Changes within the Organisation
Joanna Southgate is to retire from the busy job of chairman at the end of July 2008. She will retain her association with the charity by becoming President. Alan Parfett has accepted the post of chairman, and will become part of the Trustee Committee.
Helen Battilana and Howard Evans will assist the Trustees with project work and we welcome a new member, Hilary Ross, who will be responsible for record keeping and communication within the project group.
Gardens Day 2008
Saturday, 28th June, dawned cloudy but dry which was an enormous relief to all those opening their gardens to the public that day! They had been working so hard for the preceding months – weeding, planting, pruning, shaping – and the end results were simply amazing.
The sale of tickets at the St. John’s Church Rooms was brisk right from the start and the visitors obviously enjoyed the home-made cakes and lunches served at the hall and the refreshments served in the gardens.
Apparently, throughout the day, much of Wilmslow was covered by people carrying the distinctive ticket, detailing the gardens and providing the map, and one gardener estimated that between 500 and 600 people had visited them!
Of course, the gardeners were exhausted by the end of the day but they had been so encouraged by the positive comments about their gardens and a wonderful £8500 had been raised which should provide water, and therefore improved health and vitality, for another needy, African community.
I thank God for you all – gardeners, visitors, committee members and helpers. Your hard work has achieved another record result.
Joanna