Secret Gardens of the Close takes place on Sunday 9th June and runs from 1pm to 5pm.
It is the Friends’ major fundraising event of the year: the money raised last year is being used to sponsor a pinnacle on the north-east corner of the Cathedral.
Eleven gardens in Salisbury Cathedral Close will be open and tea and homemade cakes will be served in the garden of South Canonry – the home of the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam and his wife, Helen.
Proceeds from the teas will go to the Sudan Medical Link.
There will be an exhibition of botanical art by Salisbury Florilegium Society in the Medieval Hall, artist Cliff Topping will be sketching in a number of the gardens and recorder group Close Consort will be playing.
There will be stalls on Choristers’ Green, including the Friends’ plant stall.
Friends’ chairman Captain Duncan Glass said the public’s response to the previous Secret Gardens of the Close afternoons had been overwhelming and he hoped visitors would support this year’s event in even larger numbers.
He said: “Once again many of those who live in the Close have kindly agreed to support the Friends’ charity by opening their, usually unseen, gardens to the public for our special day.
“Each year this event attracts more interest from locals and visitors, with more than 1,100 attending last year.
“This event enables the Friends to make additional grants to the Cathedral and we look forward to welcoming everyone on 9th June.”
• Entry to the Secret Gardens of the Close event is £10, with children under 16 free.
The donation includes an entry programme and admission to all featured gardens. It is payable on the day from the Friends’ gazebo on Choristers’ Green.
For more information contact the Friends at 33a The Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EJ, telephone 01722 335161 or email friends@salcath.co.uk.
Garden visitors are advised to use city centre car parks, as parking in the Close is for disabled badge holders only and a charge is payable.
