Jubilee plans bloom in Climping

The village is staging its latest open gardens weekend as a celebration of the regal occasion.

The event will take place over three days – June 8-10 – for the first time.

Joint founder and organising committee member Jean Sprenkel said: “We have held the festival every other year for about 11 years.

“Last year was the first time we had extended it to two days.

“Now we have decided to hold it over a third day.

“We decided we might as well make a bit of a splash as it was the diamond jubilee.

“We will be looking to have up to 20 gardens open.

“It’s a really good event and people enjoy looking round the gardens.

“They also like the fact we have a bus going round the sites and they can just hop on and hop off when they like and the fare is included in their ticket price.”

The garden festival will include a flower festival in St Mary’s Church in the village.

This will be open on all the three days.

The first day, Friday, June 8, will also feature a gardeners’ question time in the church with Stephanie Donaldson, gardening editor of Country Living magazine.

Stephanie will be ready to solve any problems raised and will answer questions on gardening.

The event, which will bring the whole community together, is expected to be the biggest of its kind in the village.

All visitors are extended a very warm welcome and the wide range of activities promises something for everyone.

Tickets will cost £10 to include wine and canapes.

The Saturday and Sunday will see the gardens open as well as stalls in the church hall and a cafe.

An evening concert in the church will round off Saturday’s events and a jubilee strawberry tea will be held the next afternoon.

Profits from the weekend will go to the church fabric fund and other village causes.

Previous occasions have raised several thousand pounds a time.