Rolleston Open Gardens Sunday 2002
21 July, 1 - 6 pm.

Rolleston on Dove's Gardens Sunday broke all previous records when hundreds of people from East Staffordshire, South Derbyshire and far beyond came to see the fourteen beautiful gardens, many of which were open to the public for the first time. They ranged from old, well-established gardens to one which was planted this March, and many had a special theme.

As well as the gardens, St Mary's Church and the Old Grammar School were open all day and, in the afternoon, visitors were entertained by the Barton Fiddle Folk and by local organists David Yates, Brian Heather and Jim Ottewell. There was an opportunity to see the newly-restored windows and to examine all the suggested schemes for disabled access to the Church. Mrs Cath Gamble displayed some of the new kneelers and demonstrated how they are made. There were displays of hand-made cards and an exhibition by the Burton Bonsai Society, as well as a gardening book stall and a colourful ice-cream stall.

At the other end of the village, there was a stall selling home-made bread, cakes and jam in the Scout Headquarters, where refreshments were also served. Tom and Sylvia Martin ran a very successful plant sale from their home on The Lawns. 

The total raised for St Mary's Church was over £3,700, a new record for this event, and the organisers would like to thank all who contributed items for sale and who gave so generously of their time and effort. They feel that the event truly reflected the tremendous community spirit in the village.

Next year’s Gardens Sunday will be on June 22nd - and its not too early to be thinking about opening your garden (in fact its probably a better time than January when I usually start badgering people!!). If you enjoy your garden and would be willing to share it with others, please let (Tel:813320) know, your offers or enquiries would be very welcome – and it’s a great way to meet some very nice people.

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