St Luke's Hospice Open Garden Event, Plymouth, Devon

Gardens ranging from the unique and personal to the very grand are opening across the county for a very good cause.

From April, St Luke’s Hospice, Plymouth, is launching the scheme to give the public a chance to discover the beautiful, often hidden, gems of the South West. Located across Plymouth, South West Devon and East Cornwall, each garden will open up throughout the year to help raise vital funds for the charity.

Hayley Dann, Fundraising Manager for St Luke’s said: “We really do have some fantastic gardens – ranging from the unique and personal to the grand and immaculate grounds of some of the region’s stately homes. By launching now and going through to the summer, the public will get to see the gardens at their finest.”

St Luke’s Hospice relies heavily on community fundraising as Government funding covers less than 30% of its annual �5m running costs. Each year, St Luke’s needs to raise at least �3.5m from the communities it serves in order to stay open. That is why public support is so very important. Organisers hope that the Open Garden Scheme will be a fresh new idea that helps to raise valuable funds whilst giving local people the opportunity to appreciate beautiful gardens, some of which they might not normally have access to.

As well as featuring some of the most extravagant and impressive gardens in the South West, including the truly spectacular property and grounds of Gnaton Hall, Yelverton, a number of St Luke’s supporters have signed up to showcase private gardens that are not normally on show to the public. Visitors will definitely be spoilt for choice.

One such supporter is Clem Spencer, who is known throughout Plymouth for his beautiful garden. Each year, Clem opens it up in aid of St Luke’s and holds an art exhibition. This gives visitors the chance to appreciate the exhibition in a tranquil space surrounded by the beauty of Clem’s garden. The many hours he spends preening and pruning ensures that it is always at its very best.

If taking a stroll around magnificent gardens isn’t enough, there will be art exhibitions, plant sales and the promise of much more besides meaning that there will be something for the whole family.

St Luke’s has been providing specialist free palliative medical and nursing care for patients from across Plymouth, South West Devon and East Cornwall since 1982. Staff and volunteers are passionate that patients should have dignity and choice at a time in their lives when they may feel they have none.

There is a shared vision at St Luke’s and that is to provide the very best care to all life-limited and terminally ill patients wherever their preferred place of care might be – hospice, hospital or home. It is fundraising initiatives such as the Open Garden Scheme that help to make that vision a reality.

A brochure, complete with dates and details for each garden involved will be available soon from the charity’s website. So, this year, why not support St Luke’s and take the opportunity to walk around some of the South West’s most exquisite gardens – you will be assured of a warm welcome!

17 April

Pamela Tibbs, 6 Ridge Park Rd, Plympton, Plymouth

Contact: Lorna Baker 07917233350

18 April 2pm-5pm

Bowringsleigh, West Alvington, Kingsbridge

Contact: Sue McCallum 07917233350

24 April 2pm-5pm

Weir Cottage, Weir Quay, Bere Alston, Yelverton

Contact: Stephanie Cherington 07917233350

1 May 2pm-5pm

Fardel Manor, Fardell, Cornwood, Ivybridge

Contact: Sue McCallum 07917233350