It took teamwork and some engineering know-how to set up the garden for the start of Open Garden Squares Weekend in some very windy weather… but the sun came out for the Summer Fair.

A huge Abbey Gardens thank-you to Jamie’s Ministry of Food, Stratford for coming along to demonstrate simple, tasty food made with ingredients grown at the garden; to Gordon and Louise Joly for devising and leading a community gardens walk – you can find out more about the Netwalking Club here; to the lovely Arch 1 House Band for some excellent Summer blues; to garden club leader Hamish for his garden tours – and to everyone who baked and helped on the day.

Love tomatoes? Hate lettuce? A recent convert to beetroot? Get your food stories to us: work will will continue on the big community picnic rug – now five feet by seven and counting… Thanks to Colleen, Torange and Ava, Stacey, Hazel, Joan K, Ashley and Fiona B for some great contributions and prep work. We’ll be showing off the completed project at future events.

And if you didn’t make it to the Summer Fair, pack an umbrella for the Sunday of Open Garden Squares Weekend, 10am – 5pm – we’ll be delighted to see you.