IT’S going to be a big year for the National Garden Scheme.

For the first time in its history £3 million was donated to a raft of, mainly nursing and care, charities. It is also the 90th anniversary of the very first garden openings.

To go with the anniversary, the brand has been completely re-vamped for the first time in a long time, making it look friendlier and more in keeping with its ideals.

Locally, the big news is the retirement as County Organiser of Joanna Kerr.

Joanna has been a fixture in organising garden openers and volunteers for twenty years, as well as finding the time to open her own garden for the Scheme.

Chief Executive George Plumptre said, “Joanna has made a wonderful contribution to the National Garden Scheme over many years and in many different ways. For a start, she is an extremely knowledgeable gardener and has always set a formidably high standard to other openers with her own garden at Glebe House.

“As well as looking after Gwent as County Organiser for more than twenty years she served as Regional Chairman for Wales and a Trustee on the charity’s governing council from 2007 to 2010.”

Joanna handed over to Cathy Davies at her annual get-together with garden openers last week.

Garden openers in and around Monmouthshire have a lot to thank Joanna for. Many would probably never have considered opening their pride and joy were it not for a few words of encouragement, delivered in her forthright style!

It was appropriate that her last full year in charge saw a new record for garden proceeds in Gwent at just over £35,500.

Cathy and Sue Torkington (Assistant County Organiser) arranged a surprise present of a book of photos of the Gwent Open Gardens and everyone wished Joanna a happy ‘retirement’ and the chance to spend more time in her own garden, rather than rushing round everyone else’s!