ENTHUSIASTS can look forward to an upcoming country and garden festival with guests, stalls, talks and more on offer in aid of charity.

The Hampshire Country and Garden Festival 2018 will be taking place in Whitchurch on June 10 at Bere Mill.

The organisers said: “We are celebrating the benefits to our health and wellbeing of gardening for all ages, healthy eating, inspiring speakers, learning new creative skills, enjoying music plus a wonderful array of children’s activities.

“The festival promotes all that is great about Hampshire, from food and drink to music, workshops and demonstrations, plant experts and nurseries. Whether you are an avid gardener or a family looking for a wholesome day out this is the event for you.”

As well as providing a day out for visitors, all the proceeds which are raised will be donated to the North Hampshire Medical Fund, a charity which supports hospitals and patients, including Basingstoke hospital, Andover War Memorial Hospital and Royal County Hospital, in Winchester.

There will be a variety of demonstrations and workshops available on the day for free. These include fly fishing, massages, pottery, cookery, beekeeping and willow weaving.

One of the main attractions is a Gardeners’ Question Time. chaired by Stefan Buczacki, the well known former panellist and chairman on Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time who also wrote and presented The Gardening Quiz on Radio 4. One of the most experienced and prolific non-fiction authors in the country, he has written around 60 books.

Also on the panel are high profile and popular garden personalities that include David Jewel, Jane Owen and Sarah Eberle.

Award-winning photographer and photojournalist Lalage Snow will be talking about gardens from her latest book, coming out later in the year, ‘Modern War Gardens’.

The festival is in addition to a gala evening, which will be launching the festival on June 9, with guest speaker, noted garden expert and presenter Alan Titchmarsh. He will be in conversation with Philip Geddes, talking about his life and times.

Further details visit hampshiregardenfestival.co.uk or call 01256 314 759.