Wirral’s much-loved Secret Gardens of Oxton celebrates its 25th anniversary on 10 May, with thousands of visitors set to enjoy another jam-packed day of family fun.
The event gives people the chance to see what lies behind the village’s indigenous sandstone walls as well as enjoying an array of live music, artisan craft and food stalls, children’s entertainment, a grand raffle, and much more.
There are 24 gardens on display this year, including five that are opening for the first time. One of these is Callister Garden in Slatey Road – a tranquil retreat that was created for women and girls in Birkenhead over 100 years ago.
Kirsty Cotton, Co-organiser, said, “Secret Gardens of Oxton is the highlight of the local social calendar and showcases what a fantastic community spirit we have here.
“There is something to delight every visitor, whether you’re a keen gardener or not. People may visit for the gardens, but they stay for the fabulous atmosphere throughout the village.”
Since The Oxton Society launched the event back in 2001, 28 Wirral charities have benefited from a share of nearly £344,000. Even when it moved online for two years during the Pandemic, the ‘virtual’ events still raised money through online donations.
This year’s beneficiaries will be Birkenhead Youth Club, Sundowns, Terral Morgan Memorial Fund, and The Oxton Society.
Chris Jarrey, Chair of the Oxton Society, said, “Our role is to support the area from a conservation and a community perspective and we’re looking forward to hosting our 25th live event.
“The fact that the Secret Gardens of Oxton is as popular as ever after a quarter of a century, is testament to the amount of work that goes into organising the day.
“From the garden owners themselves who put in a tremendous amount of effort, to the hundreds of residents who volunteer their time – be that baking cakes, marshalling visitors or erecting gazebos!”
Tickets, priced £10 in advance or £12 on the day, can be bought from shops and cafes in Oxton Village (children under 16 are free) or purchased online at https://secretgardens.theoxtonsociety.co.uk/.
The day runs from 10am to 5pm. Parking is free at Oxton Fields, Storeton Road with free shuttle buses to the village. For more details, visit facebook.com/secretgardensofoxton.
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