A GARDEN considered by many to be the most beautiful in the area has announced a record fundraising summer, despite the effects of the Covid pandemic.

Tudor Croft, Guisborough, is usually open to the public over four days during the summer months, but this year the decision was taken to reduce daily numbers by opening for eight days instead. The move increased safety, but it also resulted in more visitors than ever in total.

Organiser Mike Heagney said: “We are thrilled to announce that we raised a record total of £6,730 for our chosen charities.

“We have now given £2,600 to Kids Kabin, who do great work with young people in Middlesbrough, £2,600 to send five young people to Lourdes as helpers, which will benefit them greatly, £1,125 to Guisborough’s ecumenical Bridge Association and £405 in smaller donations.

“We could not possibly have achieved this without our wonderful team of gardeners and volunteers who work all year round preparing the gardens and make our visitors feel so welcome on our open days.

“In addition, two choirs, soloist Charlotte Potter, musicians and painter James McGairy all provided huge enjoyment. We are extremely grateful to them all.”

The next open garden events will be in February, when one of the biggest and best collections of snowdrops in the north of England will be on display.

The Heagney family have lived at Tudor Croft since the 1950s and have been raising money for charity ever since.

The garden has twice been featured on BBC’s Gardeners’ World as well as in Country Life and many other magazines.

It was created in the 1930s by prominent Yorkshire brick manufacturer Ronnie Crossley and include a huge range of plants as well as arbours, fountains, lily ponds, medieval stonework, a meandering stream, follies and even terracotta elves made at Crossleys brickworks at Commondale.