![Open crisis?](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/10290/505163/5f40e4cd48086/Open-crisis.jpg)
Let’s backtrack. It’s late winter and the National Garden Scheme is getting ready to launch the 2020 garden visiting season giving unique access to over 3,700 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales. This year’s rich portfolio includes 585 new and 308 returning gardens planning to open, giving the largest increase of new openings for a decade for the organisation. The NGS raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake. Last year was a bumper year, with over £3m raised. But when you rely on 90 per cent of your income from garden openings, having all your eggs in one basket can be a fragile economy when the unexpected comes along to change that.
‘I should have known this year wasn’t going to be a good one,’ says George Plumptre, chief executive of the NGS, ‘when we got off to a poor start with our winter snowdrop openings as many were affected by a run of bad storms.’
Like all of us, news reports of the Covid-19 pandemic started to hit home when it was clear that it wasn’t just happening abroad, but was now spreading to the UK and it was likely that things were going to dramatically change. On March 22, George announced that the charity’s trustees had decided that all National Garden Scheme gardens would be closed to the public until further notice. This was the first time in the charity’s 93-year history that all the gardens have been closed. Even during the Second World War and the 2009-2010 swine flu pandemic, many gardens remained open.
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Hertfordshire Life.
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Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av Hertfordshire Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Explosive history
With bonfire night this month, author Harry Smee recounts the explosive story of his family’s firework company, Brock’s, creators of wonders and war-changing weapons
![A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f9675971863e/crp_A-day-in-the-life-of-a-jewellery-designer.jpg)
A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer
Laurie McGrath, senior designer at Harriet Kelsall bespoke jewellery in Halls Green, gives an insight into her working day
![Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966c73d8038/crp_Sniffig-out-clues-in-THE-ASHES.jpg)
Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES
Meet the fire investigation dogs securing convictions against arsonists and murderers who otherwise may go free
![The greatest traveller](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966a6aca407/crp_The-greatest-traveller.jpg)
The greatest traveller
Exploring ancient civilisations and rising powers, Violet CressyMarcks became the most travelled woman of her age. Fifty years after her death we look at her incredible life
Return of the Queen of Romance
Twenty years after the death of record-breaking novelist Dame Barbara Cartland, Gillian Thornton talks passions, plots and a new audience with her son at the family home in Essendon
![In bed with CELEBS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f965df3ef3fa/crp_In-bed-with-CELEBS.jpg)
In bed with CELEBS
Marking its 70th year, Welham Green soft furnishings company Ashley Wilde has grown from a pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap business into an industry leader with A-list partnerships
![Roam with a view](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f9667ab48628/crp_Roam-with-a-view.jpg)
Roam with a view
We may not have coastline or mountains, but Herts has beautiful views all the same, if you know where to look
![Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f96707eb48f5/crp_Saving-Mrs-Tiggy-Winkle.jpg)
Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle
The secret life of a much-loved British mammal and simple steps we can take at home to stop its extinction
A walk down Surreal Street
Paul Crowley draws on his graphic designer’s eye to capture scenes from the country to the street, all tinged with surreality
![5 minutes with](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10290/539332/5f966e7112591/crp_5-minutes-with.jpg)
5 minutes with
Carole Spiers, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce member and founder of International Stress Awareness Week