Saturday 9th June 2024
The weather may have been unpredictable in the days leading up to Alton’s Open Gardens, but it didn’t stop people from coming from far and wide to enjoy the return of this event. It may have been a number of years since the village last opened up its gardens to the public and from the great response received, it undoubtedly will now become a regular affair once again.
The style and settings were as varied as the gardeners themselves, from small but beautifully formed cottage gardens to large plots with winding paths and mini woodlands. What they all had in common, however, was a passion for gardening and the enthusiasm to share ideas and knowledge.
Whilst the weather leading up to the event had been somewhat on the wetter side of things, the floral displays were vibrant, especially the roses on the High Street and Hillrise where a yet to be identified peach variety drew much admiration.
As well as the flora and fauna, there were also many tempting refreshments with cakes and sweet treats to keep visitors fuelled to see all fourteen gardens taking part.
What was particularly inspiring was seeing how people enjoyed their space with a variety of cosy summerhouses, seating areas to relax in and catch the sun, as well as plenty of places to play and have fun.
Grow your own was also a big theme of the day, with some gardens utilising even the smallest of areas to grow many varieties of fruit and vegetables.
On a larger scale, the community allotments were showcased, and visitors were welcomed by a very friendly scarecrow who could be seen carefully tending to one plot. Everything on the plots is grown organically, the benefits of which were clear to see with the impressive crops being grown. The Staffordshire Wildlife Trust was also on hand nearby to teach people about the trust and the important work they carry out locally.
At Pearl and Brian's, visitors were whisked away to East Asia in their Japanese inspired garden. It was easy to forget where you were wondering along the maple lined paths and over little bridges with water gently running beneath them. Watch our video for a tour of their beautiful garden and to hear how Brian developed a love for Japanese culture and gardening.
Tom and Joyce who both discovered a love of gardening as children exude a passion for all that grows. They were keen to encourage others and also to share the tips they have learned over the years, including how they use the shells of the eggs of their chickens Camila and Kate lay to keep pesky slugs at bay. Watch our video for a tour of their garden and to hear more about which plants they love.
As part of the event the younger attendees were encouraged to take on Alton Camera Clubs challenging photo treasure trail. The trail featured 24 different images of things and places dotted around the village. If you would like to have a go yourself you can download it from our downloads page here.
As well as the gardens, St Peter's Church not only opened its doors but also its tower for people to have a go at bellringing. There was much delight had as all generations pulled on the ropes and through a linked up screen they could view the actual bell they were ringing.
Watch our video featuring Tower Captain Alan Walters who spoke to us about how bellringing works and took us on a tour to see and hear the history of the bells. Also, how many of the ACE team can you spot having a go themselves?
ACE would like to thank everyone that supported, contributed, and helped make these events possible.
