The team worked so hard.

Once again we were having an Open Day on Thursday 30th June under the Welwyn Festival Banner. The beds had been watered well for two days as there had been very little rain for so long. We had weeded, added more gravel to the paths, and the grotto rockwork had been restored.

Everything was Ready

We had a drinks stall ready as well as a plant stall this year, and ‘the staff’ were ready and in place. We had erected an extra marquee in case of need for shade or a shower. (Good planning).

And at 3pm we did indeed have a short sharp shower but that was fine because the gates weren’t open til 4pm.

Then the Start!

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About 120 people had come through the gates. Some brought their own chairs to await the choir. The water feature was running and people were enjoying themselves. A rumbling of thunder could be heard as the choir were warming up in the bottom end of the field.

The Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Cllr Barbara Fitzsimon arrived and we had a brief chat but then the torrential rain came and the paths became rivers.

The cracks of thunder and lightning were directly overhead and we had no other choice than to cancel the event at that point for reasons of public safety.

Reflections

My first event as Chair definitely did not go to plan. We have loads of memories of this event, and a few photographs! Thank you to all those who attended and for your understanding at having to abandon the event.

Please come back and visit us when the sun is shining.

Treasurer’s Report

Despite the extreme weather conditions forcing us to close the event much earlier than planned, we are pleased to report that we still managed to raise around £300 to help fund our ongoing costs of planting and maintenance for the year ahead.

We would like to thank everyone who braved the weather to attend and supported us so generously.

The Official number of visitors was 142.