Plant sale aims for a bumper crop of hospice cash

A village plant sale which last year raised more than £5,000 for charity is setting its sights even higher this weekend.
hospice of st francis markyate plant sale preview May 2013hospice of st francis markyate plant sale preview May 2013
hospice of st francis markyate plant sale preview May 2013

Saturday’s event in Markyate, in aid of the Northchurch-based Hospice of St Francis, is described as the village’s party of the year.

It’s held in a High Street family garden which will be overflowing with summer bedding plants, a selection of perennials and popular fruit and vegetable plants.

The plants on sale have been selected and nurtured from seeds and plugs by a dedicated team of volunteers.

And there’s no need to worry about carrying your purchases to your car – young hands will be available to help.

Visitors will also be able to find out all about the work of the hospice and try their luck at a raffle which offers handmade garden ornaments, lunch at a country pub, a place on a wine tasting evening, a coach trip and many other desirable prizes.

Refreshments, picnic lunches and entertainment for the children are all laid on, and the sale kicks off at 10am.

The sale has been a fixture on the village calendar for more than 30 years and is a long-standing supporter of the hospice.

Spokesman Ian Bradley said: “Last year we raised in excess of £5,000. This year we hope – with your help – to give the hospice an even larger gift to support the invaluable care they provide.”