Lavish local garden opens to the public for charities

A LOCAL artist is opening her leafy and lavish country garden to the public this weekend to support some of the UK’s best-loved nursing and health charities.

Kathleen Ward says she is thrilled to be opening up her outdoor haven, located at Tattykeel House on Doogary Road, outside Omagh, on Saturday and Sunday in aid of the National Garden Scheme.

With her artist’s eye, Kathleen has developed her garden over the last 30 years with splashes of colour and glorious texture.

“It’s a country garden of around one-and-a-half acres, planted with conifers, shrubs, roses and perennials,” Kathleen said.

“There is a sheltered seating area, a Japanese-influenced area with a red bridge, water, and hostas, and a collection of well-grown climbers on the house.

“The garden recently underwent numerous improvements, and I’m thrilled to be opening for such a wonderful cause this weekend.”

You can enjoy Kathleen’s garden, browse her art studio and indulge in delicious home-made teas this weekend, with all proceeds going to support some the UK’s best-loved nursing and health charities through the National Garden Scheme.

The garden opens from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. The cost is £5 for adults, while entry is free for children.

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands, and raises impressive amounts of money for charities through admissions, teas and cake.

Thanks to the generosity of garden owners, volunteers and visitors, more than £63 million has been raised for charity.

Founded in 1927 to support district nurses, beneficiaries of the scheme include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and the Queen’s Nursing Institute.

l For more on the opening, see https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/ 43662/tattykeel-house-garden.