Gardens around Bury St Edmunds threw open their gates as part of an annual charity event on Sunday.
The popular St Nicholas Hospice Care Hidden Gardens of Bury ran from 11am to 5pm.
In its 30-year history, the event has raised more than £300,000 for the charity’s work across West Suffolk and Thetford.
43 Whiting Street was on the St Nicholas Hospice Care Hidden Gardens route. Picture: Mark WestleyChantry House, in Hatter Street, Bury St Edmunds, was open for the St Nicholas Hospice Care Hidden Gardens event. Picture: Mark WestleyChantry House, in Hatter Street, Bury St Edmunds, during the Hidden Gardens event for St Nicholas Hospice Care. Picture by Mark WestleyThe College Square Rose garden during the St Nicholas Hospice Care Hidden Gardens event. Picture: Mark WestleyFinsbury Place was among the Hidden Gardens participants. Picture: Mark Westley
On a hot day, more than 30 private gardens around the town were open to around 1,500 visitors, with some also offering entertainment and refreshments.
Gardens in Whiting Street, King’s Road and Westgate Street were among those open, offering a rare glimpse into some of Bury’s most beautiful and tucked-away green spaces.
George Chilvers, community fund-raising manager at the hospice, said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who opened their gates, visited, volunteered, or supported the day in any way, as well as our sponsors Ashtons Legal Solicitors and Bedfords Estate Agents for their generosity.
Wanda Wagstaff was among the residents who opened her garden for St Nicholas Hospice Care. Picture: Mark WestleyAmong the private gardens open for the St Nicholas Hospice Care event was 43 Whiting Street. Picture: Mark WestleyMore than 30 private Bury St Edmunds gardens threw open their gates for St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Hidden Gardens on Sunday. Picture: Mark WestleyGreene and Greene solicitors took part in the Hidden Gardens for St Nicholas Hospice Care on Sunday. Picture: Mark WestleyMore than 30 private Bury St Edmunds gardens threw open their gates for St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Hidden Gardens on Sunday. Picture: Mark Westley
“We’re thrilled with how the day went and are very thankful for the support shown for local hospice care.”
From tranquil courtyards and colourful borders to hidden greenhouses and cottage-style plots, the variety on show delighted gardening enthusiasts and curious explorers alike, said the hospice.
The Lounge and Garden café in Hatter Street, the Guildhall, in Guildhall Street, and the United Reformed Church, in Whiting Street, were also among the gardens which were showcased.
Greene and Greene threw open its garden gates for St Nicholas Hospie Care. Picture: Mark WestleyGreene and Greene took part in the St Nicholas Hospice Care Hidden Gardens event. Picture: Mark WestleyDiana Rowland in her Whiting Street garden and gardener Kai Price. Picture: Mark WestleyMore than 30 private Bury St Edmunds gardens threw open their gates for St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Hidden Gardens on Sunday. Picture: Mark WestleyKai Price, a gardener for Diana Rowland in Whiting Street. Picture: Mark WestleyKai Price, a gardener in Whiting Street. Picture: Mark Westley
Woolpit Nurseries ran a plant stall on Angel Hill as part of the occasion.
The hospice said the amount raised by the event was still being counted. It will share the final figures later this month.
The charity has an annual operating budget of £8 million, equating to £22,000 per day.
The Hidden Gardens of Bury St Edmunds for St Nicholas Hospice Care took place on Sunday. Picture: Mark WestleyThe Guildhall took part in St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Hidden Gardens on Sunday. Picture: Mark WestleyThe Guildhall was among the more than 30 private Bury St Edmunds gardens open for the St Nicholas Hospice Care event on Sunday. Picture: Mark WestleyMore than 30 private Bury St Edmunds gardens threw open their gates for St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Hidden Gardens on Sunday. Picture: Mark WestleyMore than 30 private Bury St Edmunds gardens threw open their gates for St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Hidden Gardens on Sunday. Picture: Mark WestleyThe Guildhall garden was among the Bury St Edmunds green spaces open for St Nicholas Hospice Care’s Hidden Gardens on Sunday. Picture: Mark Westley
With statutory funding only covering a fraction of its needs, events like Hidden Gardens and last weekend’s Sunset Walk are vital fund-raisers to keep the hospice going.