ORGANISER of the Kirkby Stephen Cumbria in Bloom entry and member of the town's Garden Trail committee, Donald Walker and his wife, town councillor June Walker, are making an appeal to growers and bakers to donate items for the annual Royal British Legion Plant and Cake Stall which will be held next Monday in The Cloisters.

The early sunshine has been a great bonus for gardeners in Cumbria, and Donald predicts a bumper year for blooms.

Donald said: "It is going to be a very good year because of the March sunshine. I am very pleased with how my plants are coming on, as many gardeners will be this year."

And the Royal British Legion fund-raiser is a great way of sharing that success.

Donald added: "This annual event owes its success to the strong patronage of the Kirkby Stephen townsfolk. Once again we would be grateful for any donations.

"If you could bring plants or confectionery to the stall for sale by 9.30am on the day we would be grateful. And, if you have a large number of items to donate, we would be happy to come and collect them."

Secretary of the Kirkby Stephen Garden Trail June Walker is also appealing for entries for this year's Garden Trail, to be held on August 2 and 3. Anyone in the town can enter their garden for the event, which attracts a large number of people who then buy a map of open gardens to visit.

June said: "Entries need to be in by June 14, and we are very pleased to say there are a number of new gardens opening to the public this year."

June and Donald Walker can be contacted on 017683 72284.

May 14, 2003 08:30