July has arrived and we have already experienced 10 gardens as part of the Rye Open Gardens scheme, 2023. All the donations go to two worthwhile local charities: Rye Foodbank and the community bus.
Now in its second year, the open garden scheme has proved to be an incredibly friendly, Rye-focused event with friends made and newcomers to Rye welcomed. But most of all, it is an hour in which you get the chance to glimpse into the inner gardens of Rye, and understand how their owners have developed them.
Col Everett has championed the scheme. She has set it up to run every Monday between 11am and noon. For an entry fee of £4, visitors are handed a raffle ticket, home-made cake and coffee or tea. Excitement builds for the raffle, drawn at about 11:45am and made up of nurtured plants, bottles and other gift surprises.
My own garden was open to the group last Monday. I asked Kt Bruce, a first time visitor to it, for her reactions: “The art of a good garden is to be drawn in and for surprises to unfold. Your garden welcomed me with an array of sights, senses and smells; encouraging me to spend time in the moment.” Her appreciation for my work was much appreciated!
There are 12 more garden groups to see, taking us through the rest of the summer season, and into the beginning of autumn, with a last hurrah at the Rye Community Garden on September 25
For further details about the garden schedule, please contact Jane or Col:
Jane Conlin
thebaytree@conlin.me.uk
Col Everett
colkins@btinternet.com
Image Credits: Kt Bruce , Abigail Cooper-Hansen .