Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2015 | Page 85

Blooming
success
for

M

MOTORING

Fair

ore than 6,500 people surged through the
gates of Wolverton Manor in Shorwell over
the first weekend in September to enjoy the
annual Garden Fair, which has been hosted by Jane and
Mark Patterson every year since 2001.
The original Garden Fair concept has steadily been
expanded over the years, so there was everything from a
conservation tent showing bats and red squirrels, poultry
from the Poultry Club and a variety of animals from
alpacas, to falcons and dogs.
Along with its core gardening and horticulture-related
stands, the event also included a host of demonstrations
by local craftspeople, vehicle enthusiasts, dog lovers,
bowmen and radio amateurs.
For younger visitors, there was a bouncy castle, slide and
trampolines, vintage amusements, a shooting gallery and
kayaking around the moat.
All of which made for the most successful event yet –
with a grand total of £25,000 raised for charity.
Jane Patterson said it was the best-ever total raised, and
that she was delighted with the enthusiastic turnout.
A major proportion of the proceeds will go to Age UK on
the Island, with the rest earmarked for a number of other
smaller local charities.

Pictures by Graham Reading

www.goilife.co.uk

85