ON Sunday, June 25 Cheriton Fitzpaine will be a blaze of colour for the first mass Open Gardens event to take place in the village for more than 10 years.

Thirteen gardens, all within walking distance of the Parish Hall, will be open for people to wander around and enjoy from 1pm to 5pm.

The event is being organised by the Cheriton Fitzpaine Garden Club and will include afternoon teas at the Parish Hall as part of the entry cost.

Paula Mossman, Chair of the Garden Club, said: “We hope lots of people come along to see what a lovely village Cheriton Fitzpaine is. All the open gardens are within walking distance of the Parish Hall which is in the centre of the village.

“We have also arranged extra parking at the nearby Primary School. The gardens range from small patio gardens to much bigger gardens planted with a huge variety of flowers and shrubs. Most of them are completely hidden from sight from the road.

“These are ordinary gardens with all their associated joys and problems, but the variety and quantity will make for a very enjoyable afternoon and we are very grateful to all the owners for taking part.”

Entry to the event is just £5 for adults, £2.50 for children and this will include an afternoon tea with scones and home-made cakes.

Tickets, with a map of the gardens open, can be obtained from the Parish Hall from 1pm onwards on the day. Teas will be served from 2pm to 4.30pm at the Hall.

Maggie Sluman, Club Secretary, added: “Our club is going from strength-to-strength. We currently have almost 60 members, which is excellent for a village the size of Cheriton Fitzpaine.

“We love putting on events for the public to enjoy and this summer will also be holding our Annual Club Show on Saturday, August 5. This is an event which packs our Parish Hall with fruit, vegetables, flowers and floral art displays and is not to be missed.”