More than £2,000 raised as Piddington, Hackleton and Horton Open Gardens Weekend brings three villages together

The villages of Piddington, Hackleton and Horton were brought together in spectacular fashion over the weekend of 27th and 28th June, as the annual Open Gardens Weekend returned for another hugely successful year, raising over £2,000 for two fantastic local organisations.

Organised by Pat Norville, the event welcomed hundreds of visitors from across Northamptonshire, who spent the weekend exploring a stunning collection of private gardens while enjoying refreshments, homemade cakes, plant sales and the warm hospitality that has become synonymous with the event.

From beautifully landscaped cottage gardens and colourful flower borders to wildlife havens, vegetable plots and peaceful outdoor spaces, every garden offered something unique. Visitors wandered through the villages at their own pace, chatting with homeowners, sharing gardening ideas and enjoying a relaxing summer's day surrounded by nature.

The Open Gardens Weekend has become one of the highlights of the village calendar, showcasing not only beautiful gardens but also the incredible sense of community that exists across Piddington, Hackleton and Horton.

Raising Money Where It Matters Most

This year's event raised over £2,000, with the proceeds being shared equally between AFC Hackleton and Horton House Cricket Club.

The money will help support two organisations that are at the very heart of village life.

AFC Hackleton continues to provide football opportunities for children and adults alike, encouraging teamwork, confidence, fitness and friendship through grassroots football. The club is run entirely by dedicated volunteers whose commitment ensures local youngsters have a safe and enjoyable environment to play, learn and develop. Every pound raised will help support equipment, coaching, facilities and the continued growth of the club.

Horton House Cricket Club has been part of the local community for generations. The club provides cricket for players of all ages while bringing families and friends together throughout the summer. The funds raised will contribute towards maintaining the ground, supporting junior cricket and ensuring the club continues to thrive for future generations.

More Than Beautiful Gardens

While the fundraising total is a remarkable achievement, many visitors agreed that the weekend delivered something even more valuable.

In a world that can often feel dominated by negative headlines and uncertainty, the Open Gardens Weekend reminded everyone of the importance of community.

Throughout the weekend, visitors spoke of the warm welcome they received, the generosity of those opening their gardens and the simple pleasure of slowing down to enjoy nature, conversation and good company.

One visitor perhaps summed it up best by saying:

"In an age of doom and gloom, this weekend has brought so much joy and laughter to these three villages. It's reminded everyone what community is really about. We've become united."

That sentiment was echoed by many throughout the weekend. People who had never met before found themselves chatting over a cup of tea, neighbours spent time together exploring gardens, and families enjoyed quality time outdoors. It was a reminder that some of life's greatest pleasures are often the simplest.

Months of Preparation Behind the Scenes

Although the gardens are the stars of the weekend, the event is the result of months of planning, preparation and dedication from local volunteers.

Garden owners spend countless hours preparing their displays, nurturing flowers, pruning borders and ensuring everything looks its very best before welcoming visitors through their gates.

Behind the scenes, organiser Pat Norville, together with her husband Deryck, worked tirelessly to promote the event. In the weeks leading up to the weekend, the pair personally erected more than 60 promotional signs across Piddington, Hackleton, Horton and the surrounding villages to help spread the word.

The colourful signs became a familiar sight on roadsides throughout the area, attracting visitors from across Northamptonshire and helping to make this year's event one of the best-attended yet.

Combined with local media coverage, social media promotion and word of mouth, their efforts ensured the event reached a wider audience than ever before.

A True Community Effort

The Open Gardens Weekend would simply not be possible without the incredible support of residents across all three villages.

From opening garden gates and baking homemade cakes to serving refreshments, directing visitors, helping with parking and making donations, dozens of volunteers gave up their time to ensure everyone enjoyed a memorable weekend.

The event demonstrated everything that is great about village life.

It wasn't simply about flowers or fundraising. It was about neighbours helping neighbours, families coming together to create lasting memories, and supporting organisations that make a real difference in the local community.

The atmosphere across all three villages was one of friendship, laughter and pride, proving that community spirit remains stronger than ever.

A Message from Pat Norville

Event organiser Pat Norville said:

"I couldn't be prouder of what we've achieved together. Raising over £2,000 for two wonderful local clubs is fantastic, but what makes me happiest is seeing the smiles on people's faces and watching our three villages come together.

The Open Gardens Weekend is about far more than flowers and gardens. It's about neighbours meeting neighbours, families spending time together and celebrating everything that's special about village life. I'd like to say a heartfelt thank you to every single person who opened their garden, volunteered, baked cakes, helped put up signs, donated or simply came along to support us. Every person played a part in making the weekend such a wonderful success.

To hear visitors saying that, in an age of doom and gloom, we've brought joy, laughter and unity back into our villages is incredibly special. That's something everyone involved should be immensely proud of."

Looking Ahead to 2027

Following another outstanding year, plans are already underway for the 2027 Piddington, Hackleton and Horton Open Gardens Weekend.

Organisers hope to welcome even more gardens, attract more visitors from across Northamptonshire and continue raising vital funds for organisations that make such an important contribution to village life.

Each year the event continues to grow, not just in the amount of money raised, but in the friendships created, the stories shared and the sense of pride it inspires throughout the three villages.

As the final visitors left and the last garden gates closed, one thing became abundantly clear.

The Open Gardens Weekend is no longer simply a gardening event.

It has become a celebration of everything that makes Piddington, Hackleton and Horton such special places to live.

The flowers will bloom again next summer, the gates will once again open to welcome visitors, and with them will come another opportunity for three villages to demonstrate that kindness, generosity and community spirit are very much alive.

If this year's success is anything to go by, Open Gardens 2027 promises to be even bigger, even brighter and an even greater celebration of the people who make these villages so special.