Churches gardens scheme smashes record
A charity which helps preserve Shropshire's historic churches has had some bloomin' great news - its open gardens scheme this year has raised a record amount to pay for maintenance and repairs.
Richard Bifield of the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust said: "2017 has been the most profitable year ever for the open gardens scheme run by the trust since it was launched in 1994.
"A record £25,871 was raised this year from the 22 trails involving over 70 individual gardens run over 16 weekends from May to October.
"And the £4,800 raised in Much Wenlock on Sunday, July 9, was the most ever raised by an SHCT garden trail in the scheme's 23-year history.
"All monies raise by each trail - that's entry charges, teas, plant sales and so on - is split 50/50 between the trust and the local parish church.
"SHCT began in 1991 and in that time has raised nearly £900,000 to help towards the cost of maintaining the fabric of Shropshire's wonderful churches and chapels. There's more information on www.shropshirehct.com."
Attached is a pic taken last Sunday at the last open garden of the season at Woodgate Cottage, Brown Heath Loppington, near Wem. Featured left to right are Roland Bream, Gay Bream (SHCT open gardens organisers) with Lally Cheeseman and Richard Cheeseman of Woodgate Cottage.
