The history of the National Garden Scheme (NGS) was the topic presented by Jan and Jim Saunt. They have been Assistant
County Organisers for the NGS for several years. In the 1990s they bought Plovers Hill near Strumpshaw and brought the garden
back to the high standard of its earlier owners, opening for the NGS in 2002. The garden includes an orangery and an
orchard with soft fruits. There are fine trees - a mulberry, gingko, liquidamber and Japanese bitter orange as well as yew
hedging and herbaceous borders.
The NGS is well known and loved by gardeners and non-gardeners alike throughout the country. Opening days are listed
in the famous Yellow Book. Gardens range from the sumptuous grounds of large houses too small but fascinating gardens tended
by plantsmen and women.
The Scheme had its beginnings in 1857 with the foundation of a School of District Nursing in Liverpool by a merchant called
William Rathbourne. This School provided nursing for the poor of Liverpool and was supported by a charity. The idea
spread and was taken up by Florence Nightingale and Queen Victoria. In 1927 Elsie Wragg, a member of one of the schools,
the Queen's Nursing Institute, had the idea of asking people to open their gardens to provide money for the nursing schools.
Initially 609 people were persuaded to open their gardens at one shilling a head (10p) and over £8000 was raised. By
1931 over 1000 gardens opened and Country Life produced the first Yellow Book.
Today 3,700 gardens open for the NGS, 100 of them are plant collectors gardens.
Why is the NGS so popular? Well, we all enjoy looking over the neighbour's fence to see what they're doing! What could be a nicer way to spend an afternoon if you're either a garden enthusiast or a novice? When we see luxuriant plants gracing the gardens, we're keen to buy some for ourselves. Last year 2,500 NGS members sold plants to eager visitors. And of course many provide refreshments - the cream teas and delicious cakes are legendary.
In the last 10 years £27 million has been raised for charity. In 2009 alone £2 ½ million was collected of which Norfolk
raised £64,000.
Some of our Norfolk gardens have been members of the NGS for 30 years or more. Others are new this year, including
16 Witton Lane in Little Plumstead (the owners are keen Wildlife Trust members); 5 Batterby Green (south of Fakenham); Chaucer
Barn, Gresham; Four Seasons at Forncett St Mary's (originally a prestigious nursery);The Conifers, Wreningham. There are
also gardens within Norwich - Biishop's House, The Exotic Garden, The Bear Shop (Elm Hill), 7 Connaught Road, North Lodge,
The Plantation Garden and Strangers Hall.
Many have wheelchair access over at least part of the garden and generally children are welcome.
Something for everyone!
Our next meeting is at Cringleford Church Hall on 11th May at 7.30pm. Nonmembers are welcome (£2 each). Janet Smith will tell us about the Drovers, who transported food on the hoof in the days before railways and lorries.