Long Close
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Long Close Gardens – Sunday 11th September 2011

It is very rarely that the Charnwood Branch of Cancer Research attempts to arrange an outdoor event. I think it must be something to do with the vagaries of the good old British climate. However, when John Oakland kindly agreed to let us have a private viewing of his wonderful garden at Long Close Woodhouse Eaves, as a fund raiser for Cancer Research, it was an offer we felt we could not refuse.

The predicted weather for Sunday the 11th September was for strong winds; sunny with thunderstorms. You might say that this is par for the course. However, on the day, it turned out to be a little breezy but the sun shone and it was warm and it was dry. A host of our friends and supporters from all areas of Charnwood and as far afield as Nottinghamshire, came to admire these lovely gardens.

Long Close garden has been open to the public for charity for over 50 years and in 2003 in the ‘Gardening Which’, readers voted it to be one of their favourite National Gardens. Over the years many changes have been made to the garden which covers an area of five acres and it is now a garden for all seasons. Many herbaceous borders have been replanted, there is now a parterre, a cottage garden, a woodland walk and a wild flower meadow.

Walking through the gardens it was easy to appreciate just how much love and attention is constantly being given to allow the gardens to flourish and for it to be an area of such peace and tranquility. Bird song, the crowing of cockerels, the wind rustling through the bushes and trees and the sound of autumn leaves softly crushing under foot, took the place of the all too familiar traffic noise for which we have had to become accustomed. Wonderful! Peace reigned!

Our thanks to the band of friends who helped our depleted committee to run this event. In total we raised £859.40 for research into the treatment and cures for cancer. Finally, a big thank you to John Oakland who allowed us to have access to his beautiful home and garden and gave us much useful advice as to how best to run the event.

Chair of Charnwood Branch of Cancer Research