Open house and garden at Church Bank

A couple will be throwing open the doors to their stunning house and gardens again this weekend  in a bid to raise money for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund.

Mel and Heather Parkes, who own Lamplight Antiques, are inviting everyone to Christmas at 1 Church Bank, Welshpool on Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17 between 2pm and 6pm. Also attending on Sunday will be Gloriana in Tudor costume to talk about Tudor times.

The home and garden have been open to the public previously as part of the National Gardens Scheme and the couple have held successful fund raisers in aid of the charity following treatment received by Mel at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital’s Lingen Davies Unit.

Number 1, Church Bank is regarded as a jewel in Welshpool’s crown. The couple have carefully restored the property which was once the home of Charlie Parry, the last cooper to make barrels for the dairy trade.

The garden was once a cobbled yard, used by coopers to construct barrels with many features still remaining, and has now been divided into different areas with archways, a shell grotto, Japanese garden area, mystic pool of smoke, ruined castle with fernery and secluded seating areas.

Entry is £5 including mulled wine and a choice of mince pie or cake.