On 26th-27th June, The Hampshire Country and Garden Festival is raising much needed funds for our local NHS hospitals and is an event not to be missed. The target this year is to purchase vital Resuscitaire machines for the neonatal departments of Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester hospitals. A Resuscitaire provides breathing support, warmth, oxygen, suction and other key interventions for newborn babies needing resuscitation and emergency medical treatment in the first minutes and hours of their lives. Come and join the fun of this family-friendly festival, organised by the Hampshire Medical Fund and help raise money for this wonderful cause.
The weekend opens with a special evening launch of cocktails and canapes in the beautiful gardens of Bere Mill on the River Test in Whitchurch. Later that evening, guests will enjoy a luxury picnic hamper dinner prepared by Aundi Mason, (former chef from Hotel Du Vin in Winchester) followed by a silent auction and fast action finale hosted by rugby sports presenter, Mark Durden-Smith.
The festival day on Sunday will be a wonderful day out for all the family. Everything about this day celebrates the fun and benefits of the great outdoors. Children can try their hand at circus skills and martial arts, there will be hands-on creative activities using natural materials, close-up encounters with creepy crawlies, rescue rabbits and guinea pigs, activities with the wonderful party entertainers ‘Sharky and George’ and den building in the nearby woods. To keep the adults going while the children are busy, there will be live music and tempting food and drink stalls with a barbecue from the on-site Bere Mill butchery, a hog roast, pimms, local cider, crepes and ice cream, to name just a few. For keen gardeners, there is a garden clinic, hosted by three of Hampshire’s most exciting and leading garden designers. There are inspirational speakers including Sue Stuart-Smith, author of ‘The Well Gardened Mind’ and landscape architect, Marcus Barnett. Displays from specialist nurseries selling plants and a host of arts and gifts stalls will keep shoppers busy. Last but not least, a real highlight of the festival is the wonderful family fun dog show. Dogs can be entered to win a prize for ‘the waggiest tail’, or ‘dog with the most character’, among others!
Tickets can be purchased online at www.hampshire garden festival.co.uk.
The Hampshire Medical Fund will ensure that the festival is in accordance with the latest government Covid guidelines.
