Each year, Styvechale Open Gardens group opens their personal gardens as part of the National Garden Scheme to raise funds for charity. Local community members who love gardening open their gates to the public for one day a year, helping to generate vital funds.
Since supporting The Myton Hospices, the group has raised an impressive £24,000!
We invited them to visit our Coventry Myton Hospice and we were fortunate to be joined by a few of the members, including Ken and Pauline Bond, Fran and Jeff Gaught, Patricia Flynn, Ami Samra who opens her garden alongside her partner Rodger, and Rebecca Preston who also opens her garden alongside her husband Barry.
Ken and Pauline shared why they decided to participate:
One of our neighbours was an enthusiastic member of the group, and we saw it as a great opportunity to be involved. We joined and never looked back!
Although initially nervous, Ami talks about her positive experiences with the group:
We were so nervous before opening our garden as it’s more of a working kitchen garden with fruits and vegetables, not as pristine as others. But people were so complimentary, asking us questions about our spaces and thanking us for being open. It’s such a rewarding experience.
Patricia added:
Visitors appreciate realistic gardens, something that’s achievable for them to recreate. We have such a variety of gardens open as well, that there’s something for every taste!
Rebecca commented on how gardening and being part of the Styvechale Open Gardens helps her mental and physical wellbeing:
It’s a place where I can relax and escape. It’s my own green space in the city. Connecting with likeminded individuals and raising money for such a great cause, like Myton, is a win-win! And Myton is such a worthy local charity to support.
Fran and Jeff Gaught encourage anyone thinking about sharing their garden next year:
If anyone’s on their garden fence about giving it a go, please don’t hesitate to get involved! It’s a delightful day in early British summer enjoyed by both the gardeners and their visitors.
Fran and Ken are also volunteer gardeners at Coventry Myton Hospice, ensuring our grounds are as beautiful as possible for our patients and their families to enjoy.
We can’t thank them enough for their wonderful support!
Claire McDowell, Coventry Fundraising and Front of House Lead, said:
We are so grateful to each and every member of the Styvechale Open Gardens for sharing their beautiful spaces and raising vital funds for Myton. This year, we have to raise £11 million to continue providing our services free of charge and we couldn’t do this without the amazing support from groups like Styvechale Open Gardens.
If you are local to Styvechale and Cheylesmore and want to share your garden with the community, you can contact Fran at styvechalegardens@gmail.com.
If you are interested in joining our amazing volunteer gardeners find out more HERE!
