We were thrilled at the response to our proposed plans for this years annual Henfield Gardens and Arts Festival. We are now working towards launching The Henfield ‘Over the Garden Gate’ Festival for the weekend of 12-13 June 2021 to provide a community event we can all enjoy whilst being Covid safe.
Whilst recognising the progress being made in vaccinations, given the continued uncertainties the format of the Festival needs to be flexible, as well as hopefully providing a high degree of success and enjoyment.
By June we are hoping that some outdoor events will be allowed and that whatever precautions we each are required to undertake, it will not be so drastic so as to detract from the visual enjoyment of what our gardeners are offering. Garden entries will be open to all who have a front garden which can be viewed from the pavement over a real or imaginary garden gate. With this focus we can look forward to something positive whilst keeping safe.
We are asking home owners to be creative whilst tending their front gardens this year to add something quirky and interesting for viewers. You may wish to include the planted wheelbarrows that we hoped to include last year, or even extend the idea to other garden items or kitchen utensils and planted pots. However, we are just happy for your to enter a lovely front garden if that’s what prefer.
Maybe you could plant up an area that you normally overlook, involve your children or grandchildren in planting or encourage your whole street to get involved in an activity that can be socially distanced and supportive of our well-being. Don’t forget the plants can be edible too. We hope that our High Street traders will add floral decorations to their shop windows for this weekend and we will be adding the High Street to our map.
Unfortunately, at the time of going to press, this year the gardens will be unable to offer refreshments. If this changes we will update anyone wishing to participate and also update the online print-off map that will be available for visitors. Printed copies of the map will be available in local businesses nearer the time.
where you will also find regular updates and helpful hints. We hope you will be inspired join in the Festival this year.
Kenneth McIntosh, Mike Ainscough & Suzanne Fisher on behalf of the organising group of the 2021 Henfield Garden and Arts Festival
