Billingshurst volunteers set up plant stall to help hospice following charity shop closure

Green fingered volunteers from Billingshurst found a way to continue supporting Chestnut Tree House when the charity’s shop had to temporarily close due to the coronavirus pandemic.
By Jasmin Martin
Published 3rd Jun 2020, 12:44 BST
Vicki Pidgley, Angie and Keith Blackman at the plant stall in Billingshurst to raise funds for Chestnut Tree House SUS-200306-120530001Vicki Pidgley, Angie and Keith Blackman at the plant stall in Billingshurst to raise funds for Chestnut Tree House SUS-200306-120530001
Vicki Pidgley, Angie and Keith Blackman at the plant stall in Billingshurst to raise funds for Chestnut Tree House SUS-200306-120530001

Angie Blackman and her husband Keith – who provide the Billingshurst shop with plants to sell both in the shop and at its annual plant fair – decided to set up their own stall to continue raising funds for the children’s hospice.

A friend of the couple, Vicki Pidgley, who lives on Silver Lane, kindly offered to put the plant stall at the end of her drive wand it has so far raised more than £1,500.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A delighted Angie said: “We’ve had an amazing response to the stall from the locals and passers-by. We still have a great selection of shrubs, alpines, roses, succulents, bird and bug boxes for sale, with the stall being restocked daily, and are hoping for lots more customers over the coming weeks”.

Customers to the stall choose their plants – or bird and bug boxes which have been handmade by Keith who used to be a carpenter – and pay at a safe social distance to protect everyone involved.

Jane Binns, marketing co-ordinator at Chestnut Tree House, said: “A huge thank you to Angie, Keith, Vicki and all the Chestnut Tree House supporters and gardeners in Billingshurst.

“The Billingshurst shop in the High Street will be opening when restrictions are lifted and it is safe for all our customers and staff.”

For more call 01903 275660.

__

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.

Related topics:Billingshurst