Open Gardens Programme: A local garden has been chosen to feature in a new BBC2 Daytime series. Sue and Ian Mabberley's garden is one of four gardens belonging to Llanthony & District Garden Club members that are opening to the public on June 17th under the auspices of the National Gardens Scheme..

It had long been Sue's dream to open her garden to the public but the television programme has come out of the blue.

The Llanthony and District Garden Club received a request from the TV production company TwoFour for gardens who might wish to be part of the new series of Open Gardens?..

The programme will chart the progress of what it takes to be accepted into the National Gardens Scheme and to gain a place in its legendary Yellow Book.

After a nerve-wracking visit from a researcher - on one of the windiest days of the year, with trees down and no electricity - Sue and Ian heard that they had been accepted. Filming started at the end of February and last week saw the third of the six filming sessions.

Open Gardens will belooking at around 30 gardens across the UK which are new to the NGS Yellow Book this year and the programmes will be presented by Carol Klein and Joe Swift from BBC Gardeners World.

Carol Klein made her first visit at the end of March - thankfully on a sunny day - and instantly liked the somewhat unusual garden tucked away in the Grwyne Fawr.

Carol's role is to offer encouragement and advice on improving an aspect of the gardens prior to opening and Sue was slightly concerned that her suggestions would not be in keeping with the overall feel of the garden.

She need not have worried however, as Carol understood perfectly and work is already underway along the stream bank. Go along on June 17th to see the results!

Sue and Ian garden organically, growing a wide variety of fruit and vegetables interspersed with flower beds, a mountain stream and pond.

Surrounded by towering conifers, the garden also features an interesting mix of broadleaf trees.

Situated around 1200 feet above sea level, it's a difficult garden to work, being both steep and stony and with a short growing season. Ian says that these factors should give encouragement to any budding gardener, as if it can be done here it can be done almost anywhere!

Reminder: In February Richard Jordan's talk to Cwmyoy WI on growing up in wartime London had to be cancelled because of the snow . Fortunately it could be rearranged and it will now take place at Cwmyoy Hall at 7 30pm on Wednesday May 2nd.