A HIDDEN garden trail raised thousands of pounds for a town's development trust.
Hexham Community Partnership, the town's development trust, organised the Hexham Hidden Gardens event which took place on Sunday, June 9.
The trust thanked volunteers who participated in the organisation's annual fundraising event, which was attended by approximately 600 people.
Janie French, from Hexham Community Partnership, said: “Hidden Gardens raised over £3,700, which is even more than last year. There were 12 stops on the trail and the work that went into getting them ready for the fundraiser was tremendous. We’re very grateful for the hard work of the gardeners – it was such a happy day with people enjoying the trail in the sun.”
Several stops on the walking trail, which was around five and a half miles long this year, offered refreshments.
Ms French said: “Sales of plants and refreshments play a big part in the fundraising and gardeners recruited friends and neighbours to help them to ply visitors with tea and homemade cakes, so huge thanks to those volunteers too.”
Hexham Hidden Gardens has a strong community element, so in addition to several stunning private gardens, the 2024 trail included Hexham Community Garden, Hexham Abbey’s Refectory Garden, the new Jubilee Garden at Hexham Community Centre and the Glade Border in Hexham House’s grounds, which has been transformed by Hexham Space 4 Nature.
READ MORE: Connect with nature at Northumberlandia's Big Wild Saturday
Property developer Tom Heaney opened his garden for the first time this year. He said: “We had a very busy day, but it was great fun too. It made it more special having the help of friends from the local gym supporting the day and our pop-up ‘café’.
"It was wonderful to get to know new friendly faces from the community whilst enjoying the garden and relaxing in the sun. We love Hexham, it is such a special place to live.”
Local businesses also lent their support to the event. Mr Wolf toy shop sold more than 200 tickets for Hexham Hidden Gardens to those who preferred not to buy online, whilst The Beaumont Hotel, Cogito Books, Down To Earth Garden Centre, Harling’s Garden Centre, Jo Anderson Designer Hair, the Queen's Hall Cafe, Mountain Warehouse, the Refectory Cafe at Hexham Abbey and Waitrose Hexham contributed to a prize draw for online ticket holders.
The draw was organised by Patricia Graham, whose garden has been a highlight of the trail for many years.
Funds raised by Hexham Hidden Gardens will support the work of Hexham Community Partnership, its offshoot Visit Hexham, and the No. 28 Community House.
Would you like to put your garden forward for Hexham Hidden Gardens 2024 or volunteer at the event? Contact Hexham Community Partnership via its website or write to HCP, based at the Queen’s Hall.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here