Garden lovers can look forward to a triple treat in a village near Oswestry this Mayday Bank Holiday Monday.

The gardens of three homes in Whittington will be open to visitors, with an opportunity to buy plants and cakes, enjoy musical entertainment and take part in competitions.

The event, in aid of the Save the Children charity, is being co-ordinated by veteran fund-raiser Barbara Molesworth with the help of friends and neighbours.

The 93-year-old has been proudly opening her garden and selling plants in Daisy Lane for many years.

Now she’s being supported by two other keen gardeners in nearby Church Street  — Helen Hughes and Louise Idoux.

Mrs Idoux,  a herbal specialist,  will be serving refreshments at her home, Gablecroft where visitors can tour the old walled garden, adjacent to the grounds of Whittington Castle,

Just a few yards away, neighbours Helen and Richard Hughes will be opening the one-acre vintage garden of the Church House, an 18th century former curates’ home..

Music will be provided in Mrs Molesworth’s garden, with her daughter Sue, playing violin as part of the Haslington Folk group, and neighbour Andy Young performing with bagpipes.

Local farmer Gareth Jones is providing space for parking, which will be signposted in the village.

Admission by donation covers all three gardens, which will be open between 10-30 and 17.00.

In the past two years, Barbara has helped the Ellesmere branch of Save the Children to raise more than £9,000.

Last summer she received a special award  from the international aid charity’s headquarters as one of its ‘most  loyal and dedicated volunteer fund-raisers, with more than half a century of outstanding service.’

“We’re looking forward to welcoming even more visitors to our three gardens this bank holiday,” she said.

“With so much turmoil in the world,  we have to make sure that Save the Children has sufficient funds to carry out its vital work in providing food, medicine, healthcare and educational support for children in countries where it’s needed most, as well as those needing help here in the UK .

“Of course, Ellesmere, just a few miles from Whittington, is the birthplace of Eglantyne Jebb and her sister, Dorothy, who founded the charity  in 1919 at the end of the 1st  World War more than one hundred years ago, and it’s so important to continue their inspirational legacy.”

Picture by Ian Braithwaite, shows: Mrs Molesworth, 93, in her garden.