Inspirational Bridget, 89, to open her new garden at Ringstead event

An 89-year-old resident is keeping up her tradition of opening her garden to the public as villagers in Ringstead host their open event this Sunday.

Bridget Crowfoot, described as the “doyenne” of Ringstead gardening, has not let moving home stop her from taking part in the Open Gardens event while she is in the process of developing her new green space.

Bridget moved to Apple Tree Cottage with her husband Tony in 1991, and set about transforming the two acres of wilderness and brambles into a wonderful garden of flourishing borders and majestic trees.

Her garden has been enjoyed by many visitors since she first opened it in 1993 to raise money for St Andrew’s Church - and now, visitors can look forward to seeing her at Oak Tree Cottage, which is set in the original grounds of Apple Tree Cottage where her eldest son John and wife Amanda now live.

After moving in September, Bridget has spent the last few months planning and planting up the new garden - which is still a work in progress and overlooks her former home.

The challenge of a new garden at any age can be daunting, but Bridget has a “can do” attitude.

“Gardening is essential. If you say you can’t, you’ve had it at my age! It’s a must – I can still get on my knees and still get up. Sitting in my garden, I gather strength,” she said.

While Bridget’s son and daughter-in-law might have taken on a big challenge to tend and maintain the extensive Apple Tree Cottage garden, Bridget said: “They needn’t worry, I’m keeping an eye on things from my corner over the fence.

“I still need to source more cuttings from them too. And I’ll be on hand to tend, advise and ‘instruct’ of course.”

Bridget’s popular plant stall will also be open again this year at Apple Tree Cottage.

There will also be tombola and raffle stalls at the village hall, the bowling green will be open for visitors to have a go, you can take a walk round Courtyard Farm, or head off to Ringstead Downs Woodland Garden.

A free minibus will take visitors around the village. Gardens will be open from 11am to 5pm and £6 gives admission to all locations

A spokesperson for the event said: “A tradition spanning nearly 50 years, the Ringstead Open Gardens Sunday is popular with both locals and holidaymakers, many of whom return year-on-year to spend a day touring the gardens and enjoying delicious homemade lunches and teas – all designed to reflect the epitome of a wonderful British summer day out.”

The gardens will be in full bloom with a wonderful range of flowers, and many hosts have joined the tradition of opening their gardens to raise money for the village church.

Visitors can also enjoy homemade lunches and teas in the village hall and car park - inside if wet - where there will be live music.

Lunches will be served from noon to 2pm at £17.50 a head - email bonallack@sky.com to book and teas will be served from noon to 5pm.

All money raised goes to St Andrew’s Church where, from June 7-9, between 10am to 5pm, there will be an art exhibition and flower festival with the theme, ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’.

See Facebook and Instagram @ringsteadopengardens for more details.