This year we decided to hold the annual fund raising event for the Lion’s Club on one day instead of over two days as in previous years , we were lucky with the weather and the people of Clonmel came out in droves with over 300 people visiting the garden and 2000 euros was collected for the very worthy local Clonmel charity , Riding for the Disabled .
Snezana and I prepared the garden but the real work was done by the two fabulous committees who set up a marquee , organised face painting and Fairy doors , baked cakes ,scones and buns , made tea and coffee on a scale not seen since the loaves and fishes back in biblical times !
A huge thank you also to the group Strange Things and Twiggy who sang their hearts out for free and to Kilkenny gardening writer , Shirley Lannigan, who introduced her new book The Open Gardens of Ireland and made herself available for questions on gardening throughout the afternoon .
A Big Thank You to everyone and to friends who came from far and wide to support !
Pascal Mansfield and Caecilia van Peski get in the frame
Addison and Keeling carry in their Dad’s cakes
Conrad , Clonmel Lion’s Club , can always ditch the day job to become a full time bakery chef !
A trio of Clonmel Gardeners , Janet Sheils , Mary O’Donovan and Mary Feeney
The frames proved very popular
Please don’t turn on the water !
Getting into the spirit of things !
Framing the Water Garden
Straight from the cast of Cats
Shirley Lannigan launches her book , the Open Gardens of Ireland
An appreciative audience listening to Shirley
Joe O’Malley enjoys the music
Rainey O’Meara and Sean with Jessica
The 2 pm guided tour
The Clonmel duo , Strange Things sang their hearts out all afternoon
Kilcash man , Twiggy belted out some great songs
Local TD , Mattie McGrath , turned out to support the Open Day
We should have charged for photos with Mattie who was in great demand !
Tesco’s Clonmel donated some cakes for sale
Local Clonmel Teacher , Ms Stapleton and Riding for the disabled committee member helps out
Rainey and Margaret framed
Finally a big thank you to all who attended and who made it such a great day !
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