A quintessential English country garden – nestled in the heart of Boningale in Shropshire – is hosting a special open day this weekend to raise vital funds for Albrighton Development Action Group (ADAG).
A former winner of several local Best Front Garden awards, The Old Farmhouse will be inviting gardening enthusiasts and local people to walk around the stunning mix of roses, herbaceous borders and a productive vegetable garden on Sunday June 28th (between 2pm and 5pm).
This is a rare opportunity to visit a classic cottage garden surrounding a Grade II listed 17th century timber-framed farmhouse that was previously owned by the famous ‘Wulfrunian’ Mander family.
For just £10, adults can spend a delightful afternoon exploring the wide variety of flowers and trees, with the opportunity to enjoy tea and cake in one of the many delightful seating areas of the garden.
Owners Dipika and Nick Price are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds to help Albrighton protect 119-acres of nearby green belt from a land grab that threatens to destroy farmland and cause major congestion and strain on local infrastructure.
“We want to use the beauty of our garden to showcase how important beautiful spaces are to people and the role they play in boosting health and wellbeing,” explained Dipika, who has had her garden described as ‘amazing’ by the National Garden Scheme.
“The Farmhouse has been sympathetically restored to its former glory, and the cottage garden typifies English charm with statement flowers and collections. It’s a beautiful place to spend an afternoon and we’re giving people the chance to enjoy it for themselves.”
She went on to add: “There is a bigger cause behind the event. We are supporting Albrighton Development Action Group in its fight against Boningale Developments’ scandalous proposal to build 800 homes on green belt.
“It has already been unanimously thrown out by Shropshire Council, but now we find ourselves fighting an appeal that the developer has launched against the council’s decision. In order to do everything we can to protect our beautiful open spaces, we need to raise a significant amount of money.”
Following a public meeting attended by 200 furious locals, ADAG has agreed to become a ‘Rule 6’ party, which means it becomes an extra formal participant in the process and has employed legal and planning experts to cross-examine the developer.
This is going to cost over £50,000 and the community has already come together to raise £33,630, with several fundraising activities and personal charity challenges in the diary.
Dipika continued: “We are already playing our part in delivering over 770 homes – another 800 will take up 119-acres of unspoilt green belt and what for? Developer greed, that’s all.
“Our aim is to protect the green belt that makes Albrighton and Boningale such a special place to live, work and visit and we’re going to need as much funds as possible to win this fight. This battle is not only important to us, but it could well set the tone for other developments across Shropshire and the West Midlands.”
The Garden Open Day is £10 for adults and free for children. Parking is available at nearby Boningale Church car park, but please be aware that no dogs are allowed and, due to the quirky nature of the property, it is unsuitable for wheelchair access.
