MIDDLEWICK HOUSE in Corsham, was formerly the home of The Duchess of Cornwall and is now home to Nick Mason of Pink Floyd and his wife, actress Annette Lynton Mason.
This month, they are opening the gardens once again.This will be the sixth year since 2013 that they have kindly opened their gardens to raise money for local charities, which in the past have included Springboard Opportunity Group, Youth Action Wiltshire as well as this year’s two charities; The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust and Wiltshire Air Ambulance,.both charities have continued to serve Wiltshire during the pandemic.
This year Harefield Healing Garden will be joining the event to raise awareness and funds for the new garden at Harefield Hospital in Hertfordshire. They are turning an unloved space into a garden sanctuary, creating a place for patients and their families, and staff, to draw breath, recover and regenerate, and just be, in nature. Harefield treats patients with lung and heart conditions from all over the UK including Wiltshire.
The event at Middlewick House has grown and grown over the years, as families come back to see the beautiful gardens and menagerie of animals, including sheep and pigs. In 2019 when Nick and Annette mentioned the event on RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the turnout was amazing and an incredible £43,000 was raised for the two charities.
A large draw for many is the chance to see some of Nick’s classic and high performance cars that he displays in the grounds and this year will be no exception.
This year there will be around 40 stalls including favourites like Foxley Road Nurseries alongside many ones selling everything from jewellery and accessories to food and homeware.
As always the refreshment barn will be open throughout the day with a delicious selection of cakes on offer. The barbeque is being increased due to demand when the event was held in 2019 and Lacock Dairy will be on hand with their ever popular ice cream stand.
Nick and Annette Mason said: “We love supporting the two charities - The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust and Wiltshire Air Ambulance and it’s a wonderful way of making sure we get everything done in the garden!”
There is plenty to see and do in the garden.
Jennie Shaw, director of The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, explains: “Even with his busy touring commitments Nick and Annette know how important this weekend is to local charities. In the five years they have raised more than £120,000 which are vital funds for vital charities. It’s a super weekend which thousands of people have attended over the years.”
Barbara Gray, from Wiltshire Air Ambulance, says this is an important event for them: “This is the fourth year that Nick and Annette have chosen our charity to benefit from their event. The funds raised will enable us to continue saving lives, as we have been doing since 1990.”
Please note that due to government restrictions they will be limiting numbers to this event and advise you to pre book a ticket. There will be social distancing and a one way system in place. For up to date info, please head to the website below.
Charity Open Garden Middlewick Lane, Corsham, SN13 0PX June 26 & 27 2021, 11.00 am – 4.30pm, Entry fee £7, children under 12 are free List of trade stands and advance ticket sales available at: • www.middlewickhouseopengarden.com
Charities supported this year: www.wiltshirebobbyvan.org.uk + www.wiltshireairambulance.co.uk + www.harefieldhealinggarden.co.uk
This article originally appeared in the June 2021 issue of Wiltshire Life