Nottinghamshire Hospice threw open the gates to its beautiful grounds on Sunday as part of the National Garden Scheme.

More than 150 people came to the hospice’s first ever open garden day, where they toured the grounds,  took part in a garden-themed treasure hunt, viewed vegetable beds planted by patients and enjoyed a cup of tea or glass of prosecco on the lawn while being entertained by the Mapperley Ukulele Group.

Mayor of Rushcliffe, Cllr Mrs Maureen Stockwood, (pictured) and Andrew Young, Assistant County Organiser for the National Garden Scheme were among the guests.

Andrew said: “I thought it was a lovely day. I enjoyed seeing lots of people enjoying the garden. It was a wonderful atmosphere created with music, pimms, teas and pottery. Janet Sue and Sheila should be proud of how the garden looked.”

Janet Hatton who leads gardening activities with patients says the garden is an important element of therapy. Many of the patients have been keen gardeners so they enjoy tending the beds and if the weather isn’t good enough, plants are brought inside to work with.

“Even if patients aren’t physically able to garden they can come out in the beautiful open space and lift their faces to the sky,” she said. “The garden is also a place where they can remember their friends.”

Joy Mitchell of Gedling, Nottinghamshire, who had never visited the hospice before, said. “What a beautiful, mature garden! I particularly loved the three different water features. It feels like there is somewhere to ‘be’ within the garden however you are feeling. There is so much to look at and it would have lots of interest at any time of the year.”

After the success of this year’s Open Garden Day there are plans to repeat the event on a yearly basis.