REPORT FROM
DAVID BIRD
FOLLOWING THE DRIFT OPEN GARDENS 2007
Dear Friends
I just wanted to write a line or two in thanks to all our very
treasured friends, family and supporters of our open gardens
that took place on Sunday 17th June.
The day started with rain clouds on the horizon as we prepared
ourselves for our 5th open garden event for Changing
Faces. The tables were put out in the hope that we would
survive the day without getting a drenching. I was getting
rather flustered when two of our friends came over to help me to
arrange the bric-a-brac tables. My thanks must go to Vera who
lives directly across the road from me and to Christine who also
took the time out to give a woman’s touch of arranging the
masses of boxes. I just didn’t know where to start but I
was soon sorted out by these wonderful people.
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Lord & Lady
Walsingham were unable to attend and have sent their apologies
for this. The afternoon soon arrived and my fantastic band of
helpers came on the scene as usual and geared themselves up for
what we hoped would be a very busy event. I would like to say
thank you so much to David & Jeannie Worrell, Vera Dawkin, Win,
Roy Carter (our man on the gate) and of course my very dear wife
Joanne. Thanks must also go to all those very special
people who supplied cakes, bric-a-brac, prizes, plants and to
the people who gave those fantastic donations of money that were
handed over to me preceding, during and after the event.
I am deeply indebted to everyone for all of the magnificent help
and you have always given tirelessly regardless of the time and
effort it takes with no questions asked; you’re absolutely
brilliant! If I’ve overlooked anybody please accept my sincere
apologies. This has always been a fear of mine and
wouldn’t want to miss anyone out?
Finally I want to say a very special thank you to David Beeton &
Fred Bissett and Shirley & Ken Chapman who opened their
beautiful gardens in conjunction with our own. The hard
work that goes into making this event so exceptional is greatly
appreciated and I don’t know how I will ever repay you all for
your wonderful kindness. I know from the feedback I got that
everybody enjoyed visiting these magnificent gardens and enjoyed
the opportunity to see them. As you all know the weather was
very kind to us and everyone was able to enjoy the whole event
without getting wet. We seem to have been very lucky again
this year and this has been so since we first began in 2002.
You will be pleased to know that a grand total of £1060.00
has been raised from the three gardens - £250.00
of this money has been donated from a collection that was made
at the funeral service of our very cherished friend David
Henderson by his family and friends. I believe that this one
was one of David’s wishes and I’m sure he would have been so
proud to think how wonderful it was that this total sum of money
has been raised for the charity?
I have phoned James Partridge the chief executive of Changing
Faces today (20th June) to tell him of this fantastic
sum of money and he was so thrilled by the generosity of our
supporters. This money has now been sent on to the charity and I
know that it will be used very wisely to help all of those
people who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Thank you everyone we are so grateful for your kindness and all
that you do.
With our very sincere wishes
David & Joanne
19 The Drift