Pooh’s honeypot garden flourishes

The story-book friends went to the children’s hospice at Poling to present a cheque for £2,112 on behalf of the owners of Pooh House and Gardens, at Fittleworth, Mary and Paul Reed.

The couple held a series of special open days on Sundays through the summer, each with a Winnie the Pooh theme, to raise funds for Chestnut Tree House.

Mary and Paul decided to make 2011 a special year as, not only is it Winnie the Pooh’s 90th birthday, it is also 25 years since the Reeds moved into their house.

Since then, they have worked hard to transform the grounds, including an overgrown quarry, into a delightful garden, just perfect for a bear and his friends to make their home, too.

Gazette readers have been frequent visitors to Pooh House this summer after the gardens were opened to the public for the first time.

Mary said: “Paul and I would like to express our gratitude to all your readers who have supported the events during our 25th anniversary at Pooh House and Gardens, in aid of the Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.

“Without their generosity and the continual kindness of our helpers, participants and media, we would not have had such successful events.”

For more information on Pooh House, see www.poohhouseandgardens.co.uk