GARDENS which were opened for people to visit across the Wellington and West Somerset areas during the past spring and summer helped to raise more than £32,000 for St Margaret’s Hospice.

The ‘Glorious Gardens’ event proved to be the charity’s second largest fund-raiser of the year after its annual colour run and showed the depth of support from local communities.

The garden of Pembroke, in Blagdon Hill, on the Backdown Hills near Wellington, were among more than 60 which opened to the public in support of St Margaret's Hospice. PHOTO: Hayley Milne.
The garden of Pembroke, in Blagdon Hill, on the Backdown Hills near Wellington, were among more than 60 which opened to the public in support of St Margaret's Hospice. PHOTO: Hayley Milne. ( )

A total of 61 garden openings were held in 22 Somerset locations and raised £32,012 to support the work of St Margaret’s Hospice Care.

The total included sponsorship from estate agent and auctioneer Greenslade Taylor Hunt, and others.

Hospice community fund-raising manager Kerry Baillie said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the success of ‘Glorious Gardens 2024’ and want to thank everybody who helped make it happen, from those who generously opened their gardens to every single visitor who contributed.

“The funds raised will make a real difference in supporting the care we provide across Somerset, and we could not be more grateful for the community’s continued support.

More than 60 gardens across Somerset opened to the public this year to support Dt Margaret's Hospice, including Moorland Cottage. PHOTO: George Ody.
More than 60 gardens across Somerset opened to the public this year to support St Margaret's Hospice, including Moorland Cottage. PHOTO: Hayley Milne. ( )

“We would like to express sincere gratitude to everybody who opened their gardens to the public and to the Somerset community who visited, made donations, and enjoyed tea, cake, and other refreshments in the beautiful green spaces.”

Ms Baillie said looking ahead to 2025, St Margaret’s was calling on the community to become involved again for next summer’s ‘Glorious Gardens’ event, as the hospice celebrates 45 years of providing free end-of-life care to the people of Somerset.

She said the 2025 target was to feature more than 100 gardens, making it the charity’s largest event yet.

St Margaret’s own hospice gardens offer peace and comfort to patients and their families, and Ms Baillie said open space could bring similar joy to visitors across the county.

Anybody who wants to take part can sign up via the website here or call Ms Baillie on 01935 709496 or email [email protected].

The community-funded hospice helped by about 800 volunteers supported 4,833 people across Somerset last year, the majority of them in their own homes with care from one of its five community nursing teams.