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« As much a tradition as the annual village Carnival, May Day Morris dancing and the Village Show, the Eynsham Open Gardens Weekend (21-22 July 2007) is a sight to behold as villagers open their gardens to the public this month, giving inspiration and delight to garden lovers far and wide...
Click HERE for Front Garden winners; image shows Irmgard Smith
Click here for Open Gardens Programme
Click here for pix & poster. More gardens HERE

SHARING the beauty and charm of their gardens, the villagers of Eynsham will be opening their gardens to the public as they have done for the past 26 years, offering visitors a variety of displays, ranging from large gardens with mature trees and attractive herbaceous borders to small courtyard gardens.

Organised by Eynsham in Bloom, the Open Gardens Weekend started with the village's entry into the Britain in Bloom competition in 1981 and continued through the years with support from The Eynsham Society then the Eynsham Horticultural Society.

"The open gardens weekend is a chance for people in the village to share the pleasure they get from their own gardens and to provide ideas to other garden lovers," says organiser Pat Whitlock. "It is a very special tradition for the village and creates a great atmosphere."

The community spirit in Eynsham has always been very strong and historically the villagers have opened their gardens in times of need to help raise money.

"In 1974 five villagers opened their gardens to raise money to help the trees in Eynsham against Dutch Elm disease," says Pat. Although money was raised the trees didn't survive.

Then in 1982, some of the village's larger gardens were opened as part of Britain in Bloom, and the Open Gardens Weekend became a regular feature in Eynsham. Coinciding with this weekend in July, the Front Garden Competition is also a village affair. Started approximately 23 years ago, residents are encouraged to enter the competition to improve the look of the village.

"This year we're awarding trophies for the first time, which are old-fashioned brass and copper watering cans mounted on wooden bases made by a local wood turning enthusiast," says Pat.

The awards have been sponsored by local businesses FlowersTalk, Evenlode DIY and JHW Gardens; and Fieldfare Nurseries in Church Hanborough. Blenheim Colour Ltd have also provided support with leaflets, posters and programmes for the event.

"We're separate from the National Gardens Scheme as we organise our event in the village, but in true Open Gardens tradition we will be serving teas and homemade cakes with the proceeds going to the charities we're supporting," says Pat.

Visitors to the 18 gardens involved in the Open Gardens Weekend will also be able to benefit from the expertise of local businesses FlowersTalk and their dynamic approach to flower arranging, and Evenlode DIY, whose knowledge and customer service is legendary in the village.

"This year we are supporting Cancer Research (Lymphoma section), the British Heart Foundation and Eynsham Day Centre," says Pat.

The importance of the work of Cancer Research is close to the hearts of the residents of Eynsham as the village's Garden Club chairperson Phillis Pimm contacted Lymphoma and died last year.

"She was a very active member in many organisations in the village and she was instrumental in supporting the Open Gardens from the very early days," adds Pat.

"Each garden that is open to the public has something of interest that visitors can take away with them and use in their own gardens," says Pat, who has opened her own garden to the public for over 20 years. Standing in a third of an acre the garden has developed over the years, incorporating elements from other gardens to create a relaxing and enjoyable space. A parterre, large pond, large native trees, vegetables and fruit all feature in the garden, which is also enjoyed by wildlife nesting in the poplar trees.

"We like to think that the Open Gardens Weekend is an Eynsham tradition - it is a great part of the village and, like the Carnival in Eynsham, brings the village together."

Other gardens around Oxfordshire will also be opening to the public as part of the National Gardens Scheme, which welcomes over half a million visitors each year across the UK, raising £2 million every year for nursing, caring and gardening charities.

Founded in 1927 to raise money for the nurses of the Queen's Nursing Institute, the NGS enjoyed such overwhelming success from its first year it became a regular feature and has remained a national pastime ever since.

For gardens to qualify they are visited by a county team which looks for a number of criteria including health and safety, points of interest, a wide range of plants, tidiness and parking for visitors.

Run by volunteers, the NGS is always keen to welcome more willing members to help open thousands of gardens each year, as well as promoting the NGS locally and finding new gardens.

Eynsham Open Gardens Weekend is July 21-22. Front Garden winners were picked on the weekend of July 13-15:

For more information on the Eynsham Open Gardens Weekend contact Pat Whitlock, tel: 01865 880368.

EYNSHAM ONLINE is an Eynsham Parish Council initiative.
Email comment/queries to eynsham- online@hotmail.co.uk