Preparations are well underway for this year’s Thetford Open Gardens (TOG), with the team organising the first event of their 20 for 20 campaign.
The TOG Curry Night returns on Monday 13th April at New Saffron on White Hart Street. Tickets are on sale and selling fast. Guests will enjoy a two-course meal with a choice of main and sides, plus a blind raffle with fantastic prizes, including a meal for two with wine and hampers, all in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care. Last year the event raised £1,157.
“We’re delighted to be joining forces with New Saffron again and grateful to Shipon and the team for their support and generosity. Last year was a huge success, and it was wonderful to see so many supporters enjoying an evening together,” said TOG Chair, Karen-Emma White. “We’d like to thank the team at New Saffron, along with all the other businesses and supporters who have kindly donated prizes.”
The main Thetford Open Gardens event will take place on Sunday 28th June, and the team is currently seeking 25–30 gardens from across the town to take part. The main Thetford Open Gardens event will take place on Sunday 28th June, and the team is currently seeking 25–30 gardens from across the town to take part. With 18 gardens already signed up, the team is seeking additional gardens in Croxton Village, Croxton Road, Bury Road and Kingsfleet. Whilst these are the target areas, anyone in Thetford is warmly invited to take part. You don’t need a show garden, just a welcoming outdoor space with separate access. Thetford Open Gardens is all about how you use your space. For example, if you’re musical, you might choose to include live performances throughout the day.
TOG Garden Ambassadors support participants throughout the process and the event is covered by insurance from St Nicholas Hospice Care, meaning there are no additional costs for opening a garden to the public. Gardeners can sign up by clicking here before 31st March.
The much-loved plant sale will return on Saturday 9th May at 28 Arlington Way. , This is always a fun way to pick up a plant or two. If you are having an early tidy-up or clearing beds, plant donations can be dropped off at Arlington Way and Sue has spare pots if needed.
Each year, more than fifty cakes are baked to support TOG fundraising. To help cover costs, the team is again seeking cake ingredient sponsors alongside raffle prizes for the Grand Draw and smaller raffles throughout the campaign. As always, 100% of all funds raised go directly to St Nicholas Hospice Care, with running costs covered by sponsors.
Last year St Nicholas Hospice Care supported over 105 people and their families in Thetford with high-quality, specialist palliative care, emotional and practical support, so that no-one in West Suffolk and Thetford has to face dying, death and grief alone.
Lawsons Estate Agents, Thetford Garden Centre, About Thetford and Colour Print have committed to be main sponsors again this year.
Tickets go on sale in early May from Leaping Hare, Thetford Garden Centre, Lawsons and the plant sale. They cost £8, with under-12s free with a paying adult. Raffle prizes for the Grand Draw are also sought, including vouchers, garden gifts and days out. For more information or to offer support email: thetfordopengardens@gmail.com
