Opening on two separate occasions for the National Gardens Scheme proved successful as over 250 visitors attended on each occasion, to wander around the gardens, buy plants and partake of cream teas.

On May 27, five gardens along the main road - Woodstock, Koi Cottage, The Sytche, 86 Areley Common and 6 Elm Grove raised almost £1,200.

On June 17 six country gardens were open, raising more than £1,300 - 6 Elm Grove, The White House, Swevenings, Towne House with the new millennium skydeck, summer house and Chinese pagoda and Pool House, plus the reconstructed Little Yarhampton gardens where the weekend's rain threatened the new lake.

Tim Smith of Towne House was filmed for a television programme, Stephan's Ultimate Garden a few days later.

Most of the money raised from National Gardens Scheme events, goes to Macmillan Nursing care and some to Marie Curie Cancer Care.