The National Gardens Scheme (NGS), which supports Marie Curie Cancer Care and other charities, launched the 2005 edition of its Yellow Book of gardens open for charity in England and Wales.
The Yellow Book lists county by county the gardens that open for the NGS. Each county has a diary section listing all the days when fine, mostly private, gardens open their gates to the public to raise money for charity. Short descriptions about the gardens include direction, opening dates and times.
The book is available from bookstores priced 7.99 or from the National Gardens Scheme website www.ngs.org.uk, or from NGS on 01483 211535.
It includes articles inside from gardening professionals, celebrities and writers such as Kim Wilde, Joe Swift, Caroline Donald, Sarah Raven and Monty Don, along with cartoons from John Larbalestier, whose cheeky sketches portray the amusing side of opening gardens to the public. The Yellow Book also details more than 60 gardens offering bed and breakfast, self-catering or hotel accommodation.
Gardening Designer and TV presenter Joe Swift said: We are truly a nation of great gardeners. The diversity and range never ceases to amaze me; whether you want to visit a cottage garden or an urban 'outdoor room', a formal estate or a sculpture garden, the Yellow Book's got the lot. The creativity, commitment and sheer generosity of those who open their gardens is something we should be immensely proud of, and remember, it's all for charity. Enjoy.
Last year, the NGS gave Marie Curie Cancer Care 490,000.
Marie Curie Cancer Care's Trusts Fundraising Manager Katharine Roberton said: The new-look Yellow Book is a fantastic guide to thousands of beautiful gardens across England and Wales. If you're a gardener, or if you like days out exploring other people's gardens, you'll get a huge amount of enjoyment from it. I would like to thank the NGS for their generosity and encourage as many people reading this as possible to visit a garden to return the support.
For more details visit the National Gardens Scheme website www.ngs.org.uk
February 2005
