As many of you will know we had our last plant sale of the year earlier this month. It was a huge success and raised £370 which was very gratefully received, particularly at a time when, like many other organisations we are facing financial pressures.

Money raised through plant sales during 2022 has been used to produce display boards for our current exhibition ‘Folk who Shaped Shields’. Without these funds we would have struggled to pay for the exhibition. Similarly, plant sales covered the costs of our previous exhibition, ‘That’s Women’s Work’.

However, as well as the money raised from the sale of plants, visitors didn’t just buy plants but went into our café, bought coffee and snacks and some paid to view our exhibitions or to become members.

Volunteers who were on duty at the plant sale – who also grew most of the plants or encouraged their friends to grow plants – were touched by some of the kind comments they received. Some said that they looked forward to our sales and that our plants had made a big difference to their gardens.

So, in addition to the financial boost from the sale of plants and increased visitors into the café and galleries, there are these hidden community benefits.
So, a big thank-you to our green fingered volunteers and friends. We really do appreciate your hard work!