A band of charity fundraisers in a North Shropshire community has again been rewarded for its hard work in organising an annual plant fair on the May Day Bank Holiday.
Not even rain on the day of this year’s Welshampton Plant Fair and dreadful weather in the run-up to the event could dampen spirits as the volunteers raised a stunning £8,250 in three hours by selling a huge selection of plants.
The money has been divided between Shropshire Macmillan Cancer Support and St Michael and All Angels Church, Welshampton. The plant fair has now raised £58,250 for charity in the 11 years since it was launched.
The event included an auction of ‘Special Plants’ by Andrew Beeston, senior fine art auctioneer and valuer at Shrewsbury-based Halls. The auction featured select plants donated by top plants people in the area, including garden owners, specialist nurseries and National Collection holders.
For the first time this year, a ‘Special Plants’ auction catalogue, with details and photos of the lots produced by the fine art team at Halls, was available on-line prior to the event.
One of the donated plants was a young oak sapling propagated from an acorn off a tree that was originally planted in the grounds at Combermere Abbey by the Duke of Wellington in 1820, when he visited to stand as godfather to Baron Combermere’s son.
Combermere Abbey’s head gardener Phil Tatler grew the seedling to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Wellington’s victory at The Battle of Waterloo, in 1815.
In addition to the auction, there was a grand plants sale, stalls, a grand draw and refreshments.
“We are indebted to all the donors for their support and generosity, which gave us the opportunity to offer a unique selection of specimen plants,” added Gill Eleftheriou, plant fair co-ordinator. “The top price paid was £45 and the auction alone made well over £1,000.
“Considering the weather on the day of the plant fair, we did very well. I’m sure it put off some people but we were very pleased with attendance. We had larger marquees this year and they were packed full to capacity with people.
“The event has wonderful help and support from the local community but, after 11 years, most of the plant fair committee are now in their late 60s to 80s. We have been very pleased to welcome the help of some younger members of the community this year and we would like to see even more involved next year to ensure that the event continues to prosper. It’s very much a team effort,” she added.
Helen Knight, Macmillan Cancer Support’s fundraising manager in Shropshire, said: “It really is a wonderful community event that brings people together. In addition to the wonderful sum of money, the event raises awareness of Macmillan Cancer Support.
“On the day of the event, I was able to speak with and support a couple of people who were going through a difficult time with cancer. Some of the money from the plant fair will go towards a new sarcoma support group at the Orthopaedic Hospital, Gobowen, which will be attended by people from across the country.”