TWELVE beautiful gardens in Horrabridge opened their gates to visitors recently, to raise vital funds for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth.

More than 350 visitors attended the event and were treated to homemade cakes and cream teas, locally-grown and donated plants and exclusive access to hidden riverside gardens. By the end of the sunny afternoon, an amazing total of £3,033 was raised for the charity.

St Luke’s Open Garden co-ordinator Wayne Marshall said: ‘Local resident and volunteer for St Luke’s Helen Mcfarlane approached me wanting to hold a community event to support our work. It started as three or four gardens but quickly grew to 12 as the worked spread and people wanted to get involved.

‘The day was amazing with people travelling especially to visit the gardens from Bodmin, Okehampton, Kingsbridge and everywhere in between. The community of Horrabridge really pulled together to make the event a real success.’

Helen said: ‘The support and enthusiasm shown by everyone was quite overwhelming and I hope they all enjoyed it as much as I did. It really was a memorable day!’

St Luke’s expressed thanks to everyone who opened their gardens for the event, all those who baked cakes, scones and slices and all who donated plants.

Thanks were also expressed to the helpers who served refreshments, the local Cavalier group for helping with parking, Horrabridge school for the use of its playground and the musicians from ‘Evolution’ who played music in one of the gardens while visitors enjoyed their refreshments.

Two more open gardens will be on offer later this year, Lewtrenchard Manor on Sunday, September 11 and Weir Cottage at Weir Quay, Bere Alston, on Sunday, October 16. For full details of the open gardens, visit www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/opengardens or call 01752 246594.