45 gardens to open for exhibition in 40th edition of Walsham le Willows Open Garden event

Organisers have revealed that 45 gardens and spaces in Walsham le Willows will be open for viewing by the public on August 28 and August 29.

This is to mark the village's 'Open Garden' event, now in its 40th year.

Tickets are currently on sale, with all proceeds raised to be donated to a variety of community causes.

This includes the maintenance of St Mary's Church.

Organiser John Stebbing said: "We can certainly claim to be one of the best, longest-running and most successful Open Garden events in East England and probably the rest of the country as well.

"The weekend relies on the hard work of lots of people and this year again there will be over 250 local people involved in some way or another - the garden owners, the people who bake, the catering teams around the village, the car parking teams and many more.

"Visitors don’t only come for the gardens, however lovely. They appreciate the calm and serenity of our lovely village and listen to music - this year from the Breckland Brass Band and the Gislingham Silver Band at the Memorial Village Hall.

"We have a village market where people can enjoy and sample the fruit and crafts of the Suffolk countryside, there is an arts sale and floral art in our lovely church, and we have the Hoxon Hundred and the Haughley Hoofers Morris teams on the Sunday."

The Right Reverend Dr Mike Harrison, Bishop of Dunwich, said: "The Open Gardens initiative is a great community-building enterprise and there are an impressive number of gardens being made available to the public despite difficult conditions weather-wise.

"It's also very heartening to see the support for St Mary's Church from local gardeners.

"I want to add my thanks to that of others for all those who, across the county, are supporting church buildings in this and other creative ways.

"Our beautiful Suffolk churches grace the local landscape and are a wonderful part of our heritage as well as signposting a living tradition of ongoing vibrant Christian faith.

"Ensuring they are in excellent condition for future generations is no small task and I am so grateful for all those who are sharing responsibility for maintaining them to as high a standard as possible."