Fun-filled family day out at Cotswold Farm Open Garden Weekend!

Cotswold Farm Open Garden Weekend 2009, near Cirencester, was a great success! In its second year, over 250 visitors attended this stunning weekend to stroll around the beautiful gardens of Cotswold Farm and discover hidden gems, such as wild orchids and iris' in the ancient woodland. The event struck lucky with the weather, making it feel like summer was truly upon us.

There were lots of activites to keep the everyone entertained, mainly run by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. The Pond Dipping was bar far the most popular with children and adults. There were discoveries of newts, dragonfly larvae and many other creepy crawilies to keep everyone egar to find more. Other activities which were enjoyed by many were face painting, the mini-beast safari and nature trails. There was a large plant sale provided by the Gloucersterhire Lanscape and Garden Trust and local seller with a large vareity to chose from.

Louise Dale, the Production Assistant said "This event was a wonderful weekend with plently for adults and children. The garden was looking absoloutly stunning with a fantastic display of roses and delphinium which are at their peak in June. I hope that next year is bigger, enanbling us to raise more money and enabling people to appreciate this stunning garden".

All the money raised has been split between 2 charties; A Rocha and the National Garden Scheme, raising money for MacMillian Cancer Research, Marie Curie, The National Trust and several others.

Owner of the house and garden, Iona Birtchall thought the event really well and is looking forward to holding it again next year, as do the EMS team.