For the past 12 years Wirral Hospice St John's volunteer, Sandie Fairclough, and husband Colin, have opened up their beautiful garden in Heswall as part of the National Garden Scheme (NGS), to benefit some really important national charities, like Hospice UK, MacMillan, Marie Curie and more.

The national charities are beneficiaries of the small entry fee which is charged at some 3,700 'Open Garden' events across England and Wales. Over 93 years of the NGS, more than £60 million has been raised.

The sale of refreshments, plants and people's extra donations at Sandie and Colin's event allow them to make a really nice donation to the hospice too.

In all they have raised over £27,000 from 3,400 visitors in their 12 years with some £12,343 donated to the hospice.

Last year was more of a challenge because gardens couldn't open 'carte blanche' so only pre-arranged visitors who had made an advanced booking were allowed to attend, with strict social distancing guidelines applied.

Sandie was still able to make a lovely £500 donation to Wirral Hospice St John's (as well as £500 for the NGS) on top of a £300 gift which was raised through Sandie's pretty handmade greetings cards she designs as a hobby in her spare time.

This year the garden is open to all visitors, with people encouraged to observe social distancing guidelines and be mindful of fellow enthusiasts.

Their garden plot was, once upon a time, mainly a lawn surrounded by mature trees, but with Colin handling the landscaping and Sandie the creativity and planting, they now have, what was described by Cheshire Life magazine in 2019, a 'Garden of Plenty'.

A large pond with Koi Carp has a Monet-style bridge and is fed from a planted stream. A second smaller pond is where Colin can often find himself, when the weather is nice enough, just enjoying a read or a period of quiet reflection.

All around are a bright and colourful mix of rhododendron, many varieties of hostas, hydrangea, heuchera, peonies, campanulas, iris and many more. Eye-catching artefacts are everywhere, an antique mangle, a copper sculpture, three poppies that were displayed at The Tower of London in 2014, interesting wood carvings, as well as a restored and planted handcart bearing the title of their home, 'Inglewood'.

Look out for the golf bag and trolley which is now adorned with bright blooms, a new feature for 2021.

If you'd like to visit Sandie and Colin's Open Garden on Saturday 10th and/or Sunday 11th July (between 1pm and 4pm both days) at Inglewood, 4 Birchmere, Heswall, CH60 6TN please click or tap here for all the details.