OPEN GARDENS 2016

Here we look back at the Open Gardens in 2016

2016 REPORT

Once again Langford pulled out all the stops on Sunday 12th June for The NGS Gardens Open Day which we hold every two years. We had 25 gardens on view this year, our old stalwarts and some new owners too. The weather had a been a huge worry and I spent a lot of Saturday and Sunday morning talking to St Matthew to remind him that we were doing this for his Church as well as the NGS charities. However all morning the village was a buzz of activity and it was such a relief when the rain stopped around 11.30 and gradually a weak and watery sun came out.
My worries were unfounded as visitors streamed into the car park. The gate money goes to the NGS charities and our stalls and teas are organised for the benefit of St Matthew’s. We are lucky to have lots of volunteers, too many to mention here and without them we couldn’t manage as well as we do. This year Nicky Marshall’s plant stall was an early stop for many. This year she surpassed herself, the stall was packed with wonderful plant bargains and lots of other garden bits and pieces which were snapped up. Next door Linda Moore and Elaine Taylor’s smiling presence saw the cake and produce stall swiftly cleared. Kay Lane and her fantastic team in the village hall did a brisk trade offering tea and cakes to all comers. Kay always manages to make the hall so cosy and pretty with eye catching little table decorations and pretty table cloths, many of which had been embroidered by the late Phyllis Lafford.
At Pember House, the whole Potter family were out in force for the garden teas. In case of rain, a marquee had been erected, the Jazz Band were oomp pahing, and as the sun kept shining the teas were being served thick and fast. This year the Raffle prizes were Garden Vouchers with a few extra items added and our Hollywood neighbours the Montys, Richard Matthews and Chrissy Tinson managed to do the hard sell. St Matthew’s itself was full of the most glorious flower arrangements, Doreen Lowden and Rachel Range had surpassed themselves.
As ever, Langford’s garden owners did a magnificent job. Every garden was perfection in its own way. The roses for which we are quite famous looked and smelt wonderful, herbaceous borders were a blaze of colour and lawns looked like bowling greens! What a huge amount of hard work had gone into creating such perfection. Owners are so self-critical and never think they have done quite enough however the delight and interest and compliments from our visitors brought home to us all just how very lucky we are to live in such a lovely environment like Langford and I can’t thank them enough for opening their gardens once again.
Overall we raised just over £4000, a remarkable feat considering that the Shilton gardens were also open that same day and also that there were lots of other events taking place all over the country on that weekend to celebrate the Queen’s birthday. At the end of a long and hectic afternoon, most of the owners and helpers not too exhausted by the day’s efforts got together at Lower Farm House, to celebrate our success and toasted not only ourselves but also our generous hosts Mark and Sarah Templeman. A superb way to end the day.