Holker Garden Festival was once again a sign that summer had arrived in South Cumbria.
Thousands of people made the most of Friday and Saturday’s glorious weather and flocked to the annual gardening festival. The three-day event, hosted by the Cavendish family and sponsored by the North-West Evening Mail, is a celebration of stunning show gardens, local food and produce, and traditional skills.
The glorious sunshine made it perfect ice cream weather for festival-goers who descended for the perfect blend of horticultural celebration and family fun. Tents such as Made in Cumbria showcased the best of local produce, while show gardens and stalls kept browsers busy. Entertainment in the arena, which included horse-riding show Stallions of Substance and Terrier Racing, delighted the crowds who perched on haystacks in the seating area.
And the festival’s biggest fan this year came in the form of celebrity guest, BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Carol Klein. Carol was also guest of honour at last year’s event. Her enthusiasm for the event was infectious as she greeted visitors, posed for pictures, marvelled at the displays and perused the stalls.
She said: “I had such a brilliant time last year I brought my husband this year, I felt that he should not miss out because it is marvellous.
“How do they organise this weather? It is a beautiful show and it deserves it, it is a very joyous sort of occasion.
“It was my first time last year and I was so delighted to be asked back again. It’s so friendly and completely laid-back."
Carol also attended an auction to raise funds for St Mary’s Hospice. Once again very kindly hosted by Lord & Lady Cavendish and this year once again led by experienced auctioneer Mr Henry Bowring. The auction was a great success and raised £1990 for the Hospice.
Over the weekend St Mary’s was delighted to raise an amazing £5928.16 in total, and a big thank you goes out to everybody who supported St Mary’s throughout the weekend, provided auction prizes and contributed to help us raise such a magnificent total. The volunteer time provided to support this event was greatly appreciated.
