PRESS RELEASE

Issued 10 June 2003

His Excellency The Lieutenant-Governor, Sir John Foley and Lady Foley being presented with a basket of flowers by Sophie Cooper and another to Eleanor Henderson by Ashleigh Gardener-Wheeler as a gesture of appreciation for their support of the event.

An Open Garden which was part of the Floral Guernsey calendar was held in aid of Channel Islands Air Search on Sunday 8^th June at Saint's Farm. Icart Road, St. Martin's at the kind invitation of Mr. & Mrs. Tim Henderson. 

Well over nine hundred people visited the garden during the course of the afternoon.  Despite a strong breeze in the upper garden, the sun shone down and visitors enjoyed strolling through the areas surrounding the house and down the slopes towards the pond and nature walk.  The meadow was a mass of colour with many varieties of wild flowers adding natural beauty to the wonderful views out to sea and the other islands. 

The Friends of Air Search served home-made teas beside the house where visitors were entertained by the talented Tree-O whose gentle music wafted across the lawn and enhanced the pleasure of a relaxing afternoon.    

His Excellency The Lieutenant-Governor, Sir John Foley and Lady Foley spent over an hour touring the garden and then took tea before returning to Government House.  An informal presentation of a basket of flowers was made to Lady Foley by Sophie Cooper and another to Eleanor Henderson by Ashleigh Gardener-Wheeler as a gesture of appreciation for their support of the event.   

Julyan Gardener-Wheeler, President of the Guernsey Friends of Air Search said "Once again we were very lucky with the weather this year for our Open Garden which has become an important part of our annual fund-raising programme.  I am delighted to say we raised the tremendous amount of £3078.06 towards funds for Channel Islands Air Search.  The day proved to be a great success and we are very grateful to Mr and Mrs Henderson for allowing us the use of their garden and to all those who supported the event in many different ways helping to make it such a success."