A FLOWER lover who opened up her garden to the public has raised £460 for the Migraine Trust.

Valda Walker, of Hilton, near Yarm, used to suffer from migraines and was helped by the charity.

She opened up her garden recently and about 80 people came to see her hellebore flowers. “It was lovely to meet so many nice people and fellow gardeners,” said Mrs Walker.

TABLE TOP SALE: A table top sale is being held at Newport Community Hub on Sunday, April 27. The event, at Newport Settlement on St Paul’s Road, Middlesbrough, will run from 9am to noon, with access for sellers from 8am. Refreshments will be available and admission is 50p with tables available for £5. To book a table call the Community Hub on 01642-802892.

FLOWER MEETING: The next meeting of Guisborough Floral Art Club will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday, April 9 in St. Nicholas's Parish Hall, Guisborough. The group is having a workshop given by Jean McClure.

LIBRARY REOPENS: Thornaby Library, formerly on Westbury Street, will reopen in the Riverbank Children’s Centre on Gilmour Street on Monday, March 31. The library will be open Monday to Thursday 9am to 4.30pm and Friday 9am to 4pm (closed for an hour at lunchtime).

TOP VETS: The White Cross Vets’ Coulby Newham and Redcar practices have been nominated for the Practice of the Year award run by pet insurer PetPlan. The nominations follows the company’s recent naming as one of the Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For. Redcar’s Practice nurse Allison Hodgson, has also been nominated for the vet nurse of the year award.

COMMUNITY WALKS: A new series of free community walks each Monday is being launched to help people enjoy Hartlepool’s countryside. The walks are run by Hartlepool Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Team and are between five and eight miles in length. All the walks are led by qualified walk leaders. The first, around Hart village, will be held on Monday, April 7 at 10.30am and starts at Hart Church car park. There is no need to book but for more information call Ryan Houghton on 01429-284414 or email ryan.houghton@hartlepool.gov.uk