Thurlby open gardens event attracts 300 visitors and raises £1,500 for village churches

An open gardens event at the weekend raised more than £1,500 to be split between two village churches.

Every other year, Thurlby hosts a village open garden event and this year, the gates to 15 gardens were open including some that had not participated before.

More than 300 people visited over the weekend and as well as the gardens, there was a wheelbarrow competition, with prizes kindly donated by Waterside Garden Centre.

Bees were dotted around the village, providing a trail for youngsters to take part in.

Teas, coffees and cakes were also available to buy, as were raffle tickets.

Yvonne Scott, who organised the event with Ros Bennett, described it as a “great success”.

She said: “We were lucky that the weather held off and there were some fabulous new gardens as well.”

The event is normally held in early June but was pushed back until after restrictions had lifted to allow as many people as possible to enjoy it.

“We were very lucky that last year was our ‘off year’ and I think it was great for people to have something to go to. The gardeners had some really positive feedback which was fantastic for them,” said Yvonne.

The money raised will be shared between the Methodist Chapel and St Firmin’s Church in the village.

Yvonne thanked the residents who opened their gardens and everyone who helped.

Click here to buy our photos, by Alan Walters, from this event