The annual Open Garden Squares Weekend is a magical two-day event, where over 200 community gardens and private squares throughout London welcome visitors from around the world. Gardens range from historical private squares to contemporary roof gardens, in places as diverse as museums, prisons, barges and shipping containers. For the second year running Winsford Gardens was privileged to take part in this event.
On our Open Day 2013 on Saturday 8th June we put on a special show between 11am and 4pm.
Wow! What a great day out it was, thanks to all the fantastic efforts both in advance, and on the day that made it possible. Special thanks are due to some ‘former’ Penge Green Gymers and old friends who came back to support us on the day.
We had an information desk where our new tri-fold leaflets were available and also the TCV Roots magazine in which we were featured. Questions were answered and tickets for the other Open Garden Squares gardens were also on sale here.
We also displayed the marvellous drawing of the gardens recently drawn by Lis Watkins.
After about an hour, the clouds parted and the Sun came out. The wild flower meadows, especially, had seemed to have flowered just in time for the day.
We had loads of visitors, and they did us proud. The sale of plants from our greenhouse did a brisk trade all day. Strawberries, Tomatoes, Foxgloves, Cosmos, Periwinkles, Marigolds, Geraniums, and a selection of herbs and Rocket.
This year we sold cakes and refreshments for the first time. And with £1.50 for carrot cake n’ a cuppa n’ a dose of sunshine thrown in for free. What more could anyone want?
The customers were able to make full use of our new seating area. While the children took the opportunity to explore our newly completed playground.
And the various children’s activities – building insect hotels and making bird feeders.
The children also took part in a Treasure Hunt to explore the garden more fully.
Everyone was extremely complimentary about how we’re enhancing Winsford Gardens as a great open free space for the whole local community to enjoy.
We also had a ‘wishing tree’ this year, and we got 16 ‘wishes’ posted on our tree. So, we now have a list of what people (mostly children) wish for the future.
We are sure we’ll be able to make, at least some, of their wishes for the gardens to come true, and you can be sure that we are already working on that.
On 26th July 2013, the Insect Chalets created by the children during the open day were fixed to the fence, ready to welcome their new tenants.
We are currently busy planning for this year’s Open Garden Squares Day which will be held on Saturday 14th June 2014. If you would like to know more about the Open Garden Squares Weekend (14-15 June 2014) visit the website opensquares.org