GARDENERS across the Staffordshire Moorlands are digging in and getting ready for this years Open Gardens events.
Every year gardeners across the country throw open their doors as part of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) Open Gardens event, which last year raised £2.6 million for various charities.
Ian and June Sellers who own Moorfield, Post Lane, Endon, ST9 9DU, are opening their garden on Sunday, July 14, from 1.30pm until 5pm. Visitors are also welcome by appointment between June and August, contact 01782 504096. Admission is £3 for adults, children go free.
The couple have taken part in the event for the past six years. Mrs Sellers said: “Usually the gate money goes to the NGS and the other money we raise from the plant sales and teas goes to the air ambulance or Endon and Brown Edge First Responders.
“I attend the Garden Guild at Longsdon and it started after they wanted someone to open their garden.
“I decided to open ours for them to see, which I’d done a couple of times before, and the chairman asked if I’d thought about entering the NGS Open Gardens.
“I said no initially, as I didn’t think the garden would be up to the standard, but she said that it was.
“So, she rang the organisation and arranged for the Staffordshire representatives to come out and see us and decide whether the garden was suitable and they said it was. That’s how we got into it.
“I’ve always been a keen gardener and flower arranger, my forte is herbaceous borders.
“Before we moved to where we are 24 years ago we didn’t have much of a garden, so I really got into it after that.”
Other gardens opening in the district include: Alton Towers, which is opening to the public for the second time as part of the NGS Open Gardens event.
The Resort’s gardens were one of the first in Staffordshire to open for the NGS in 1932, but since then they have only been available to visitors paying full price to visit the Alton Towers theme park, or staying at its hotels.
Alton Towers rejoined the NGS last year to help celebrate its 85th anniversary, having been started in 1927 by the Queen's Nursing Institute to raise funds to support district nurses, which it was responsible for until the introduction of the NHS in 1948.
Entry will be granted for one day only on Friday, June 14, from 3.30pm until 6pm, via a one-mile woodland walk from the Alton Towers Hotel. Admission of £4 for adults and children go free. For information contact 01538 703344.
Biddulph Grange Gardens, Grange Road, Biddulph, ST8 7SD, owned by the National Trust, is open on Saturday, June 15, from 11am until 5.30pm. Contact 01782 517999 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk for information. Admission is £7 for adults, £3.50 for children.
Brooklyn, Gratton Lane, Endon, ST9 9AA, owned by Janet and Steve Howell is open on Sunday, June 30, from 12 noon until 5pm. Admission is £3 for adults, children go free.
Colour Mill, Winkhill, ST13 7PR, owned by Bob and Jackie Pakes, is open on Sunday, July 7, and Thursday, August 22, from 1.30pm until 5.30pm. Visitors are also welcome by appointment between July and September. Contact 01538 308680 or email robert.pakes@virgin.net or visit http://colourmill.webplus.net to book or for information. Admission is £3 for adults, children go free.
