Gardens in Dersingham set to open up to visitors for annual event

Dersingham is set to host an annual open gardens and art trail this weekend, and will also fundraise for a new community building.

The event, which will take place on Sunday and Monday from 11am to 5pm, has seen gardening enthusiasts and artists in the village join forces to create it.

Jo Halpin Jones, who helps organise the event and will open up her garden and photographic studio, said a major change to the event, and to the village itself, is the partial demolition of the church hall, which used to be the focus of the open gardens and art trail.

She said: "The hall is being replaced by an impressive new village centre, which is emerging from a building site opposite St Nicholas Church."

Work on the site of the new Dersingham Village Centre began in September last year, and, according to its website, it is hoped it will open this autumn.

This year, the starting point of the open gardens and art trail is the church itself, where refreshments will be served.

There are a total of 20 gardens which will be open, and 13 artists in nine locations will be inviting guests to their studios as well.

Tickets cost £5, or £4 in advance from Dersingham Post Office, and under 16s go free.

The proceeds will support both St Nicholas Church and the village centre and the entry ticket covers both days.

For further information, visit www.dersinghamopengardens.co.uk.

Anyone interested in the centre is welcome to attend the AGM of the Dersingham Village Centre Association at Dersingham Social Club on Tuesday at 6pm.