Nature

Melbourn Open Gardens 2016

The sun shone, the tea flowed and Melbourn was filled with people looking for the next garden on the list. Melbourn Open Gardens was held on 11th September and we could not have wished for a nicer day.

Seven gardens and the St George’s Allotments opened. The gardens were of all shapes and sizes, and showed why autumn is still a good time to be in the garden. There might not be the fullon co lour of high summer but with berries and the first leaves beginning to change colour, the reds, yellows and oranges of autumn flowers were complemented. David Hone, a Melbourn photographer, visited all the gardens to record the event.

At the Allotments, the harvest was in full swing. There was a huge demand for home-made cakes – some made from allotment produce! Most of the visitors had not been to the allotments before, and some did not even know they existed. The Community Allotment was on show – again, people learned of its existence and some volunteered to help look after it.

Another part of Melbourn for people to discover was the Community Garden in the High Street. This is looked after by Anita Cook on behalf of the Parish Council, and is a wonderful village amenity.

The event raised a wonderful £600 to be donated to local good causes via Melbourn Fete Committee, and St George’s Allotment Society raised money too. Feedback from the visitors was excellent, and those opening their gardens also enjoyed the event. So Melbourn Open Gardens will be back in September 2017.

If you are interested in opening your garden, please contact Julie Norman (01763 263462 or julienorman6@gmail.com)

Photography by David L Hone LRPS -– www.dhimages.co.uk