From the small and quirky to the big and grand, The National Gardens Scheme has more than 3,500 gardens across England and Wales which open their gates each year to raise funds for nursing, caring and gardening charities.

Most of the attractive gardens are privately owned by residents. These include participating gardens in and around the High Peak – in Glossop, Chinley and Tideswell.

Now, Sue Astles, the National Gardens Scheme's Assistant County Organiser for the area, is calling on more gardeners in the borough to get involved by parading their horticultural gems.

"It would be nice to have some gardens in the Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Whaley Bridge areas," explained Sue, who opens up her garden at Quarryside in Glossop.

"The people who get involved with the scheme usually love gardening, love to share their gardens and talk about their plants. It can be quite a lot of hard work, but if you love gardening it's not a problem. Remember, gardens can give people so much pleasure and therapy.

"A lot of people, the younger ones in particular, don't even know about the National Gardens Scheme, or think it's a bit highbrow, but it's not, and we would welcome some more younger members."

The National Gardens Scheme, a registered charity, has been opening gardens for good causes since 1927, each year welcoming more than half a million people and raising over £2 million.

Among the beneficiaries are Marie Curie Cancer Care, Macmillan Cancer Support, Crossroads, Help the Hospices, The Queen's Nursing Institute, The Royal Fund for Gardeners' Children, Perennial and The National Trust.

Sue added: "We are a caring nation, and people like the idea of raising money, because there are so many worthwhile charities that benefit through this wonderful scheme.

"Alternatively, if someone opens their garden to the public, they can nominate a charity that is dear to their heart and a percentage of what they take on a particular day could go to that, therefore helping the larger charities as well as the smaller, local ones."

* If you would like to open your garden for the National Gardens Scheme, contact Irene Dougan, County Organiser for Derbyshire, on 01335 370958, or alternatively visit www.ngs.org.uk for more information.

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