STALHAM: Busy brass band

Published: 9:41 PM June 12, 2014 Updated: 8:36 PM October 10, 2020

stalham brass band - Credit: Archant

June is the peak month of garden visiting in Norfolk for The National Gardens Scheme (NGS). There is an incredible 20 gardens opening, ranging in size from small town plots to large country estates.

The highlight of the month is the“Garden Festival Weekend of June 7 and 8 when hundreds of other gardens opened throughout England and Wales in an effort to raise more money for the NGS nursing and caring charities.

The Old Rectory in Ridlington is one of four Norfolk gardens which participated. It has a tranquil two-acre garden around a former rectory with established trees and some topiary. Mixed borders of shrubs, perennials, roses and bulbs, and raised vegetable beds. Visitors enjoyed home-made teas, whilst listening to an afternoon of music played by 22 members of Stalham Brass Band under director of music Tim Thirst.

Founded in 1927, the NGS raises money to support nursing and caring charities and during 2013 gave £2.5m from money raised by opening more than 3800 private gardens in England and Wales. Charities supported by the National Gardens Scheme this year include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices, The Carers Trust and Parkinson’s UK.

www.stalhambrassband.com