Geoff's winning bid

Marking its 10th birthday, Cotswold Conference Centre is spending the year raising money for local charity Noah's Ark Trust.  One of the fund-raising events included a Christmas Charity Auction at The Cotswold Conference Centre in December.

Continuity Shop Director Geoff Howard was the winning bidder for a tour of the Japanese Garden followed by lunch at the Barn Owl bar at the Hotel.

Geoff thoroughly enjoyed his visit to the garden and explains "I have pressed the buzzer at the barrier on the Farncombe Estate more than a hundred times, unaware that hardly fifty yards away is an exquisite garden. I learnt of its existence at a charity auction where I placed a winning bid to be taken on a tour of it. The garden was the idea of the late Jørgen Philip-Sørensen and has been in existence for less than 20 years, but appears to have been there for ever."

" It possesses quintessential qualities of a Japanese garden - a magnificent vista framed by delicate acers. There are streams, ponds, stone lanterns, a sun-house, oriental flowers and above all tranquility."

For details on how you can help raise money for Noah's Ark Trust - email Ellie Jones or call 0845 230 8580