News
June 2019
Open Gardens event – Through the Garden gate
Over 400 people enjoyed the glorious weather on Saturday 1st June wandering through 14 gardens in the Underdale Road, Racecourse Avenue and Monkmoor Road area of Shrewsbury. There was also an opportunity to look behind the gates of the Monkmoor Allotments. The area was buzzing!
As people visited the variety of gardens from formal to a garden with nature in mind, they collected ideas for their own gardens. It was not just about gardening. Holly Woo from the Swift’s Society talked about the life of the swifts nesting in one of the gardens.
Chris Bainger, Fisheries Technical Specialist for the Environment Agency, was in another garden that went down to the weir to talk about the ecology of the River Severn, especially the fish. He was accompanied by his stuffed otter! Master Composters were on hand to give guidance tips on the best way to compost. Children (and some adults!) enjoyed pond dipping.
Teas and delicious homemade cakes were enjoyed by visitors as they were serenaded by a string quartet, light classical and folk music. There was an opportunity to buy original paintings, homemade chocolates, plants, jewellery from Uganda and books. A raffle was held for a one-day chocolate making workshop, kindly donated by Melanie Fallon, Bonbonniere.
The new Mayor of Shrewsbury, Phil Gillam joined visitors in the afternoon and had an opportunity to visit 6 of the gardens and talk to visitors. He was amazed with the variety within each of the gardens.
A staggering £2,600 was raised and will be spent on providing education for over 320 children. All the children come from local villages and many are orphans, living with grandparents or other members of their extended family. Most families are subsistence farmers, with little money for ‘’luxuries’’ like education or health care.
Hilary Procter, one of the Trustees of The Friends said ‘’ What a fantastic day. The event could not have taken place without the enthusiasm and generosity of the people of the Monkmoor area and our many supporters. Although we did have visitors from Texas who were on holiday. It was a Community event and the money raised will make a difference to the education of so many children. A teacher’s wages at the school is equivalent of £40 a month. We hope to make it a bi-annual event’’.
May 2019
A big thank you to the Wynn Foundation, Don Holme Valley Lions and The Women's Institute in West Yorkshire.
After many years of daily fun the children’s playground equipment has seen better days.
With their generous donations we can now begin to replace the equipment and let the fun continue.
Fundraising Events
Through the Garden Gate
A garden trail through the Underdale Road, Monkmoor Road & Racecourse Avenue area.
Saturday June 1st 2019
11:00 to 4:00
Enjoy a variety of gardens and collect ideas for your own.
Meet a member of The Swift Society and hear about the life of swifts.
Find out about the ecology of the River Severn. Learn about composting.
Refreshments, musicians and art work in some gardens.
Supporting Margaret Junior School in rural Uganda
Entry by programme £5 per adult, accompanied children free.
Available on the day from all participating gardens
14 participating gardens: 2 Whitehall Terrace, Whitehall Street, 11 Monkmoor Road,
18 Wilfred Owen Close, 4 Bradford Street, 41 Racecourse Avenue, 2 Gregson Close.
11, 18, 29, 88, 101, 106, 110 & 128 Underdale Road & Monkmoor Allotments
Assistance Dogs only
All proceeds will go to “The Friends of the Margaret Junior School” Charity 1114202