A COUPLE in Rowen have received a special 30-year award from the National Garden Scheme for reaching the milestone in support of the fundraising initiative.

James and Isoline Greenhalgh, of Rowen, Conwy, were presented with a brass plaque at a gathering of the Scheme held in Penmon, Anglesey, with the plaque engraved with thanks from the National Garden Scheme for their generous support.

Mr and Mrs Greenhalgh’s garden Gilfach was first opened by Isoline’s aunt soon after the Second World War and the baton was passed to the couple in the 1990s.

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The couple were lost for words and said: “Where does the time go?

“The garden has splendid views over the Conwy valley to the south and the Snowdonian range to the west.

“The view from Gilfach is one we love to share.”

The National Garden Scheme opens privately-owned gardens in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and The Channel Islands on selected dates for charity.

It was founded in 1927 with the aim of "opening gardens of quality, character and interest to the public for charity".

The couple’s Gilfach garden will open to the public this weekend on May 1 as part of the National Garden Scheme.

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