VISITORS to a special garden near Wotton-under-Edge last weekend were supporting the work of two hospices whilst enjoying the picturesque surroundings.

More than 500 people made the most of Saturday’s pleasant weather to visit the open garden at Katharine’s Farm in Swinhay which hosts annual events raising money for hospices in memory of its owner’s daughter.

Katherine Meyer died of cancer at the age of 41 in 2012 and her father Richard has held annual events to raise money for the charities which helped to care for her in her final days.

Money raised on the day will be distributed between St Peter’s Hospice and Longfield by the Cock a Doodle Do Trust, which was set up in Katherine’s memory.

More than £3,500 was raised last weekend which has taken the total raised by the trust for hospices to almost £100,000 with funds in recent weeks still not fully tallied-up.

The garden contains a near exact replica of a chicken house in the gardens of Prince Charles’ Highgrove House near Tetbury.

It was built in recognition of Katherine’s love of gardening and rare breed chickens.

On Sunday the garden will be opened up again, between 10am and 6pm, for Picnic Sunday, giving people an opportunity to enjoy their lunch in the garden and to support the hospices’ work.

To donate to the Cock a Doodle Do Trust text Hens10 to 70070 or visit justgiving.com/kcaddt.

Katharine’s Farm can be found at Swinhay, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7PH.