Our weekly gardening columnist Geoff Stonebanks chairs the Driftwood Fundraising Group and has been organising the Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail since 2012. Coronavirus mean the event had to be cancelled in 2020 but will go ahead this year over the weekend of July 24 and 25. There will be 15 gardens to see, with nine in Brighton, five in Seaford and one in the village of Alfriston.

Three of the gardens are new for 2021. Geoff suggests planning one day of the weekend in the city and the other in and around Seaford.

GEOFF STONEBANKS’ fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support, through the trail and other activities in and around his own garden, Driftwood in Seaford, has now enabled him to hand over more than £87,500 to the charity.

All the money has gone to the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton.

The centre is a calm, friendly and welcoming place offering support, so people affected by cancer in Sussex can still live their life.

The Argus: Walled garden, SeafordWalled garden, Seaford

All charities suffered greatly throughout the pandemic, Macmillan Cancer Support included, so Geoff is urging people to get out and support them, at the same time improving your own mental health while having a great day out in some wonderful gardens.

Well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed in all the gardens this year.

Geoff raised more than £800 for Macmillan earlier this year after being persuaded by friends to pose in his garden for World Naked Gardening Day, back at the beginning of May. He decided to rise to the challenge with a strategically placed pot of flowers to protect his dignity and it proved an excellent start to his 2021 fundraising.

Eleven of the gardens this year will be serving home-made tea and cake and some have art and plants for sale too.

Tickets are £8 for a day ticket on either the Saturday or the Sunday, with children going free.

They can be purchased in the first garden visited, or for those who want to buy online, go to www.macmillangardentrail.co.uk and follow the link at the top of the page.

The Argus: WiveslfieldWiveslfield

Those who just want to visit a single garden will pay £3 at the garden gate on the day.

Unfortunately most of the private gardens do not have disabled access.

You can print your own listing of garden details and locations from the website or pick up a copy in the garden when you buy your ticket.

All the gardens will open both days from 11am to 5pm, with two in Seaford opening on Saturday only.

Check the website for up-to-date details.

Geoff said: “Please support the event by going along and enjoying the gardens, not to mention the wonderful refreshments.

“This is a special year, as many garden owners have really made an effort following their enforced

time at home over the last 18 months.

“Please come out and support their efforts and help us recover some of the losses the charity has incurred throughout the pandemic.

“It will be a great day out for both you and your dog.”

All the details can be found on the website and you can ring Geoff on 01323 899296.