Wandering around the garden

Visitors to 34 The Gorseway certainly thought so because 60 of them turned up at the weekend at the home of Gwyneth and Basil Ludkin.

Gwyneth said: "It was busy-busy-busy...But my 17 year old grand-daughter Sam Staveley came down to help and she was the waitress, poor little soul - she was run off her feet trying to keep up with the orders she was taking."

Sam didn't just help on the day, she made flapjacks, shortbread, eccles cakes and bakewell tarts for those who could squeeze in a little more. Gwyneth herself made 100 plain scones for the afternoon, piled high with butter, jam and cream, or as she descibed - "all the naughties".

Gwyneth said: "I love catering for a start, and I love having people around me."

She didn't have time to escort visitors around the restful and lovely garden she has worked on since 1985 but enjoyed hearing glowing compliments as people left.

"I am the gardener - my husband does all the hard gardening such as building walls but I do everything else, all the planting and growing and mowing the lawn and stuff...I don't even allow him to pull a weed out."

She takes great pride in her work and enjoys growing larger plants that are too big for most gardens, or unusual blooms which don't often turn up.

The event raised more than 200 for the Poppy Appeal which Yvonne Lee , appeal co-ordinator for Little Common Royal British Legion, said was "wonderful".

"The tables were all full, and people were sitting about in the sun - it was a fantastic afternoon. Gwyneth did so well and her family supported her beautifully. People were very delighted with the garden."

The branch is currently appealing for collectors to help with the Poppy Appeal this year and Yvonne stresses that volunteers do not have to be British Legion members.

For more information call her on 07769 807661.