Goldsborough Hall’s Open Gardens, 24th July 2011

July this year wasn’t known for its spectacular weather , but, wow, we were certainly very lucky for our second garden opening for National Garden Scheme (Yellow Book) on Sunday 24th July.

The historic and Royal Gardens of Goldsborough Hall were opening once again to the public for charity with a five-day forecast showing light rain and 17C. However, on Sunday we woke to pure Yorkshire sunshine, clear blue skies and a lovely temperature.

Though we’d had a  huge lead up to the garden opening, the last few days had been frantic with deadheading roses, weeds being pulled, logs stacked, paths  brushed and fallen branches cleared away… Just why were we doing this AGAIN?

Then suddenly, it was the morning of the opening. Frantically busy, those familiar, huge pointed arrow NGS signs were hastily put out on the main roads leading into Goldsborough village from Knaresborough, Harrogate and York. Signs round the garden were put out too – Woodland Walk, Emperor of Japan’s cherry trees, Lime Tree Walk and so on.

Dave, the chef, was organising last minute kitchen prep with his team while the rest of us stuck signs up round the hall directing people to teas, lunches, gents and ladies and so on. Boxes of NGS Yellow Books for Yorkshire were lifted out and the family garden quiz, organised a few days before, was finally found!

The youngsters headed off to car park duty while the rest of us whizzed round making sure everything was ship shape.  The three plant sellers arrived to set up their stalls and there was great excitement when Mr Whippy’s icecream van drove in!

Volunteers from the village and friends began to arrive to set up two entrance gates, one in farmer’s field – now car park – and one by next door, St Mary’s Church, which was also open to the public on the day. Though the gardens were open at noon, our first guests began to trickle in around 11am, seeking coffee and cakes and a chat before the masses arrived.

The rest of the day is a blur of people! People came to walk round the gardens formerly owned by HRH Princess Mary in the 1920s and to take a stroll up the Lime Tree Walk, planted by Royalty in the 1920s. They asked questions, ate lunch, afternoon tea and scones, Mr Whippy icecream and listened to jazz, kindly provided by the Event Music Company.

And by 5pm, sunburnt and tired, we discovered our total was an impressive 729 visitors with over £3,500 made for NGS charities including Marie Curie Cancer, Macmillan Nurses and a percentage to our local St Mary’s Church, Goldsborough.

Some huge thanks

Ray Farrer, Goldsborough Hall’s gardener, without whom all this would not be possible

Chris and his team from Event Music Company

Lisa and Allison from The Wedding Affair for working on the gate all day!

Taylors of Harrogate for once again sponsoring the teas

Biddy Marshall, head of Yorkshire NGS for her continuing support

All the volunteers, friends, neighbours and family who always rally round

St Mary’s Church for opening up to our visitors

And to everyone who came!

The historic gardens of Goldsborough Hall were open to the public last year for the first time since 1930 and over 2,700 visitors came to the summer opening. HRH Princess Mary and her husband Viscount Lascelles lived at Goldsborough Hall in the 1920s before moving to Harewood House. Goldsborough Hall still a private family house but is run as a stunning Yorkshire wedding venue and a ‘posh’ b&b. Visitors can come round the gardens and take afternoon tea by appointment.