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:-

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.

A News Release from the Dorset County Hospital Charity, published 9th August 2019

Members of the Cattistock Open Gardens Committee made a significant donation to Dorset County Hospital Charity’s Chemotherapy Appeal following a successful weekend on 8-9 June.

The bi-annual event attracted over 850 visitors from all over Dorset and beyond to see some of the finest gardens within Cattistock and Sandhills. The church held a fantastic flower festival with flower displays, organ recitals and bell ringing. The Hunt kennels were also open and running events on Saturday and on Sunday Manor Farm opened as part of the national Open Farm Sunday. They also held a Grand Draw in the Fox and Hounds pub on the Sunday evening.

As a result the event raised £2,900 in total with £1,400 being donated to the hospital’s Chemotherapy Appeal and the charity team were delighted to receive a cheque from representatives of the committee last week. The balance of funds from the event went towards the Cattistock Church restoration fund.

Simon Pearson, Head of Fundraising at Dorset County Hospital Charity said,
“Cattistock Open Gardens raised a fantastic amount and we really appreciate all the hard work and support that went into making the event so successful. These wonderful events not only raise funds but also help to raise awareness about the work we do and the projects which make so much difference to our patients and the people who care for them.”

The Chemotherapy Appeal is raising money to fund a major refurbishment of the hospital’s Chemotherapy Unit. The project will focus on providing increased choice for patients in how they receive their treatment and will completely upgrade the department in line with the high quality of radiotherapy and cancer outpatient facilities now available at Dorset County Hospital.
For more information about the work of Dorset County Hospital Charity please email: charity@dchft.nhs.uk or phone 01305 253215.

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Open Gardens 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