Over five hundred people attending Susan and Jefferson Conway’s fourth annual ‘Open Garden’ in July had no idea what delights lay at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in Haslingden.
Beyond the house an exceptionally large garden disappears down the hillside to the valley bottom where a large pond has been created. Susan and Jefferson have spent years creating this hidden gem on spare land acquired with the house.
Steps lead down to a Japanese Tea House with stream, hostas and acers and used for unwinding after a hard day’s work. Walking down the garden past an outdoor chess set a rowing boat “Tight Annic” has been set on the beach. Walking back up the garden reveals a Klondike gold mine, complete with prospector’s skeleton, old tools, rails and truck. The garden is full of an amazing variety of plants and shrubs.
This fundraising event, which raised £3,000, was organised by the owners in support of three charities - RNLI Haslingden, Rochdale Hedgehog Rescue and Smile Train.
Volunteers baked and sold cakes in the Mediterranean area, and these could be enjoyed whilst listening to the beautiful voice of Grace O’Malley, the local schoolgirl who has herself raised large sums for charity.
