Despite a damp start, the opening on 24th May of Rockfield Park gardens was a resounding success. Nearly 450 visitors, including many families with young children, enjoyed the gardens, wild flower meadows and river walks. The day raised over £3,000 for the National Garden Scheme (NGS) charities, notably Macmillan Cancer Support, for whom NGS is the single largest supporter.

At noon, bang on schedule, the sun emerged and cars began arriving, quickly allaying the fears of the owners, Melanie and Mark Molyneux, that no one would turn up at their home.

Visitors feeling hungry headed straight for the cake stand, where a team of volunteers had prepared an array of cakes. They then embarked on walks around the extensive gardens and meadows. Others decided to save their calorific input until after their tour of the grounds, and descended the long steps through ancient acers and magnolia to the lawns alongside the River Monnow. Here some were lucky enough to see a local fisherman catch, and safely return to the river, a splendid 1½ lb brown trout. The startled fisherman had presumably been expecting a peaceful day angling, only to find his skills admired by a crowd of gardening enthusiasts, many of whom photographed his exploits.

Mrs Molyneux was an encyclopaedia of information for those who wanted to know about the plants. She was also at pains to ensure that all that had helped prepare the gardens were given credit. Gardener Paul 'Tom' Thomas kept a low profile organising the car parking while enthusiasts admired his work.

The recent cool weather meant some flowers that would usually have been open at this time of the year were still closed. But as a result others were still in their full glory. The wild flowers were especially good; billowing cow parsley on the long drive and the buttercup meadow drawing admiring comments. In the formal gardens, two Rosa Banksia were the stars of the show.

Mr and Mrs Molyneux thanked everyone who made the day such a splendid success. An army of volunteering friends prepared, donated and sold the cakes and teas, organised car parking or manned the ticket gate.