The day itself
This year's Mellor Open gardens will take place on Sunday 17th June 2012. The organisers are confident that there will be at least 20 gardens taking part this year in recognistion of the event's twentieth anniversary!
The History of Mellor Open Gardens
The first Mellor Open Gardens was held on a wonderful sunny day in May 1992 in aid of Imperial Cancer Research Fund. As predicted, such an event suited both residents and visitors alike and it was repeated, though without the sunshine, in September 1995. By July 2000 the day had become well-known and the newly relocated Mellor Primary School was able to provide facilities and hospitality in its excellent new building in the centre of the village. The morning’s memorable torrential rain did not seem to deter people from enjoying their day - in fact they were rewarded by a sunny afternoon and a huge traffic jam! However, the success of the event was further enhanced by the sum raised for the charity: an impressive £6,150.
With the growing popularity and scale of the event, Mellor Open Gardens 2004 was successfully devised as a collaboration between supporters of the charity, by now Cancer Research UK, and the local community. Both Mellor Primary School and the newly refurbished Mellor Parish Centre were open on the day, and a further innovation was the introduction of free transport in the form of two buses, which were hugely successful in easing the movement of visitors around the village. Visitors were also able to enjoy wonderful blue skies and high temperatures. The proceeds of some £10,000 were divided equally between Cancer Research UK and Mellor Parish Centre.
Mellor Open Gardens 2008 followed the successful formula of 2004 with sixteen gardens, two charity beneficiaries, two centres and two free buses. Over 1,200 visitors descended on Mellor to explore and enjoy some of its private gardens, its primary school, its memorial gardens and its parish centre. This time, strong winds presented everyone with a new meteorological challenge, but nonetheless, £11,820 was raised and shared equally between Mellor Parish Centre and Cancer Research UK. Like its predecessors, Mellor Open Gardens 2008 will be remembered for its wonderful gardens and its friendly hospitality.