Village open gardens event in Ampleforth raises thousands for good causes

Ampleforth & District Gardening Club recently hosted its first village open garden event in 14 years (Image: Ampleforth & District Gardening Club)

A village open garden event raised more than £3,000 for charitable causes.

Ampleforth & District Gardening Club hosted its first village open garden event in 14 years on July 11.

The event, which saw 381 paying visitors, raised £3,189 after expenses.

A total of 15 gardens were open to the public, and refreshments were served at the village hall.

The club expressed gratitude to all contributors, including garden owners, helpers, and programme and raffle ticket sellers.

Ampleforth Football Club, the White Horse Inn, Ampleforth Surgery, St Benedict's Catholic Church, and St Hilda's Church were thanked for providing car parks and other facilities.

The funds raised allowed £1,063 to be donated each to the Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team Charity and the Ampleforth Village Hall Charity.

The Ampleforth & District Gardening Club also made donations to Ampleforth Football Club and both village churches as a token of gratitude for their support.

The club plans to make the open gardens event a biennial affair, with the next one scheduled for 2028.

An announcement has also been made for the Ampleforth Autumn Village Show, which is set to take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

A spokesperson for the club said: "We are very grateful to everyone who helped make the day possible, including the garden owners and helpers, those who donated baking, sold programmes and raffle tickets, and the volunteers who supported car parking and catering."

"Thanks to the support received, we were able to donate £1,063 to Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team Charity and £1,063 to Ampleforth Village Hall Charity.

"Our plan is to hold the open gardens event every other year, so watch out for it in 2028."