Wokingham

Wokingham District Council’s chairman Cllr Angus Ross will be attending two open gardens this month in aid of his chosen charity, the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance.

The first Wokingham open garden is being held on Sunday June 18 at 6 Melody Close in Winnersh. This delightful 2/3 acre garden includes a herbaceous bed, roses, shrubs, trees, a wild woodland area and vegetables. The following Sunday (June 25), three properties – 23, 25 and 27 Glebelands Road in Wokingham – will open their doors to their impressive gardens. Number 23 has wheelchair access. Number 25 is full of heathers, alpines, hostas and acers. There is a variety of colour, shape and form at number 27.

Both events are open to the public and cost £3 for adults, while children are admitted for free. All proceeds will go direct to the charity.

Wokingham Cllr Angus Ross said: “It is wonderful that these garden owners open up their gardens for all to enjoy whilst raising money for the charity at the same time. I am delighted to have been invited to attend and hope that many local people will join me in raising vital funds for the air ambulance.”

It is traditional that the Wokingham chairman supports a charity during his term in office. The Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust is a charity funded by the businesses and people of the Thames Valley. The air ambulance started operating in June 1999 and is based at White Waltham near Maidenhead. The yellow Bolkow 105 helicopter carries life saving equipment and is crewed by a pilot and two paramedics. It can transport one patient to one of several hospitals in the area with landing facilities, or to a specialist hospital if required. The paramedics are provided by the NHS but all other costs are funded by the Trust.

Celia Storry, organiser of the open garden scheme and volunteer at the Trust, said: “The Trust is very grateful to all the garden owners who not only open their gardens to the public but provide delicious home-made teas and plants for sale too. It all provides a very enjoyable afternoon out whilst raising much-needed funds for this essential service. Brochures with full details of the whole summer's programme of open gardens are available at all libraries and at many garden centres."

Wokingham District Council