Open gardens in Thetford to go for gold this year
Thetford Open Gardens is set to go golden for its 12th year when it opens its doors on Sunday.
The event will show 34 gardens with everything from a beehive, pottery and archery going on in them.
One of the organisers, Rachel Woods, said: "We hope it will be another beautiful event as it gives such a buzz on the street during it.
"I don't think some people realise how many lovely gardens we have in and around the town, with their unique and different characters and spaces until they come to the open gardens."
The golden theme for this year was partly inspired by the programme cover for the event and that couple, Doreen and Terry Taylor, who will be showing their Comfrey Way garden are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
Each garden will also have different golden plants in them that have been donated by Thetford Garden Centre and groups such as Norwich Road Resident's Association and the Friends of Thetford Train Station have also got involved with the day.
Rachel said: "I think groups like these taking part in the event is really important as it gives them recognition and lets the public appreciate all the efforts from these volunteers."
Over the years, the open gardens have raised around £60,000 for St Nicholas Hospice Care and Rachel feels it is such a worthy cause to be involved with.
"The hospice are so very supportive every year with the event and the work they do is brilliant, I am pleased we can keep giving to them."
"Our event has been going for so long because it is different every year and this gets people to come back and make this a regular day in their calender, which is fantastic."
Thetford open Gardens will open on July 1 at 10.30am with Mayor Roy Brame hosting a 'heads and tails' game in King's House Gardens for a prize is £350 of white goods, donated by Cobra Domestic Appliances. Entry is only £1 which goes straight to St Nicholas Hospice Care.
Programmes for the event are £5 each and can be purchased from Thetford Garden Centre, Leaping Hare Tourist Information Centre and on the market square on the day of the Open Gardens.
