Thetford Open Gardens (TOG) celebrated its 20th anniversary with 34 gardens opening across the town and a further four in Croxton.
Thetford Open Gardens volunteers and supporters at the “Thank-You” event at Thetford Garden Centre. Image © Mark Robinson
Visitors, including the Mayor of Thetford, Cllr Vic Peters, the Mayoress, Joanne Peters, and MP Terry Jermy, enjoyed exploring a wide variety of gardens, from those sweeping down to the river to smaller spaces that maximise every inch and provide valuable urban wildlife havens. This year also featured 12 new gardens, offering plenty for visitors to discover, along with a glorious selection of cakes and refreshments.
TOG is marking its 20th anniversary with a special concert on Sunday 16th August, meaning the 20 for 20 fundraising campaign is still running. “We have already surpassed the £18,000 mark and feel confident that we can reach our target of £20,000,” said TOG Chair Karen-Emma White. “We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved so far, and to the performers taking part in our Tunes for Twenty concert. We literally couldn’t do it without you.”
Tunes for Twenty will feature special performances from Breckland Brass Band, Pop Club Choir and vocalist Chloe Preston. The event has been made possible through the support of Thetford Town Council, …for Thetford and PPL PRS. The concert is now sold out.
The Thetford Open Gardens team – Image: ©neiljamesmedia.com
Garden owners were welcomed to Thetford Garden Centre on 6th July for a thank-you celebration and to assist with the Grand Draw. Guests were treated to exceptional canapés and a glass of fizz while enjoying the evening sunshine on the terrace, organised by James Feuer, Senior Catering and Hospitality Manager. The TOG team would like to thank everyone at Thetford Garden Centre, especially James and his team, for hosting such a wonderful evening.
Pauline Donkin and Charlie De-Moore from St Nicholas Hospice Care spoke to garden owners about how funds raised by TOG are used, and thanked everyone for their ongoing support and contributions. Winners of the Grand Draw were then announced…
| Raffle Prize | Prize Winner |
|---|---|
| £400 gift voucher sponsored by Rhino Greenhouses | Gary Howe |
| £100 TGC vouchers sponsored by Thetford Garden Centre | Amanda King |
| Assembly House Afternoon Tea sponsored by Black Fox Web Services | Sue Pilgrim |
| £150 travel vouchers sponsored by IC Travel | Jim Sawer |
| Garden Hamper | Donna |
| £75 Cash sponsored by Simon Long Removals | Chris & Kate Rice |
| Big chicken platter | Bosh |
| Picnic backpack | Stanley |
| RHS garden visit sponsored by Camvac International | Sylvia Kingham |
| Leather designer backpack sponsored by Shadwell | Gloria |
| Cake hamper | Elsa Rabey |
| Harriets Tearooms Afternoon tea sponsored by Fine & Country BSE | SJ Eyles |
| Four hours of gardening sponsored by The Horticulture Industry Scheme | Adam |
| £25 Shopping voucher sponsored by Warren | Jane Rowlston |
| English Wine selection sponsored by Lovewell Blake | J Leader |
| Kew Gardens and Palace family voucher sponsored by Camvac International | J Leader |
| Tempting Tables voucher sponsored by Tempting Tables | Amy Way |
| Elveden Courtyard hamper sponsored by Mark & Kim Robinson | Uncle Paul |
| Fish & Chip vouchers sponsored by Croxton Fish Bar | Nicky |
| Brandy hamper | Bev Cole |
| Laura Ashley Garden tool set | Sue |
| Bird hamper books sponsored by BTO | M Bartrop |
| Pembroke Bone China hamper | Greg White |
| Seasonal room fragrance bundle | Lauren Stevay |
| Bee experience sponsored by Kate Coghlan | Wendy Brown |
| Pamper hamper | Molly Crane |
| Chicken hurricane lamp & candle | Ian Brown |
| Gourmet hamper | Bernie Samson |
| Prosecco and glasses | Rhonda Johnson |
| Red and White wine hamper | Fran White |
| Bottle of whisky | H Richardson |
| Scarlet O’Hara cocktail hamper | Miranda McCoy |
| Pony Trekking £50 voucher sponsored by Pony Trekking Thetford Forest | Knock family |
| Co-op hamper sponsored by Co-op Travel Thetford | Collette Gray |
| Picnic basket of goodies including vouchers sponsored by Puddin & Sweaty Mama | Rhys |
| LG-XG1 Bluetooth speaker sponsored by Hughes Thetford | Liz Burt |
| White wine selection bag | Knock family |
| Day Pass sponsored by Center Parcs | Louise Slim |
| Hair & Beauty hamper sponsored by Unique Hair & Beauty | Sylvia Livett |
| Brewery Tour sponsored by Green King | Marilyn |
| Planter sponsored by Roy Carpenter | Susan Sterling |
| Necklace and earing set sponsored by Chloë’s | Paul Draycott |
Since launching in 2006, Thetford Open Gardens has raised more than £170,000 for the hospice, growing steadily alongside the number of events organised by the volunteer team.
The initiative was founded by Barbara Neal and Liz Hodgson, both of whom have sadly since passed away. They were later joined by Rachel Woods, who served as Chair for 15 years before handing over to current Chair Karen-Emma White in 2020.
Sue Norman is now the longest-serving committee member, with 17 years of involvement, and is well known for the huge selection of homemade cakes served in her garden each year.
St Nicholas Hospice Care supports people across the local community facing life-limiting illnesses and must raise around £9.3 million each year to continue providing its services – the equivalent of around £26,000 every day.
While some funding comes from statutory sources, much of the charity’s work depends on donations, fundraising events and volunteers such as the TOG team. Funds raised during the 2026 campaign will help support patient care both within the hospice and out in the community.
Among those helped by the hospice is Miranda Currie and her family. Following a bowel cancer diagnosis in 2007, Miranda was referred to the Family Support Team, where she received counselling and therapy support.
Miranda (front right) with her counsellor Sarah (front left) and Jenny from Family Support (behind)
Five years later, after her mother was diagnosed with terminal bladder cancer, Miranda returned to the hospice and was reunited with counsellor Anne.
“Anne remembered me – every detail, every part of my story,” Miranda said. “That moment told me everything I needed to know about what kind of place this was. It wasn’t just about treatment; it was about being seen, remembered and supported.”
In 2023, Miranda’s husband Richie was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer, with St Nicholas Hospice Care once again helping support the family through one of the hardest periods of their lives.
“St Nicholas Hospice Care has been with me through three of the hardest chapters of my life,” she said. “My own illness, my mum’s death, and Richie’s final months. And they’re still with me now.”
