme.
The following weekend, Horatio’s Garden Wales hosted its own open day in support of the National Garden Scheme, taking place on Saturday 18 May. One of our smaller spaces, the garden welcomed around 50 guests on the day including Janey Howell, the High Sheriff of South Glamorgan. A wonderful selection of cakes were baked by Jill, the garden’s star baking volunteer, alongside some generously donated cupcakes. Other volunteers provided homemade chutney, marmalade, and lemon curd. A small selection of crafts were available to buy alongside items from the Horatio’s Garden Shop, among which the Emma Bridgewater Apple Blossom mugs were especially popular! The event raised around £250 for the National Garden Scheme, with a further £700 raised for Horatio’s Garden Wales itself.
Horatio’s Garden Midlands hosted its own National Garden Scheme open day on Saturday 1 June. 25 volunteers came to help on the day, supporting the 250 guests who visited the garden! Plants, refreshments and homemade crafts were on offer, alongside official charity merchandise. The event was soundtracked by a trio of jazz musicians, who provided smooth musical accompaniment from 2-3pm. Ticket sales raised £1,180 for the National Garden Scheme, with a further £2,200 raised for the garden specifically.
Most recently, Horatio’s Garden South West opened its gates on Saturday 8 June. A large number of guests attended, enjoying wonderful cakes and crafts handmade by Horatio’s Garden volunteers. A large number of plants were on sale, some cultivated in Horatio’s Garden South West and some transplanted from the charity’s recent tradestand at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024. Horatio’s Garden merchandise was also on sale, including a number of new items like canvas bags, dog leads, and Grow Bars. The total amounts raised for both the garden and for the National Garden Scheme are currently being calculated – it was definitely a highly successful day!
With four open days still to come over the year, we are looking forward to welcoming more guests to our gardens! Our future open days will take place in Horatio’s Garden Scotland on Sunday 1 September; in Horatio’s Garden London & South East on Sunday 15 September; in Horatio’s Garden Stoke Mandeville on Saturday 28 September; and in Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland on Sunday 13 October. To browse all our upcoming events, click here.
