Be Bright For Sight and Get Gardening

July is the month when we are encouraging everyone to use their gardens to fundraise as part of our For Sight Appeal.

Gardeners throughout the county are being encouraged to ‘Be Bright For Sight' especially during the month of July by Cornwall Blind Association.

The local charity are hoping that gardeners everywhere will open their gardens, hold garden parties or sell garden produce to raise much needed funds for the For Sight Appeal.

Debbie Henshaw, Community Fundraiser, said: "This is a great opportunity for horticulturalists in the county to ‘Be Bright for Sight' with colourful garden displays.

Two private gardens in Carlyon Bay opened their gates to the public last July both have gardens of over 1/3 acre.

Number 19 has a number of tender, exotic, and rare plants. There are a number of fascinating palms from different places around the world as well as some unusual tree ferns and some South African Perennials.

Number 17 is a verdant, attractive garden and visitors will also have the opportunity to view and even purchase paintings which have been painted by the owner of the garden. There will also be light refreshments served and a raffle.

Martin Pallett, who lives at number 19 and is Chief Executive of the charity, explained:

"Gardening in actually one of the top interests among people with sight difficulties and there are a number of events taking place throughout July each year which are related to gardening. As well as my own garden and my neighbours opening we have a number of other gardens who have agreed to open in aid of Cornwall Blind Association, our very own Camborne Gardening Club entered a show garden into the Camborne Show".

During 2009, Cornwall Blind Association also hosted a Gardener's Question Time where visually impaired people and gardeners in Cornwall had a unique opportunity to ask a panel of experts their gardening questions.

Martin Pallett said:

"This is the first time that such an event has been organised in Cornwall and was open to everyone, whether they are visually impaired or sighted."

Jan Leeming, former BBC Newsreader, was chair and the panel consisted of Tracey Wilson who broadcasts regularly on BBC Radio Cornwall, Nigel Pascoe from Flambards and Richard Moreton who is the Head Gardener of Trewidden Gardens all of which are very experienced in many gardening issues.

The Gardener's Question Time was a chance for visually impaired people to ask questions of the panel.

The event took place as part of the Association's For Sight Appeal. The Appeal was launched at the 2009 Royal Cornwall Show and the Association have a programme of ‘Be Bright for Sight' activities over the next year with July being gardening month.

ENDS

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