Gaddesby will be welcoming visitors on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June 2013 from 11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. to visit ten inspiring gardens. Most gardens are open for the first time, although one has opened before as part of the National Gardens Scheme and includes mature trees, a woodland walk, water garden, herb and potager garden and interesting topiary.
Our Open Gardens event is supported by Coles Nursery of Thurnby, Leicestershire which is celebrating its centenary this year. Coles have their tree growing site in Gaddesby which contains over a million trees and some visitors will be able to tour the site as part of the Open Garden days.
Yew hedges, Cedars of Lebanon, thatched cottages and a tree lined hill all provide a beautiful backdrop to this traditionally English village and there will be something for everyone as funds are raised for the 12th century St Luke’s Church restoration fund. Last year the National & Decorative Fine Arts Society surveyed St Luke’s. One member of the team wrote, “As you enter, pause – and you gaze upon an extraordinary interior – with distinctive stonework and an elaborate chancel paid for 700 years ago by Robert de Gaddesby”. St Luke’sChurch, Gaddesby was described by Pevsner in the 1950s as “one of the largest and most beautiful of the village churches of Leicestershire”. It dates from the 12th Century and recently featured in the BBC 4 television series, “Churches, How to Read Them” presented by Richard Taylor. It features a fine equestrian statue of Colonel Cheney on his horse at the Battle of Waterloo.
For children there will be ice-creams and a toy and clothes sale in the newly refurbished play area on Paske Avenue. Working off the delicious lunches and cream teas will be easy with the street zumba which will take place in Cross Street and artist Andrew Geeson (Melton Times’ “Gadd”) will be both exhibiting in the church and providing an artist in residence service in gardens. The Cheney Arms, the village pub, will be barbecuing each evening.
Gardeners looking for lovingly nurtured plants will find two plant stalls with a variety of specimens and included in the entrance fee there is an opportunity to win a plant from Coles Nursery in the daily prize draw.
Entrance is £4 per adult which includes car parking and children enter for free. Gaddesby is easily accessible from the A607 Syston-Melton Mowbray road, exiting from the Rearsby bypass.