AN Open Garden event held at Frogbury, Coldridge, by kind permission of Jeremy Lee, President of the Devon British Red Cross, raised the amazing sum of in excess of £19,000 for the Red Cross Afghanistan Crisis Appeal.

The weather was warm and sunny, and the setting was just perfect for such an occasion.

More than 150 people attended and were warmly welcomed by Jeremy.

Frogbury is a very old thatched and cob Devon farmhouse with an interesting array of outbuildings with woodland and land grazed by sheep.

The gardens include an arboretum, three ponds, which are home to many frogs, hence the name Frogbury.

Visitors were able to see the wildflower meadow, which is in the process of being grown on after two years.

The gardens are informal with colourful herbaceous beds and a variety of interesting plants, shrubs and features such as hedgehog hotels, bee hives, barn owls, moorhens, dormice, frogs, ducks and geese, together with an orchard and woodland walk and a variety of hares who seem relatively tame.

Visitors also saw mature and growing Elm trees and beautiful gardens, Jeremy being a dedicated gardener and plant enthusiast.

The gardens were prepared by staff at Frogbury and conducted tours were given by Jeremy’s head gardener.

Bacon butties, cream teas, cakes and drinks were available, served by members of the Red Cross Invitation Events Committee.

Jeremy thanked all those who were so generous in supporting the event and raising such a considerable sum for an excellent cause.