12 Powys gardens open in May for National Garden Scheme
The National Garden Scheme is celebrating all that’s good about gardens and is encouraging everyone to embrace the positivity of green spaces as part of its annual Gardens and Health Week that runs from May 3-11
The charity has donated over £72 million to support nursing and health charities, including £3 million through its Gardens and Health Programme, supports hundreds of people and projects from community gardens and horticultural therapy to gardens at Maggie’s and Horatio’s Garden, that demonstrate the importance of gardens for everyone’s health and wellbeing. Gardens and Health Week is accompanied by the fifth edition of the interactive, digital publication The Little Yellow Book of Gardens and Health which brings the programme to life.
Marking Community Gardens Week (April 7-14) the National Garden Scheme announced the distribution of £294,260 of funding to 117 community garden projects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
This included £2,448 to Presteigne Community Garden.
Founded in 2022 by a small group of volunteers and set up as a community interest company (CIC) when the Sydney Nolan Trust offered a tract of land at The Rodd.
The space was formerly the Kitchen Garden serving The Rodd Estate. The plans are to further develop the site with the creation of more raised beds and benefit those who volunteer to maintain the garden and also the wider community.
A spokesperson said: “Our ethos is very much based upon local food shared with local people As well as providing regular opportunities for social engagement we have donated produce to Knighton and Presteigne Foodbank, and been able to donate small amounts for the bi-weekly soup lunch at the local group, The Circle.”
Sunday May 4 between 11am and 4pm, opening for the National Garden Scheme for the first time is Bronllys Court, near Brecon LD3 0LF.
The development of Floral Ark being a real labour of love for the owner, fired by her passion for sharing the healing powers of plants, nature and the world around us. This is a place where visitors can deeply connect with plants, trees and fungi and surround themselves with medicinal plantings, ceremonial circles and pollinator-friendly wildlife areas.
Situated beside the beautiful Black Mountains near Talgarth, there are sculpture and tree discovery trails by grass and bark paths (uneven ground). There will be a 30 minute talk at 12 noon: Extraordinary Experiences in Nature. Tea, coffee and cake available.
Adults £5; children free (activities available). Dogs are welcome, plants for sale. Also open on June 8 and July 6.
A further six gardens are open by arrangement joining those that opened in April making 12 gardens available to book for small private group visits from May 1.
These include Tranquility Haven near Knighton, The Neuadd near Llanbedr, Rock Mill at Abermule, Glan Yr Afon near Llangedwyn, Tyn Y Graig near Caersws and from May 16 Cuckoo Hall near Abermule.
To discover more and contact the owners to arrange your visit please go to findagarden.ngs.org.uk
Despite selling all pre-booked tickets for Vaynor Park and Fairdene Gallery Garden, Fron Heulog, also near Berriew, still has spaces, for Wednesday, June 11. There will be an introductory talk and guided tour with joint owner, Tim Ward, followed by home-made teas. This exceptional 1.5-acre landscaped garden is set in eight acres of land managed for wildlife, with far reaching views of Montgomeryshire and the Shropshire Hills.
Less than 20 tickets are still available for this one-day event. Go to https://youtu.be/VU82Jhf5RHQ to preview the gardens and see just why they are so very special.
This Special National Garden Scheme event admits children free of charge and teas are included in the price of £25pp. All tickets must be booked in advance at ngs.org.uk/powys-special-garden-events
