A Wiveliscombe charity that enables people to live independently for as long as possible, is holding a major open gardens event plus arts and crafts fair for the first time, as its top fundraiser of the year.

Twenty local gardens have signed up for the Wivey Secret Gardens 2026 garden trail in aid of Wivey Cares, while 16 local artists and crafters are taking part in the Arts & Crafts Fair, all on the weekend of Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, from 11am to 4pm.

“There will be one Milverton and 19 Wiveliscombe gardens taking part, mostly all secret because they are tucked away behind walls and fences and driveways, and can’t normally be seen. Each one is completely unique,” said Valeria Coots, one of the Wivey Cares trustees and organisers.

With running expenses of £3,800 a month for organising one to one assistance and also running several groups for people who are usually over 60 and have health problems, disabilities, or may be in emotional or financial need, this weekend is of vital importance for the organisation, which fundraises tirelessly throughout the year.

Wivey Care has developed an innovative model of putting mostly local, self-employed people, who have been vetted and trained by the organisation, in touch with those needing everything from personal and home care to befriending and shopping. It also has around 25 volunteers, and is always looking for more, to help with everything from gardening to befriending, and its model is being adopted throughout Somerset.

Many of the gardens which will be open have plaques from Somerset Wildlife Trust, Valeria said, and they range widely. One in the centre of Wiveliscombe, for example, is 150 years old, surrounded by high stone walls to keep hedgehogs safe; others are on modern estates, including a “modern, contemporary, chill out garden with a jungle feel”. From a ‘clifftop’ garden on four levels to gardens with outstanding views or cosy cottage look, there will be a tremendous variety on show.

Visitors can pay on the day or book tickets in advance online for a slightly reduced cost, but all will need to register and get wristbands and garden ‘passports’ at the Wivey Cares headquarters set up in Jubilee Gardens for the event, from 10am to 5pm. There will also be refreshments, a plant sale, and wildlife experts there.

The Arts & Crafts Fair will feature the works of 16 local, well-known artists and crafters, with a wide variety of work from watercolours to animal ceramics. It is being held at Secret Meadow, Weekmoor, Milverton, TA4 1QE, from 11am to 4pm, with free entry and donations welcome.

Other weekend events include a guided tour around St Andrews Churchyard with archaeologist Bob Croft, a visit to Wiveliscombe allotments, and wildlife and garden talks in Wivey Community Centre on Saturday at 5.30pm.

For full details on all events, visit wiveycares.net

Members of Wivey Cares will also be in Wiveliscombe Square a fortnight before the event selling tickets, or people can contact Valeria at [email protected]