A Little Piece of Paradise - Episode 1

In the first programme in a new series, ITV Wales’ weather presenter Ruth Wignall sets off on a journey around Wales visiting some of the gardens taking part in this year’s National Gardens Scheme.

Also joining her on the road will be ITV Wales’ gardening expert Bill Lee – offering tips and advice on how to create your very own little piece of paradise.

During the next five weeks they will be meeting the owners of 10 different gardens - ranging from a huge nine acre formal garden, to the back yard which has been transformed into a blaze of colour, some are National Gardens Scheme old timers and others are newcomers opening their gates this year for the very first time.

Every year thousands of pounds are raised for charity when hundreds of private gardens across Wales open to visitors. The National Gardens Scheme is a registered charity established in 1927 and the beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Help the Hospices and Cross Roads Care.

Bill Lee said: 

“One of the things that I have learnt about gardening over many years is that for the gardener the most valuable aid is time. This series shows what gardeners with all their other commitments can achieve if they recognize that a garden is always a “work in progress. The gardens we visit demonstrates how individuals can achieve their own particular objectives with fascinating results.”

In this first episode they will be visiting two very different gardens – the first in the Neath Valley has been created by gardener turned natural health therapist Lorraine Rudd. The ¾ acre garden complete with a therapy centre, tropical greenhouse, terraced cottage style planting, ponds and wildflower areas perfectly reflects the dramatic setting.

The second is a Japanese style garden in the Cardiff suburbs. It has taken aikido instructor Bernard Harding 12 years to create the mini landscape which contains a pond, water features, and even a tea house.

The series continues its journey across Wales, visiting gardens in Pembroke Dock, the Snowdonia National Park, Monmouth, Denbigh, Caldicot, Barry, Laugharne and Machynlleth.

A Little Piece of Paradise, Episode 1, ITV Wales, 8.00pm, Monday 2nd of August, 2010.