The Oast, Mayfield

 

I know volunteering for charity run organisations, the best part of it should be that you are giving back and raising money for those in need. Which it is, but the other incredible part for me is that I get to visit these incredible gardens with not a single person in sight. 

Last week I visited The Oast in Mayfield as they were preparing to open for the National Garden Scheme and I am their photographer so on a morning last week, in between rain showers I headed over for a blissful hour in this divine garden.

Fun fact I used to live in Mayfield, I spent the first 6 months of lockdown in this wonderful village so it holds very fond memories of sunny walks, enjoying the delights from the deli, selecting a fine rose from the wine celler, cooking yummy sausages from the butchers. 

We used to walk past this house and Im sure I have photos of it on my phone, little did I know that 5 years later I would be in their gardens photographing the beautiful display of tulips, magnolia, forget-me-nots and so much more.

Their gardens almost didn't open as we have had such a wet Spring, it was going to be too boggy underfoot and the flowers had taken a battering but after a few days of dry winds the ground had hardened up and it was safe to open to the public.

The National Garden scheme is brilliant as these gardens would not usually open to the public and it is a network that runs all through the UK. Each garden is unique and some allow dogs, some have wheelchair access, some provide tea and cake. But the most amazing part is that through opening, they are raising money for their charity beneficiaries. In 2023 they raised a whopping £3 million!

I have been volunteering for them for two years, managing their social media and as the photographer for the Sussex region. Last year I only managed to get to see a few gardens but this year I vowed to make more of an effort.

A while ago I went through the opening dates and contacted as many local gardens as I could to offer my services and thankfully many of them came back and agreed to let me visit a few weeks prior to their opening dates so we could create content to share online.

As we are now in Spring and Summer will be here soon, its going to be busy but I honestly think hand on heart, this is what I enjoy photographing the most. Its such a wonderful privilege to be able to do this, and my aim is that the main National Garden scheme account will take notice and perhaps there will lie an opportunity for me in the future!