The Yellow Book is here!
It’s that time of the year. There may not be a lot for gardeners It is worth remembering also, that the big gardens, open all
to look forward to in early February but one thing is the arrival through the season and sometimes throughout the year, have
of the latest edition of the National Garden Scheme’sYellow special opening days for the NGS.
Book - the ‘bible’ for those opening their gardens this year or
So if you want to support the charity you can opt to go to a
looking forward to gardening visits.
National Trust garden or a garden such as Hestercombe on
The key theme of the national scheme is that while the public one of their special openings that will raise funds with their
gets a good afternoon out visiting gardens that are open for admission charges for the NGS.
the NGS, everyone is helping to raise thousands of pounds for
Don’t forget that there are always new gardens open for the
charity.
NGS in each county each year. It’s not a static organisation,
The NGS was founded in 1927 to raise funds for district as some owners retire others take their place. There’s always
nurses. The charity which supports district nurses is the somewhere new to see.
Queen’s Nursing Institute. It was originally established as
Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Institute for Nurses in 1887, and it
centralised training for district nurses.
Joe Swift, takes key
Today the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) continues to
role as new President
support community nurses as they carry on their vital
healthcare service to people in their own homes. of the NGS
The NGS is still the biggest supporter of the QNI. So the next Joe Swift, one of the country’s
time you are visiting a garden open for the NGS, remember favourite TV gardeners and a presenter
that you are helping this valuable charity. on BBC2’s Gardeners’ World since 1998,
For the past 12 years the NGS has also been raising badly
has taken over as President of the
needed funds for hospices – there is a local hospice close to
National Gardens Scheme.
many gardens open for the NGS. Joe Swift ‘ ’ve seen One of his first duties was to
And if you are a long way from home and need to stay
a lot – but still have launch the NGS Yellow Book for its
overnight, or want to spend a holiday visiting these gardens
a lifetime of visiting
2010 season. He has taken over as
in whatever part of the country, there are many NGS gardens
ahead of me to see even
President from Zac Goldsmith, the
a quarter of them! ‘
offering accommodation as well.
eco-campaigner.
If you look up this year’s Yellow Book, you will find a variety
Joe, whose father is actor Clive Swift, the long suffering
of places to stay while still supporting the NGS, whether it is
husband of Hyacinth Bucket in the television sit-com Keeping
self-catering, in a bed and breakfast establishment or a hotel.
Up Appearances, is a good choice as ‘front man’ of the NGS.
Known as a strong supporter of the NGS gardens scheme,
£2.99p off the 2010 Yellow Book
he has acknowledged the sheer variety of gardens across the
Country Gardener has a special offer for its readers on the 2010
country, and in particular the gardens that open for charities
new edition of the Yellow Book. You can buy it for £6 against a
such as the NGS.
normal price of £8.99p. To purchase your copy of the Yellow Book He has had considerable first-hand knowledge of many
2010 at this special price including both post and packing to UK
NGS gardens and has filmed in several of them for various
postal addresses please either order via www.ngs.org.uk and use
TV programmes, including 15 episodes of the BBC2 ‘Open
the following promotional code CGYB1
Gardens’ series.
Or you can call 01483 211535 and quote CGYB1
NGS Chairman Penny Snell has seen what a strong
Please allow 14 days for delivery.
supporter of the NGS he is.
2009 saw the National Gardens Scheme donate over £2.5million
‘The admiration he shows for amateur gardeners and their
to beneficiary charities which includes MacMillan Cancer Support,
achievements is incredibly genuine – he loves all the gardens,
Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices and Crossroads care.
from the tiniest urban spaces and allotments to the rolling
Offer valid until July 2010.
countryside landscapes. As our President I know Joe will be
an inspiration to both garden owners and visitors,’ she said.
There are listings county by county of NGS garden owners or
‘The sheer variety of the gardens and the hard work of the
county volunteers who offer accommodation, with full details
garden owners never ceases to amaze me,’ said Joe after his
of what’s on offer, prices, contact phone numbers, email
appointment.
addresses and websites.
‘I’ve seen a lot – but still have a lifetime of visiting ahead of
They range from private homes with en suite facilities to
me to see even a quarter of them! And at the end of the
colleges with student accommodation only available in the
day, what a great cause – the money raised makes a real
holidays. Some ask for a minimum stay of two nights.
difference to people’s lives.’
18
Country Gardener
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