Fifth Gardens of Bookham Open Day

The Open Gardens of Bookham put on a really magnificent show for all who came to visit from far and wide.  Visitors were treated to a variety of delightfully different gardening styles, and were able to pick up tips and ideas from our friendly garden openers.  Down at the Little Bookham allotments the circus theme provided a colourful backdrop to the many productive plots, while Compost Works was on hand with helpful advice and information.  At the Grange Centre, I was warmly welcomed by one of the residents who showed me just how much could be grown in her one metre plot, and I even went away with parsley for my supper!

It was a lovely day with a record number of about 750 visitors and raised over £5,000 for the upkeep of the Old Barn Hall.  Refreshments at the Hall were so popular that we eventually ran out of cakes.  There are many thank you to be said.  We are immensely grateful to the garden openers, without whom this event would simply not have happened.  It was quite a leap of faith to even consider opening after the coldest winter for so many years.  Then there are the many volunteers who helped in so many different ways – ticket sellers, the many excellent cake makers, and those who worked so hard at the Barn Hall with refreshments and on the well stocked plant stall.  Our cheerful mini-bus drivers provided a most welcome service in vehicles kindly loaned by the 1st and 3rd Bookham Scout groups and Manor House School, and our car park attendants helped to fit a quart into a pint pot!  To all the allotment holders, to Compost Works, to the Grange Centre, and to all those who helped with a multitude of other tasks, we also extend our thanks.  Lastly, but by no means least, we are very grateful to our main sponsor, The Vineries Garden Centre, and to Bookham Grange Hotel for kindly sponsoring our transport.  It was a real community effort and we are truly grateful for everyone’s support.

If you enjoyed this year’s event and think that you might be interested in opening your garden, we should love to hear from you.  The prospect may seem a little daunting, but it’s actually great fun, and I think all of this year’s garden openers would agree that the smiles and compliments on the day itself make it all worthwhile.

Frances Poulton, on behalf of the Gardens of Bookham Open Day committee.