The village of Mellor in Stockport enthusiastically shared its lovely views, its varied gardens and its renowned hospitality when it staged the fifth Mellor Open Gardens on Sunday May 25th. 2008. This community based event involved 16 individual private gardens opening their gates to the public to raise money for two charities, one national and one local.

Mellor Open Gardens started in 1992 and was subsequently held in 1995, 2000 and 2004 with the success of the event increasing on each occasion. 2008 was no exception and a sum of £11,820 has been shared equally between Cancer Research UK and Mellor Parish Centre.

The event, which was run by a small local committee representing both charities, has grown into a cherished special occasion that generates great interest throughout Stockport, High Peak, Tameside, Cheshire and beyond. Its scale was demonstrated, again, in 2008, when some 150 local residents volunteered to assist on the day and almost 1500 copies of the programme were sold. A number of the gardens welcomed over 1,200 visitors! Please go to 2008 Gardens for details and photographs of these gardens.

Sue Beesley, winner of the BBC Gardener of the Year competition in 2006, who generously spent the day in Mellor, said:

“It takes a great deal of courage and effort for a gardener to open their garden to the wider world, even for one day. But every gardener loves visiting other people’s gardens – there is always something to learn or to be inspired by. So thank you to the gardeners of Mellor for sharing your gardens with us in support of a worthy cause.”

The organisers gratefully acknowledge the enormous contribution made to the success of Mellor Open Gardens 2008 by the garden owners and volunteer helpers. Without them there would be no event.