3:54pm Monday 13th July 2009
By Katie Adams
Visitors to Great Chalfield Manor near Holt were able to enjoy scenic gardens as well as help raise money for a national charity at the weekend.
On Saturday, around 100 people made their way to the home of the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Robert Floyd, to view his gardens and support the Army Benevolent Fund.
Penny Brown, event organiser for the charity, said they were approached by Mr Floyd, who had come up with the idea and wanted to help them boost funds.
She said: “We had never done anything like this before, so it was a bit of a taster, but it went very well and we were very pleased with the amount raised.
“I think we would have had a few more people if they hadn’t been put off by the weather forecast, which had said heavy rain when it was actually dry.”
A total of £800 was raised for the charity, which will go towards financially supporting soldiers and their families in need.
Mr Floyd runs the National Trust-owned manor with his wife Patsy and was appointed High Sheriff in March, following in the footsteps of his father Charles.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk