Beautiful Gardens of Benoni to refresh your spirit

The annual Beautiful Gardens of Benoni event is happening for the 20th time early next year.

The event is hosted by the Rotary Anns of the Rotary Club of Benoni van Ryn and is happening on January 27 and 28.

Rotary Anns member and event organiser Judy Bath said the event was first tabled by a member in 1998 and happened early in 1999.

“The event is not a competition and it was never intended to be – it is purely for the love of gardening,” she said.

She said the event showcases six to seven gardens each year after they have approached home owners.

“In this day and age it is such a risk to open up your personal space to the public but, in 19 years, we have never had an unpleasant incident,” she said and expressed gratitude to all the participants.

“The Beautiful Gardens is a positive event.”

The 2017 event attracted about 800 attendees and collected about R45 000.

One of the gardens in next year’s event will serve as a tea garden, organised by Rhoda Toker, where attendees can get refreshments.

Rotary Club of Benoni van Ryn will also sell boerewors rolls and cold drinks.

Gardening enthusiasts can view the gardens at the following addresses:

• Steward and Vicki McFarlane at 21 Ambleside Avenue, Lakefield.

• Hermanus and Antoinette Swanepoel at 3 Sunnyside Avenue, Westdene.

• Jean and Bronwyn Crafford at 24 Edward Street, Westdene.

• Maureen and Neville Cornish at 8 Amarella Road, Alphen Park.

• Helen Pollock at 44 Deane Crescent, Northmead Extension Seven.

• Jen and Vic Anderson at 3 Joubert Street, Rynfield.

Bath said the beneficiaries of the event are various Rotary-supported charities.

“We really try to spread the funds,” she added.

Tickets are R30 per person. Children under the age of 12 enter for free and those interested can phone Bath on 011 849 5369.