Blooming gardens raise cash for Hastings charity

TWO green-fingered Bexhill gardeners managed to grow a pot of money for a Hastings charity by opening their stunning gardens to the public on Sunday.

Despite an overcast day, more than 200 people flocked to the homes of of Val Kemm in Collington Lane East and Pat Crouch in Barnhorn Road.

Both their gardens have been featured in the national media and were looking magnificent for the event.

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The day was organised to raise funds for Parchment Trust, the Hastings charity which manages Friary Gardeners, a project which teaches gardening skills to adults with disabilities.

Theresa Buss, of Parchment Trust, said: "It was a lovely day '“ the gardens were really beautiful and the atmosphere was great, really buzzing.

"Val and Pat must have worked so hard to get their gardens to look so wonderful, despite the weather, and we're all very grateful to them for all their hard work."

Sales of tea and refreshments, organised by the Trust's Jade Elliot and Stacy Hart, were brisk, while Friary Gardeners' plant stall also drew the crowds.

Overall, the event raised over 1,000 for the charity.

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Val Kemm, who was the driving force behind the event, said: "We had a fabulous day and it was worth all the exhaustion involved! The teams working on it were all great and we'll certainly open our gardens again for Friary Gardeners.

"Perhaps next year we can get a few more gardens to open with us."

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