Well most of you have heard of the National Garden Scheme and most probably like me have enjoyed a lovely visit to a beautiful garden on a sunny afternoon.
Every year gardens across England and Wales welcome about 750,000 visitors and most of these beautiful gardens are privately owned.
One of our Sibsey members is involved with the Lincolnshire NGS but today I learnt something very interesting which I would like to share with you.
I was born in East Grinstead, a town in East Sussex and as a Ranger Guide our meetings were held in this beautiful old house on Hermitage Lane. The Scouts also used this building and we had rehearsals for the Gang Show there too.
Every year gardens across England and Wales welcome about 750,000 visitors and most of these beautiful gardens are privately owned.
One of our Sibsey members is involved with the Lincolnshire NGS but today I learnt something very interesting which I would like to share with you.
I was born in East Grinstead, a town in East Sussex and as a Ranger Guide our meetings were held in this beautiful old house on Hermitage Lane. The Scouts also used this building and we had rehearsals for the Gang Show there too.
It was owned by Alfred Wagg. He joined the family firm of Herbert, Wagg & Co, City Sockbrokers. When he became head of the firm it became known as Shroder Wagg, later Schroders (which still exists). He gave a large parcel of land where the famous Queen Victoria Hospital stands.
Incidentally, his sister Elsie (also a philanthropist) lived at the Hermitage with him and it was she that started the National Garden Scheme in 1926, where private homes opened their gardens on 'special days' to raise money for nursing and other charities.
All this time and I never knew that I had been inside her house.
Sadly today the Hermitage is a housing estate.
Incidentally, his sister Elsie (also a philanthropist) lived at the Hermitage with him and it was she that started the National Garden Scheme in 1926, where private homes opened their gardens on 'special days' to raise money for nursing and other charities.
All this time and I never knew that I had been inside her house.
Sadly today the Hermitage is a housing estate.
The wonderful gardens of The Old Rectory, West Keal
nr Spilsby, Lincolnshire - part of the NGS Scheme
nr Spilsby, Lincolnshire - part of the NGS Scheme
