Cromarty’s secret gardens and the town’s celebrated flower festival will form part of events held around the country next month to commemorate a popular MP who was killed last year.
Jo Cox, 42, the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was shot and stabbed in the street in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on June 16.
The “Great Get Together” is being held in her memory to celebrate the sentiments she expressed in her maiden speech to parliament: “We have more in common than that which separates us.”
And, as a result, several of Cromarty’s secret gardens will be open to visitors so that they can enjoy a picnic with friends, family and neighbours as part of the event.
Behind the red sandstone walls of the town’s 18th century streets lies a cornucopia of herbaceous delights with more than 25 gardens waiting to be explored.
These range from ingenious herb-filled plots to secluded courtyards, from wild woodlands and wildlife habitat gardens to manicured borders as well as a magnificent apple-filled orchard.
This event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18, from 11am-4pm.
The Art and Flower Festival also returns the same weekend for 10 flower-filled days in the town’s East Church.
To reflect the theme of peace and unity, the wonderful floral displays created by Evelyn Wilson and her team, will be white and will be the perfect complement to the diverse flower paintings by Julie Price’s talented art group.
This exhibition will continue daily through the week to the following weekend and finish on the afternoon of June 25.