The St Mary’s Hospital almshouses in Chichester opened up the gates to their beautiful gardens as part of the National Gardens Scheme this July.
The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,600 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales, and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake. Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors, the National Garden Scheme has donated over £60 million to nursing and health charities. The National Garden Scheme doesn’t just open beautiful gardens for charity – they are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too. They also support charities doing amazing work in gardens and health and grant bursaries to help community gardening projects.
Over the 2 days, St Mary’s Hospital almshouse trustees, staff and residents welcomed 310 visitors raising £1,553.05 for the NGS health, mental health & gardening charities with the refreshments stall raising £347.00 in donations to St Mary’s.
Scheme Manager, Monica Winnett , who sent us in these stunning photos (mostly taken by Mrs Vivien Ruddock) writes:
Monica welcoming guests“This was a real community effort  – the setting up was done by me,  the gardens are single-handedly cared for by Ray Winnett,  who is also responsible for the maintenance here and the refreshments stall was run entirely by residents on both days, who reported that they thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with visitors and were delighted with the money raised.Â
Our Custos (Chaplain) Canon Bruce Ruddock was also on hand on the Saturday to speak to visitors and muck in as needed”.
Such a brilliant demonstration of a community working together!
Monica is hoping that they will soon be able to reopen for the monthly tours they offer to members of the public – we hope so too, those gardens really need to be shown off!
Ray Winnett, the man with the green fingers!Posted July 21
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