AT least ten homes at Middleton-in-Teesdale are opening their gardens for good causes this year.
The village hosts an open gardens event every second year to complement nearby Romaldkirk where gardens are opened in the alternate year. It is organised through the National Garden Scheme (NGS). Middleton organiser Joanna Tait said the event two years ago had raised £900, of which £700 went to NGS and £100 each to the village tourist information centre (TIC) and Middleton-in-Bloom.
Between 60 and 70 people visited the gardens around Middleton in 2017.
Mrs Tait said: “We were very pleased -“it was a lovely day. The better the weather the more people we have. We are looking forward to welcoming people to Middleton.”
She said people can get tickets for the event on June 15 at the tourist information centre where they will receive a map of the gardens they can visit between 11am and 5pm.
Refreshments and a plant stall will open at the Masonic Hall between 2pm and 4.30pm. Among those who will be taking part this year are Graham and Pam Phillips, who are involved in Middleton-in-Bloom and live just outside the village at Cassell Bank.
The couple moved in about 20 years ago when the small garden consisted of little else but a lawn and some bordering. The rear overlooks Holwick.
Mrs Phillips said: “Out garden is tiny but we like the view. We bought the view rather than the house.”
The garden has been transformed into a neat area populated with hardy geraniums, delphinium and a Japanese maple, which survives well despite the garden being exposed to winds coming across the valley. Mr Phillips said: “When the [delphiniums] blue spikes are in bloom it is a beautiful sight, but unless it is tied back it gets obliterated by the wind.”
The couple will also be selling bulbs and plants on the day.
Anyone who would like to take part in the NGS open gardens day in Middleton-in-Teesdale can contact Mrs Tait on 07974 444222.
