FRIENDS of Victoria Gardens will be holding a public tea party for the Queen’s upcoming 90th birthday, on Saturday 11th June from 2pm to 4pm.
Victoria Gardens, near the town’s medieval All Saints Church, was first given to townspeople in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee.
On Saturday 11th June the gardens will be open as part of the nationwide round of events to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.
Cream teas will be served and music will be provided by music students from Matravers.
Organiser Sally Hendry said, “The sunken garden, which boasts shaded arbours, a stone circle of carved gargoyles and a wide range of traditional plants shrubs and trees, is a favourite place with local people.
“Once the mill pond of the nearby Town Mill which burnt down in 1861, the gardens have been allotments, a tennis court and a rubbish dump but were brought back to life in the 1992 by the Pearson family who lived nearby and who took on responsibility for the garden from the then district council.
“Now gardening parties of volunteers meet regularly to ensure the garden is looked after and nurtured.”
Friends chairman Julian Phelps is hoping the special royal celebration will help recruit more volunteers as well as ensuring more people find out about the garden.
“These gardens are a quiet haven just minutes from the town centre. We are hoping this event will encourage even more people to come along to enjoy and help care for this remarkable place,” he said.
Teas in the garden will be served from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 11th June. Any funds raised will go towards paying for plants and shrubs to enhance the garden.
For more information about the garden or to help, email fvgwestbury@yahoo.co.uk
