WITH its warm sunshine and blue skies, Sunday was a perfect time to spend time walking around gardens – as Ropley residents found when 11 householders threw open their doors to the public.

Visitors moved from garden to garden in the centre of the village, enjoying a variety of offerings, from tiny courtyards to an acre of lawn and flower beds. On the way they enjoyed refreshments and bought raffle tickets for prizes that included a box of wine, and a food hamper.

Alison Wood, who organised the event with Jill and Maurice Shakespeare said: “We had more than 300 people. It was the first time residents have opened their gardens in 12 years, and it was in aid of the rebuilding project at St Peter’s Church and The Rosemary Foundation, a local hospice at home service carried out by those who worked at at the former Sue Ryder Home in Petersfield. We made £2,800, which will be divided between them.

The village came together on Wednesday, June 14, for a tea party in the Village Hall in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox after her husband had said he hoped the nation would remember his wife by staging a community activity.