Open Gardens
We hold an Open Gardens weekend every other year with proceeds going to local charities.
This year the Open Gardens weekend was held on the 8th & 9th June. We were very pleased to have Cattistock Hunt Kennels and Manor Farm joining us and opening as well (both venues being sited within the village).
We attracted over 850 people from outside our community to appreciate Cattistock and Sandhills.
The hounds paraded through the village to open the event, gathering outside the Fox & Hounds for ‘mingling’ opportunities on the Saturday lunchtime. Then 19 wonderful gardens opened on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons ; the Church had its fantastic Flower Festival and looked stunning with beautiful flower displays, organ recitals and bell ringing. There were fabulous teas and cakes served in the Savill Hall. Running alongside all of this we also had the Hunt kennels open and running events on Saturday; and on Sunday Manor Farm opened as part of the national “Open Farm Sunday”.
We also hold a Grand Draw which was drawn to finish the weekend in the Fox and Hounds on the Sunday evening. The results are:-
| 1st Prize | Oak Seat | Andy Hodder (The Shop) |
| 2nd Prize | Wheelbarrow with £ 150 worth of gardening goodies | Sarah Wigley |
| 3rd Prize | Family Ticket to Abbotsbury Gardens | Pam Larson |
| 4th Prize | RHS Encyclopedia | Richard Kelly |
| 5th Prize | Gallery on the Square gift set | Ed Chubb |
| 6th Prize | £ 10 Poundbury Garden Centre voucher | Marie Warmsley |
| 7th Prize | Bag of gardening gifts | Dee Tester |
| 8th Prize | White-Hamilton Floral Bouquet | Patrick Nelson |
| 9th Prize | Garden of Eden book | Stuart c/o the Nelsons |
Many thanks to our wonderful sponsors who so generously supported us and enabled us to raise just under £2,900 for our 2 chosen charities; Dorset County Hospital Cancer Charity Appeal and Cattistock Church restoration fund:
Symonds and Sampson; Abbotsbury Gardens; Groves Garden Centre; Bradfords; Kate White-Hamilton; Tate Modern; Goulds Garden Centre; Waitrose; Gallery on the Square; Poundbury Garden Centre; members of the committee and their families.
Organisation : Cathy Evans, Patrick Nelson, Sheila White, John Willows, Alastair and Gillian Wallace and Sue Orr
Contact Name: Cathy Evans
Contact Number: 01300 320703
Email: Cathy Evans
