PRESS RELEASE – March 2021

Denmans Garden to participate in the National Garden Scheme Open Days 2021

What better way is there this year to support Britain’s health care workers than spending time enjoying private gardens through the National Garden Scheme (NGS)?  And it’s no harder than visiting an NGS garden on one of their open days when the proceeds of admissions fees and the sale of refreshments are donated by garden owners in support of important nursing and health charities like Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and The Queen’s Nursing Institute.

This year, Denmans will be among the over 3,700 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales that will be open through the NGS.

 

The first time Denmans was open for the NGS was in July of 1964.

“I am delighted that Denmans will be participating for the 44th year since 1967 when Mrs. Joyce Robinson, who started the ornamental garden here, first opened her garden gates in support of this important cause – she even won a trowel from the NGS in recognition of her generosity”, said Gwendolyn van Paasschen, chairman of the John Brookes-Denmans Foundation.  “The NGS has also played an important role in the garden’s history because John Brookes MBE found Denmans through the NGS Yellow Book in 1973 and fell in love with it.”  

John Brookes eventually moved to Denmans to open his Clock House School of Garden Design and his design studio, and to take over management of the garden.

Denmans will be open from 10am-4pm on Saturday, 24 April and Saturday, 30 October this year for the NGS (it is also open 10-4 Wednesday – Saturdays and 12-4 on Sundays at present).  Prior booking will be required.  Please visit denmans.org for more information.

“We thought it would be interesting for visitors to see the garden during the off-season when it is just as beautiful and inspiring as it is in summer,” Gwendolyn added.  “We hope to be open one day next winter as well because Denmans is filled with winter interest.”

In a months time, the camassias growing in the gravel in front of the Cottage will be stunning!

The National Garden Scheme is passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens. They also support charities doing amazing work in gardens and health and grant bursaries to help community gardening projects.

The scheme celebrated its 90th year in 2017 and has donated a total of £58 million to nursing and health charities, making an annual donation of £3 million in 2019.

For more information about the NGS, go to the National Garden Scheme website:

https://ngs.org.uk/view-garden/5576

@Sussex NGS

@NGSOpenGardens

@SussexWestNGS

 

For more information, please contact Louise Campbell louise@denmans.org 07540892364 @denmans_garden www.denmans.org