More than £2,000 was raised at Beachamwell Open Gardens on Sunday to keep their village church open for another year.

As many as 15 enthusiasts opened up their gardens to visitors and raised money for St Mary’s Church in Beachamwell in the process.

The annual Beachamwell Open Gardens, which this year raised a total of £2,322, runs to keep the church doors open for another year.

Churchwarden Vesna Hudson said: “It is an annual event where we raise money to go towards the running costs of our church.

“The amount we raise is really dependent on the weather, but this year we were lucky.

“I would say last year’s total was about half of what we raised this year, and that’s due to last year’s rain.

“The money raised on Sunday will go towards running costs, such as paying bills. As a village church we need to fundraise to keep going.”

Guests were invited to view 15 gardens around the village as well as catch up with friends over a cup of tea.

She added: “I would like to give a thank you to everybody who turned out. From what I have heard, everybody enjoyed themselves.

“Another thank you should go to our keen gardeners who have been working hard to make their gardens ready for this event. Their gardens were beautiful.

“There were also some gardeners who put out cake stalls and were also selling plants.

“It was a very enjoyable day for everybody involved, and hopefully we will be as successful next year.”

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