Events Other things to see, do and eat!

Opening Times – 11.00am - 6.00pm both days

Refreshments and loos available on arrival at the Priory Room, opposite the Main Car park and Village Memorial hall, next to the Bowling Green.

The Gardens coach service travels around the village on both days to rest those tired legs.

It can involve quite a bit of legwork to get round all of the gardens so to assist those who have difficulty walking longer distances a minibus makes regular circuits of the village. It's totally free – just wave it down and get on and then be dropped off at the next garden. The coach also stops at regular halts which are marked on the gardens programme. Of course you don't have to have difficulty walking to use the bus. It's available for anyone. The service will run from 10:45 until 6:00

Flower Festival in the Church portraying Village organisations.

Art in the Church

Thirty years ago, as a newcomer to Walsham, I went to an art exhibition in the Church and bought a print by Glynn Thomas. It shows a quirky semi-aerial view of my two favourite buildings in the village: the Church and the Six Bells pub opposite.

To show pictures in the church, as part of the Gardens Weekend, was the idea of the then Vicar John Rutherford, who understood art and knew artists. His Churchwarden, Mike Kidd, ran the exhibition for the next twenty-five years. Now three rectors later and numerous churchwardens the art exhibition continues. Several artists from earlier shows still bring us their pictures and each year we welcome artists from this part of Suffolk.

The range of pictures is huge. Some artists also show in London and Norwich, others are local amateurs. There is no hanging charge but artists donate 25% of the value of work sold to village projects and the maintenance of the church building. But, as one reply to this year's invitations said,"a lovely event, regardless of sales." Our aim is to give our visitors something interesting to look at even if it is pouring with rain.

We hope you will visit us this August bank holiday.

Music in the Church

Look round the art exhibition and listen to music by various Guest organists on both days. Songs of Praise on Sunday 5pm.

There will be a number of guest organists performing in our lovely Church from 2 to 5pm on both days.
11.30 David Brand - Monday
12.30 Kelvin Goymour - Sunday
13.30 Don Delanoy - Monday
14.00 Grant Vicant - Sunday
14.00 Margaret Ryder Offord - Monday
(Inbetween these times Alice Bushell's friend will be playing on both days !)

On Sunday there will be a Songs of Praise and we hope as many of our visitors as possible are able to join us. As is now a regular part of our program there will be organ recitals during the flower show and art exhibition in the church. Different organists will pay at differing times during each day and a list of their names will be available in the church.

Bell ringing demonstrations will be held on Sunday and Monday between 11:00 and 1:00 and 3:30 and 4:30.

Visitors are always truly impressed by the magnificent church filled with flowers and art and accompanied by the splendid sound of the church organ.

Music in the Memorial Hall Car Park – Sunday and Monday – 2.00pm till 4.00pm

THE BRECKLAND BRASS BAND SUNDAY 29TH

The idea of a band was conceived over a drink at Christmas 1950 and their first rehearsal took place on 21st January 1951since when they have gone from strength to strength as their excellent website shows. They have long been a feature of the Walsham Open Gardens and we hope they will keep coming they seem to like it anyway!

THE GISLINGHAM SILVER BAND MONDAY 30th

The Gislingham Silver Band have been providing music to the local community for 125 years! It is believed to be the longest established village band in Suffolk. Membership of the band is open to anyone who has a desire to play irrespective of ability level. We currently have 27 members whose ages range from 8 and 78! The band can be seen performing on the following website The band practices every Tuesday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in their band room in Mill Street, IP23 8JT. New members always welcome. During the year we perform at various concerts, fetes, open gardens etc.

Lunches, Teas and Refreshments in the Memorial Hall and Priory Room

BBQ at Collen Baker's garden (Garden No.6) on both days along with (new this year) homemade Fresh Pizza from a wood fired clay Pizza Oven. We'll also have some refreshments you'll enjoy !  We'll be cooking traditional meats from our very own village butcher's Rolfe's of Walsham.  Come and enjoy the rhetoric & banter of our chef's and bar stewards.   It's been reported in past years as "much credit must go to your entertaining staff.  I haven't enjoyed my lunch so much in years !  It's lovely to see traditional values with a real ambience of a traditional summer fare!"   

Village Market 11.00am - 6.00pm both days

The Village Market is located opposite St.Mary's Church at Church Barn on the Causeway.  Local craft and trades people will be selling their goods inside the barn and also outside on the forecourt. Local crafts and trades people have been invited to hold stalls. There are 11 stalls confirmed as at 11/8/11 as listed below:

• Plantsmans Preference - Hardy Geraniums, Ornamental Grasses and unusual Perennials. www.plantpref.co.uk.  Email: tim@plantpref.co.uk
• Hedgehog Gardens - Perennials and Climbers. www. the interestingplantnursery.co.uk.  Email; info@theinterestingplantnursery.co.uk
• Carry It Wear It - Extensive range of ladies accessories. www.carryitwearit.co.uk.  Email;carryitwearit@aol.com
• Lis Textiles - Screen Print wear and gifts (Sunday Only).  Email; Lisdavies37@aol.com
• Trees for Gardens - Hand picked rare and unusual trees. www.treesforgardens.co.uk.  Email;jo@treesforgardens.co.uk
• Bags of Style by Rose - Unique hand made bags using upholstery fabrics, small evening bags to large holdalls. Email;rosecockle@googlemail.com
• Mary's Little Gems - Unique hand made Jewellery using natural stones, crystals, shells and glass from around the world. Email;maisiemay@btinternet.com
• Phoenix Trading - Exclusive range of unique,top quality greetings cards and gift wrap.  www.phoenix-trading.co.uk Email;zawislak1@btinternet.com or chrisvin@talktalk.co.uk
• Grannies Cabin - Hand Made needlework goods including patchwork quilts, rag dolls and embroidered cushions. Email; wendythomas@btinternet.com
• 1000 degree Art Studio - Hand painted designs on bisque ware. www.folksy.com/shops/heatherrichards. Email; heatherjrichards@btinternet.com
• Just Truffles - Based in Harleston, hand made chocolate on their premises; "The Pod" 01379 851933.  www.justtruffesonline.co.uk

The Walsham School Family Tree

A tree sculpture has been designed by the teacher of year 4 children, to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Walsham Open Gardens. The children of Walsham Primary School each made a leaf, attached their photograph and wrote on the back of their leaf what Walsham means to them.Finally the tree was embellished with pearls to represent the 30th Anniversary. The "Walsham School Family Tree" will be on display in the school grounds on Open Gardens Weekend.

The village has its fair share of talented artisans

 Artist Helen Dougal will be demonstrating batik work with the possibility for visitors including children to have a go. At Gill Grimes garden you will find her giving demonstrations of spinning using a variety of different mediums including recycled plastic drinks bottles.

Walsham History Group Information & Publications

Car Parks

The car park is well signed and is immediately opposite the church. If the main car park fills up (yes it does happen!) an alternative will be made available in a neighbouring field. Both car parks are well signed and attended. There is also ample parking for coaches on hard standing, although if you are planning a coach party we would welcome an advance call so that we can make suitable arrangements. There is no separate charge for car parking, the only charge being the entry ticket. Parking for those who are disabled is available in the car park of the village memorial hall. That will also be clearly marked.