An LGBT+ inclusive day at Stody Lodge Gardens on the Stody Estate near Holt, North Norfolk will be raising funds for Norwich Pride.
On Saturday, May 26 2018, Stody Lodge Gardens will extend a special welcome and invitation to the LGBT+ communities, as well as family and friends, to visit and enjoy its 14-acres of colourful rhododendrons and azaleas.
This event has been developed in association with Norwich Pride who will be serving delicious rainbow cakes and homemade teas to the garden’s hungry visitors.
All proceeds from the tea rooms will go to help fund Norwich’s 10th Anniversary Pride on July 28, 2018.
Richard Hulbert, Head Gardener at Stody Lodge Gardens, said: “As a gay man I am especially proud to be sharing the gardens that I love with everyone in our communities. We hope this event will inspire other similar LGBT+ events in rural areas to celebrate diversity in different ways. The annual Norwich Pride parade is a very important annual event for many in our community and we are delighted to help raise funds to make this year’s tenth anniversary Pride a truly wonderful day.”
Julie Bremner, Chair of Norwich Pride 2018, said: “Norwich Pride is delighted to be holding a Big Gay Out LGBT+ inclusive day at Stody Lodge Gardens on May 26. We will be ready to serve rainbow cakes and teas to people visiting these beautiful and colourful gardens.
“It is very generous of Stody Lodge Gardens to open its doors to us and donate all monies raised from cake-sales to help us organise another fabulous Norwich Pride event this year. We are jointly planning some surprises for you to discover in the gardens on the day too that will make people’s visits extra special.”
Kate MacNicol from Stody Lodge Gardens, added: “We are very excited about welcoming in the LGBT+ communities, their family and friends, to our gardens for a day of colour and fun. We hope everyone will enjoy themselves and take away some happy memories of a day that will celebrate diversity in all its forms as well as the spectacular display nature puts on for us in our gardens each May.”
There is good disabled access to most areas of the gardens with accessible toilet and parking available. Delicious homemade teas will be served and there will be a fantastic plant stall. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Anyone interested in donating a cake to Norwich Pride to be served on May 26, 2018 at Stody Lodge Gardens, email: info@norwichpride.org.uk.
Visitors to Stody Lodge Gardens will be blown away by the riot of colour thanks to its extensive collection of over 200 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas. This intensity of colour is softened by beautiful magnolias, camellias, ornamental and specimen trees, late daffodils and bluebells.
Stody’s exceptional two-acre Azalea Water Gardens is widely believed to be the largest single planting of vividly coloured azalea mollis (over 2,000 plants) in the country.
London architect Walter Sarel was commissioned to design Stody Lodge and its gardens in 1932 by the 1st Viscount Rothermere, the British newspaper proprietor and founder of the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror. The gardens’ original design have been protected as much as possible whilst developing new areas, deepening the herbaceous borders and adding interest around the lodge.
Stody Lodge Gardens are open:
♦ All Sundays in May from 1pm-5pm
♦ Tuesday May 15 and Wednesday May 16
♦ From Tuesday May 22 to Friday, May 25 inclusive, Saturday May 26 and
♦ Bank Holiday Monday, May 28, 2018.
Midweek groups and coach tours welcome by appointment.
Telephone: 01263 863994 or email enquiries@stodyestate.co.uk
Event: The Stody BIG GAY OUT LGBT+ inclusive day.
Where: Melton Constable, Norfolk NR24 2ER
When: Saturday, May 26
Time: 1pm-5pm
Cost: Entrance is £6, children under 12 free
