Hurunui Garden Festival a hit with visitors

• Published date: 04 November 2021
• Publication title: North Canterbury News

As chairman of the festival organising committee Gary’s phone ran hot last Thursday morning after two COVID cases were reported in Christchurch.

‘‘I was glued to the television waiting for the Prime Minister’s 1pm COVID-19 news conference,’’ he says.

It was a huge relief when the lockdown level was unchanged, allowing the festival to go ahead.

‘‘The really lovely visitors who were so appreciative of the gardens, were also a highlight,’’ he says. ‘‘There were so many happy people which was great to see.

‘‘They were all so grateful to us for opening up our gardens,’’ says Gary.

His award-winning Ribbonwood Country House, and garden on the outskirts of Cheviot, which he owns with his partner, Robert Day, was included in the festival.

‘‘People love gardens, they soothe the soul.’’

A ‘‘massive crowd’’ attended the festival last Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with attendance up at all of the 21 gardens from Amberley, Cheviot, Waipara Gorge, Waikari and Hawarden, to Culverden, Rotherham, Hanmer...