SUMMER. of open GARDENS

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1 SUMMER of open GARDENS FUNDRAISING PACK

2 SUMMER of open GARDENS Welcome to our Summer of Open Gardens If you enjoy gardening and would love the chance to share the results of all your hard work with friends and family - then our Summer of Open Gardens is for you. Whether you manage a magnificent country estate or simply have a passion for pot plants - we re here to help you share the pleasure of gardens; whilst raising vital funds to help keep the Essex & Herts Air Ambulances flying. The programme runs from April to September, so you can pick the perfect moment to showcase your garden at its best. This pack is full of handy tips and advice to get you started - but please give us a call or drop us an if you have any questions or need a little extra help. Thank you for your interest and happy gardening. The Open Gardens Team

3 SUMMER of open GARDENS Meet our Ambassador Ken Crowther BBC Essex - gardening presenter We re delighted to welcome Ken on board as our Summer of Open Gardens Ambassador. There s not much Ken doesn t know about gardening, having spent almost 30 years answering gardening-related questions posed by listeners of BBC Essex s Saturday Morning Gardening Show. Ken also runs his own landscaping company, Crowther Landscapes, and has recently launched the first online streamed gardening radio station called WorldRadioGardening.com, which includes interviews from prominent gardeners around the world, visits to gardens and listeners questions. We re sure Ken will be a huge inspiration to all those looking to open their gardens with us this summer and we look forward to welcoming Ken to one or two of our Open Garden events during the summer.

4 Hello from Ken It s hard to believe that such an important resource as the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust is not government funded, considering how many lives are saved by the use of a helicopter. So I m keen to inspire as many gardeners as possible to get involved and lend their support for this worthy cause. For me it s not about creating the perfect garden but simply about sharing the joy of gardening and doing some good in the process. I ve met many gardeners over the years who have opened their gardens and they tell me how much satisfaction they get through letting people enjoy the labours of their love and being inspired, not forgetting usually partaking in some tea and cake. So, if you ve never opened your gardens before enjoy the experience. Start preparing your garden by redefining and cutting lawn edges with a sharp edging iron and use a strong board if cutting straight lines. Think about which plants will be flowering at the time you are choosing to open your garden and prepare a list of what plants you can add to give that extra sparkle. Good luck and thank you to all our Open Gardeners! Ken Crowther Ambassador Summer of Open Gardens

5 Have fun and fundraise! Here are some ideas on how to make your Summer of Open Gardens event unique and increase the funds you are able to raise. Open a plant stall Serve tea & cake Host a raffle, tombola or quiz Sell your veg Get producing what can you make from your garden? Got some other ideas? Let us know and we can share them with others. Please return your donations to us by the end of October. Turn over to order your handy tool kit!

6 Your Open Gardens Tool Kit Once you ve registered your event with us, we can provide you with any of the following simply call or to request. Advice from the Open Garden Team Posters to promote your event Fundraising banners Collections tins or buckets Event promotion on our website and social media sites Caution posters for any garden hazards Order yours today call

7 Get set for Summer of Open Gardens Handy Check-list Choose the date for your Open Garden Register your event with us Request or download your posters Invite your family, friends and neighbours Collect your donations on the day! Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust, Flight House, Earls Colne Business Park, Earls Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2NS EHAAT.uk.com #SOGardens REGISTERED CHARITY