Once again, Open Day was blessed with dry and even fine sunny weather, as the day went on. The team of volunteers got everything set up and ready in good time for the first visitors. Cynthia and Jamie ran a new stall on A Road dedicated to plant sales, and not only was there a lot of interest in the wide variety of plants for sale (all grown and donated by tenants), but it was a good way of welcoming people coming through the allotments and directing them up the paths to the rest of the activities. Packets of seeds were given out to visiting children, who were remarkably keen to choose and take away this promise of good things to grow and eat!
Andy led a successful walk through Sunnyside Old and New. The produce stall featured courgettes; so much so that free recipes were given out to encourage buyers! As well as a wide variety of other veg, there were posies of flowers, bunches of lavender and a huge range of jams and chutneys for sale. As always, the tea and cakes were the highlight of most people’s visit to the Open Day.
Thanks go to Berkhamsted’s Mayor, Tom Ritchie, for attending the event and for drawing the raffle prizes. We made £80 for the Hospice from the raffle, and added a further £690.81 to Society funds from sales of refreshments, produce and preserves.
And thanks to all who helped make the day a success, from pre-publicity to providing cakes and produce, mowing, and helping on the day itself, and especially to Angela Wheeldon and Wendy Calder, who jointly organised and co-ordinated all the work.
This year’s Open Day is the last one to be organised by Angela, who is passing the baton on to Wendy. So, much appreciation is due to Angela for all her hard work and leadership in making past Open Days so successful, and best wishes to Wendy, who will hopefully receive all our support in making next year’s Open Day just as great an event.
