WITH warm sunshine and blue skies, Sunday was the perfect occasion to spend time walking around gardens.

And that’s exactly what the residents of Ropley found when 11 householders invited the public to come and view their flora and fauna, which this year withstood an early April frost, as well as drought and strong winds on the run up to the open day.

However, everything was immaculate as visitors moved from garden to garden in the centre of Ropley, enjoying a variety of landscapes from a tiny courtyard to a sweeping acre of lawn and flower beds.

Along the way they enjoyed refreshments and bought raffle tickets for prizes that included a box of wine and a food hamper.

“It was a perfect day,” said Alison Wood, who organised the event with Jill and Maurice Shakespeare, “and we had more than 300 visitors.”

“It was the first time residents have opened their gardens in 12 years and it was in aid of the rebuilding project for St Peter’s Church and The Rosemary Foundation, which is a hospice-at-home service carried out by those who worked at at the former Sue Ryder Home in Petersfield, and we made £2,800 which will be divided between the two.”

Homes of Alton Two Acres Nursery and Garthowens made donations to the open gardens day.