The popular Tudor Croft gardens at Guisborough were recently opened to large numbers of visitors over four days in June.

The gardens were stunning, as usual, and the visitors were entertained by more than 100 people, whilst enjoying their afternoon teas with prosecco in the sunshine on the manicured lawns, including local soprano Charlotte Potter, saxophonist Joe Hayes, the Teesside Wind Band, two different choirs conducted by Paula Odell, Kevin Connelly, and the Lavender Mob Players.

The total amount raised for charities was £5,361, of which the majority has been given to Kids Kabin, which provides those children most in need in Middlesbrough with the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

A generous donation has also gone to the local branch of MIND, the mental health charity which is much in demand at the moment. This brings the total amount raised at Tudor Croft gardens this year to £10,591.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Soprano Charlotte Potter with Joe Hayes, saxophonist performing on the lawn

During the open days, Guisborough painter James McGairy created two paintings of the garden, one each weekend, and these were won by Fiona Roddam of Nunthorpe and Carol Kraus, visiting from Rossendale, Lancashire but formerly of Teesside.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Visitors, from left, Fran Wood, Jean Smith, Imelda Clarke and Pat Jarrold enjoying the ambience of

Like Carol, many people travelled long distances to see and enjoy the garden.

Tudor Croft will next be open for visitors to see the collection of more than 300 different snowdrops, many rare, in February 2024. All this has been possible due to owners, Mike and Gel Heagney, for their continuous generosity and to their staff and volunteers.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Mike Heagney, Charlotte Potter and Joe Hayes after their performance on the lawn