ENTHUSIASTIC gardeners in Bridgerule had a tremendous response on Sunday, June 6 when they opened their gardens to raise money for the Devon and Cornwall Air Ambulance Trusts.

A total of £1,906 was raised, with a cheque for £953 going to each county's service.

For an entrance fee of £3.50, visitors could visit all seven gardens. There was a large four acre garden with ponds, lakes and specimen trees as well as a delightful foal – accompanied by proud mum – to see.

An older style 'wildlife friendly' cottage set in an orchard garden where you could buy lunches and rest a while with a cuppa, as well as an old mill with a culinary and medicinal herb garden were very popular with those who came along.

Riverside meadows could also be found here and a huge selection of plants could be purchased.

Two new gardens were involved this year, one from a third of an acre blank canvas and the other a moderately sized garden with beautiful borders, a vegetable area and a stream.

Another two returned after a year of rest, one which has new raised beds, Berkshire pigs and laying hens, and the other with lovely cottage garden style flowers and a large vegetable plot. There was something new for everyone to see.

This year, St Bridget's Church made and served cream teas amongst other refreshments, while the local methodist chapel ladies sold home made cakes at the cake stall which was well supported by the visitors.

A chicken dinner raffle prize was won by Barbara Bowden and light lunches were also served at one of the gardens.

All the gardeners agreed that the hard work was worth the effort and were delighted that the magnificent sum of £1,906 had been raised for these very worthwhile charities.

This was the fifth year that the gardens have been opened for the event and it is getting more and more successful each year, thanks to the generosity of the local people and visitors alike — some of which came from Worcester, Launceston and Barnstaple. Organisers hope to put the show on again next year.