[H]otelier Jonathan Denby is opening the gardens of his Grange-over-Sands House as a fundraiser for local horticultural charity, Growing Well.
Based to the south of Kendal the organic farm will be providing refreshments at Yewbarrow House, on Hampsfell Road on Sunday 1 July between 11am and 4pm. The open garden event also supports the National Garden Scheme.
Cheese and chive scones, with broad bean hummus and mixed salad and chocolate and beetroot, parsnip and apple or courgette and lime cupcakes are on offer with a cuppa. As is a rare opportunity to explore a colourful four acre garden, full of exotic and rare plants, with dramatic views of Morecambe Bay. ‘More Cornwall than Cumbria’ according to a review by the magazine Country Life.
Growing Well involves people with mental ill heath in its running – as a journey to recovery – working with GP’s and other mental health charities and support groups. People can be referred, or self-refer, to access the free support.
In the last four years, Growing Well has doubled the number of people it supports who are feeling depressed, anxious or finding everyday life difficult. In 2017, two thirds of the 125 people they helped progressed into employment, training or volunteering and 91% reported an improvement in their mental health as a direct result of their experience.
Growing Well operates out of six poly tunnels, three yurts, a field kitchen and mobile offices on a six acre farm, rented from Low Sizergh Farm, a 341 acre National Trust tenant farm.
The 15 tonnes of fruit, vegetables and salad grown each year provide up to 100 local families with a weekly crop share and lunch for 20 people onsite. Salad crops are also sent to Westmorland services, at J38 of the M6 at Tebay, and to local restaurants.
For more information about Sunday’s event (1 July) visit http://www.yewbarrowhouse.co.uk/
