onionbagblog

Picture: My back garden. Blimey.

With spring springing early in Wivenhoe and that miserable estuary winter now long since forgotten, a young (ish) man’s thoughts turns towards green fingers and watching the legend that is Alan Titchmarsh on TV every night as RHS Chelsea approaches.

Cripes.

Actually, ever the keen to keep it local, Wivenhoe Open Gardens looks like it will be stealing the thunder from Titchmarsh and chums over the coming weeks. The weekend of 21st – 22nd May is when all the green and good of Wivenhoe is opened up.

I’ve even got a half-decent lawn that anyone come round for a look at if they are really bothered.

Blimey.

Twenty-eight gardens have so far signed up. I love the idea of sharing, and then hopefully inspiring. It has taken @AnnaJCowen and I twenty summers together (oh Lordy) to actually have garden ownership. I’m hoping Titchmarsh will be coming my way with a Gold Standard next summer.

The good folk from Open Gardens update with:

“There will be plants to buy at several of the gardens, and a stand-alone Plant Stall at 89 High Street. There will be displays of paintings and other artwork on show at some gardens, and there will be musical entertainment in three of the gardens from In Accord, acapella singers with a wide repertoire of songs and singing styles. Refreshments to sustain you on your way around the village will also be on sale.”

Entry tickets (£4, free admission for children) will be on sale from early May. They will be available from Rollo Estates, the Wivenhoe Bookshop, Bryan’s Newsagents in the High Street, and at Crossways Stores at The Cross. On the weekend itself, tickets may be bought at Toad Hall (16 Colchester Road) and at 89 High Street, and some of the gardens over the weekend. You will also get a free Programme when you buy your ticket.”

All profits will be divided between St Mary’s Church and the Wivenhoe Society. This year, the latter will be donating their share to Wivenhoe Helping Hands.

I seriously can’t wait; I’ve evened ironed my best Titchmarsh slacks and sports casual.