In June, Pinner residents Prakash and Joanne Daswani held a fundraising event in their garden as part of the National Garden Scheme (NGS). Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the fundraiser, but I was delighted to make a visit to see the garden recently and to meet with Prakash and Joanne. 

For some background, the National Garden Scheme is a UK charity founded in 1927, which gives visitors access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens across the United Kingdom and raises generous amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cakes. Furthermore, NGS promotes the physical and mental health benefits of gardens.

Residents may be aware that Joanne is the former Chair of the Pinn Medical Centre Patients’ Association and Prakash a member, and both were instrumental in the campaign to save the walk-in back in February 2020. As such, health causes are close to both their hearts and I was delighted to learn that their first ever public opening this year generated over £800 in charitable contributions for the NGS. 

I was very interested to hear about both Prakash and Joanne’s efforts to make their garden not only look spectacular, but also sustainable and organic, by encouraging bees and having several bird houses. They also have grapes growing in their garden and was told this was soon to be used to make wine.

Prakash and Joanne would like their garden to be enjoyed by residents and to help support natural wildlife. They plan to open their garden again next year on Sunday 11th June between 3.30 and 7pm.

I am grateful to both for their time and look forward to visiting again in the future.