Forget doing anything as energetic as running a marathon for charity, just enjoy a visit to one of our lovingly tended NGS gardens and take the leisurely way to helping worthwhile charities such as Marie Curie Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer Support (writes Josephine Hammond). For over 30 years, the people of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire have shown their generosity towards the National Gardens Scheme, contributing over £8,000 towards a total of nearly £2,000,000 raised throughout the UK. Let's make this, our 80th year as an organisation, a bumper year here in Wales. The gardens opening in May are mostly private gardens ranging from grand and historic to rural and relaxed, to small and urban. We depend on the generosity of our garden owners and visitors. Their gardens offer a pleasant and often inspirational outing as you enjoy the beautiful environments they have created and you can satisfy your curiosity as to what is hidden behind those mysterious garden walls whilst also doing a good deed for charity.
DYFFRYN FARM, Narberth
Dyffryn Farm, Narberth, will be open on Sunday, May 27, between 12 noon and 5 pm. It is a delightful relaxed garden bordered by a small river and specialising in bamboos and bog plants. The garden slopes naturally up from the river to grassy banks with native plants. Dyffryn Farm is set in a secluded valley which supplies a verdant rural background. Visitors can stroll around the various areas of the garden and enjoy home-made cakes and tea in a tranquil setting. Plants are also available for sale. Admission £2.50, children free. So now is the time to go out and enjoy all these lovely gardens, happy in the knowledge that you are also helping to raise money for some very worthy causes. Further details of these garden openings are also available in the NGS leaflets in all Tourist Information Centres. Opening next month: Sunday, June 17 - Nant yr eryd, Abercych; Sunday, June 17, and Saturday, June 23 - Coed y Ffynnon, Narberth, and Weir Castle, Treffgarne.