The Hospice of St Francis will be holding its ever popular annual Garden Party once again in the beautiful grounds of Ashridge House on Sunday 3rd June, with this year’s event offering a wide range of activities and attractions to keep the whole family entertained.
Party-goers can look forward to regular attractions like cream teas on the terrace, live jazz, Pimms on the lawn and a wide range of speciality, locally produced food and drink.
There will also be a variety of children’s entertainment to keep the little ones happy including pony rides, face painting, circus skills, Punch and Judy shows and even sumo wrestling.
The family-friendly event draws crowds in their thousands who come to soak up the festival atmosphere and enjoy the opportunity to explore the extensive grounds of Ashridge House, which has played host to what is now the largest event in the charity’s fundraising calendar since 2001.
A record breaking 5,000 people made the most of the warm sunshine last year, which helped to make it the most successful Garden Party ever, raising £42,000 for the Berkhamsted-based charity.
The Garden Party is a chance to show support for the Hospice and help raise the over £5m needed every year to fund its free care and support for people affected by life-limiting illnesses in West Herts and South Bucks.
Delicious freshly prepared wood-fired pizzas and tasty vegetarian or meat and fish paella will be available from the food court as well as regular favourites like juicy lamb burgers from the hot barbeque, healthy salad boxes, ice creams, and a fully licensed bar selling locally brewed beers courtesy of Tring Brewery.
Live music from popular jazz quartet, the Jolly Jazzers and the D’ukes of Ashridge ukulele band will entertain the crowds throughout the afternoon.
This year’s Shopping Village will feature fabulous quality stalls, selling locally produced speciality food and drink, jewellery, handmade craft items, home, fashion and garden accessories, children’s clothes and toys, plants and much more.
The Garden Party, which is this year kindly sponsored by financial advisors BP Saunders, provides a rare opportunity to explore the historical and contemporary gardens of Ashridge House, and stroll through its avenue of trees with views over the stunning parkland, all of which is otherwise restricted to the public to specific dates in August.
Ashridge House, which dates back to 1283 and was once a royal residence, today provides world class executive education to many global organisations and is the perfect location for conferences, teambuilding, weddings and private functions.
Lucy Hume, Head of Community Fundraising at the Hospice, said: “We are extremely grateful to Ashridge House for once again allowing us to use their beautiful grounds for what is one of the highlights of our fundraising calendar. We’re really looking forward to this year’s Garden Party. It always has such a fantastic community atmosphere.
“Previous years have drawn crowds from all corners of our catchment area who all come for a great family day out. There really is something for everyone from browsing the high quality stalls and classic cars, enjoying a cream tea or a glass of Pimms on the terrace to pony rides in the gardens.
“It’s our biggest community fundraising event of the year and raises vital funds as well as awareness of the work we do. We would like to thank BP Saunders for their generous support and everyone at Ashridge House without whom this special event would not be able to take place.”
David Pocock, Director of BP Sanders, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Garden Party for the Hospice this year. We really value the amazing work that the Hospice do, and I believe it’s important to support such a wonderful event and local charity that makes such a difference to the community”.
Advance tickets priced £5 can be purchased online or from the Hospice main reception in Spring Garden Lane, or from all of its six charity shops, as well as its furniture showroom, Returned to Glory, in Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted, and its Berkhamsted gift shop, number twenty, from Saturday 7th April. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased on the gate for £7 per adult. Admission is free for under-16’s.
Stalls are still available to book and any local businesses interested in having a stall should email fundraising@stfrancis.org.uk For more information visit www.stfrancis.org.uk/gardenparty