Eastbourne Garden Show

Step into a world of six acclaimed private gardens each a living canvas of colour, design and inspiration from lush natives to sculpted landscapes. Each garden tells a story and provides a visual image of wonderful creations.

One garden, allegedly with the best vista, has not been opened to the public before. One garden has previously featured in the House and Garden magazine. The tour (self-guided) will begin with lunch and an opportunity to buy potted plants in the tranquil St Alban's church garden, 11 Ngaio St Eastbourne, Lower Hutt, Wellington. The tour will end with hors d'oeuvre, wine and live music in the last garden.

This is a chance not just to visit amazing gardens but support the earthquake strengthening of St Alban's historic church and hall for a rejuvenated community hub.

St Albans church garden

The six private gardens all lie within a less than 100 m walk of the 83 Metlink Marine Parade bus route, but a car or bicycle would be more convenient.

A glimpse of the six separate gardens (a-e).

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The garden show is in support of earthquake strengthening of the de Jersey Clere designed St Alban's church and adjacent hall to remake this a community hub.

For the last hundred years and more, this beautiful church designed by acclaimed architect Frederick de Jersey Clere has been the heart of Anglican parish life for people in the eastern bays of Wellington. People have rejoiced, prayed and wept in it through happy family milestones and sad occasions, through two world wars and countless celebrations and crises. Along with its parish hall and tranquil garden, it has been the base for social and community services and outreach, and its memorial wall houses the ashes of local residents.

But in 2016 the congregation had to suddenly leave the church, which was deemed an earthquake risk.

Since then, the parish has explored alternatives for continuing its life and service to the people of the eastern bays. In that process it has kept its ministry and worship going through borrowed premises in local schools and other churches. Now, however, the parish has decided it needs to go back to its original base and strengthen both St Alban’s Church and the parish hall so it can continue to serve the community from its heart and home in Ngaio Street, for the next hundred years and more.

Detailed plans for strengthening the church and hall to meet acceptable safety standards have been drawn up, and fund-raising is under way. The parish is a registered charity (CC22188) and tax-deductible receipts will be issued for all donations.

Postponement by 1 day to 30 Nov if weather were to dictate and would be announced on this web site.