MANORBIER and District Gardening Club’s first meeting at Manorbier’s new community hall, the Giraldus Centre, was a success. 

Chair Clive Matthias welcomed Toni Tasker and Mike Rohleder, the organisers of Manorbier Open Gardens, to the well attended meeting. Toni and Mike gave a description of how the scheme works and announced that the Open Gardens weekend will take place on Saturday and Sunday June 29 and 30 this year, when gardens in Manorbier and surrounding areas will be open to the public. Visitors are all welcome to pay a small fee for one ticket, which covers all the gardens that are open. There will be a minibus to pick up and drop off visitors at the gardens, and the chance to have a cuppa and a slice of cake at various venues. 

Toni and Mike also explained that the scheme is held in support of St James Church in Manorbier. As well as being a welcoming place of worship, the church is a very important historical landmark in the village and funding is always needed for its upkeep. 

New gardens of all shapes and sizes are very welcome to join Manorbier Open Gardens. Anyone in Manorbier and the surrounding areas who wish to open their garden for the scheme can contact Toni on 07890 501282, while Mike’s email address is [email protected]. There is also a Facebook page called Manorbier Open Gardens.

The next Gardening Club meeting is planned for Thursday, March 21, starting at 7.30 at Giraldus Centre in Manorbier, when Steve Whitehead, Head Gardener at Colby Woodland Gardens will be giving an illustrated talk: ‘Colby - a gardened valley, Past, Present and Future’. There will also be a plant, seed and magazine table, free refreshments and a raffle. 

Anyone is welcome to join this friendly gardening club - you don't have to be an expert! The club has an interesting programme of events planned for this year, with speakers and demonstrations, as well as visits to various places of interest. Annual membership remains at £10, while visitors are asked to pay a small admission fee. For further details, contact Maggie Chance on 07736749705 or [email protected].