On Sunday 10th July, Thornton residents opened their gardens ‘for real’ this year, after two years of ‘virtual’ open gardens, due to Covid restrictions and concerns.
There were 14 gardens open for visitors during an extremely hot and sunny Sunday afternoon. The gardens opened offered real variety – from a large rambling nature garden with intertwining paths to courtyard gardens to pretty compact cottage gardens. Many offering stunning views of the reservoir and the National Forest. Stops included the lovely cool of the church and also of the village hall, where there was a roaring trade in cream teas.
The event was considered to be a great social event with many locals getting to know one another on walking around the village.
As well as locals and immediate neighbours, there were a large number of people from further afield, with some visitors recorded from Nuneaton and Coventry, having seen us listed on the national Open Gardens website.
There was a quiz sheet on sale with answers to be submitted by the end of the month. Five people got full marks and the winner ‘out of the hat’ was Muriel Walker.
The soaring temperatures and the Wimbledon final inevitably kept some people away, but the gardens were kept busy and the event made a profit of £1144.54 for the Friends of St Peter’s for the maintenance, restoration and improvement of our beautiful historic church.
The organisers would like to thank all the villagers who opened up their gardens; The Bricklayers Arms, Thornton Club and Thornton Nurseries – who allowed use of their facilities; the volunteer first aiders; The Community Centre and those who served cream teas there (especially Mary for organising that end of things) and to local firm, the Garden Design Company for supporting the event – http://www.thegardendesignco.co.uk.
Lis Muller
Open Gardens 2021: Take time to enjoy this 16 minute video of the beautiful gardens in our village of Thornton.
If you enjoy viewing, please consider making a JUST GIVING donation to The Friends of St Peter’s Church
Many thanks to all who have taken part and invited us to share your garden!
Thornton 