Since 2003 the Sunbury Open Gardens scheme has raised over thirty thousand pounds.  Initially the funds went to the Sunbury Embroidery building fund, but in 2005 the Open Gardens were combined with those organised by St Mary’s Church and the funds shared.  Local businesses have played an important role in supporting the event, especially Skinners in The Avenue who each year sell our tickets.

In 2006 the fund raising for the Gallery was complete and it opened in that year.  Not only does it house a magnificent embroidery capturing the spirit of Sunbury, both past and present, it also has a café serving the most delicious home made cakes, soups and sandwiches. The Gallery has become a focal point of village life as well as attracting visitors from all over the world. If you have not seen the embroidery a visit is recommended.  .www.sunburyembroidery.org.uk  The embroidery continues to support the Open Gardens by selling tickets and promoting the event

As the Open Gardens had become part of village life, and was so successful in fundraising, the organisers looked for another cause to share the benefits with St Mary’s Church.  The obvious choice was the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice at Hampton.  The local fundraising group for the Hospice now assist by in selling tickets and getting involved on the day.  In 2010 they served teas to nearly 700 visitors on the day. Over £6,500 was raised by the scheme that year and was shared equally between the two causes.

Each year new gardens are introduced into the scheme, and old ones revisited, to offer visitors the opportunity to see what lies behind those hedges and walls.  Historic sites abound and hundreds of people have seen Saxon burial mounds, ice houses, old wells, Second World War air raid shelters and much more.  Gardens have varied from the pocket sized urban garden to the large walled garden with ancient trees.  Each is individual and, hopefully, provides the germ of an idea to be taken and used elsewhere.  The organisers are eternally grateful to the volunteers who preen their gardens before the event, and then spend long hours talking to the interested visitor

So come along and enjoy the gardens.  Not only will you be supporting worthy causes and enjoying others gardens, but you may also go away with that germ of an idea for your own garden