Furzey Gardens at Minstead unveils world's largest fairy door to mark centenary fundraiser

AN EIGHT-FOOT fairy door thought to be the world's largest has been unveiled at Furzey Gardens to mark the launch of its £500,000 centenary fundraiser.

The door, which houses a smaller door within for visitors to gain entry to a bamboo maze, was revealed at a ceremony.

Furzey Gardens is run by the Minstead Trust, a charity which supports people with learning disabilities and autism to gain greater independence.

The unveiling coincided with the charity's Special Years Appeal, which aims to raise £500,000 for the garden’s centenary year to ensure it has a thriving future.

The new giant door is adorned by ceramic fairies made by service users in guided pottery sessions. It joins more than 40 other tiny fairy doors hidden around the gardens.

It was sponsored by Northwood Estate Agents and Holistic Hideaways.

The trust's head of marketing, Matt Stroud, said: "The woodwork instructors and people we support have done a remarkable job building this giant door – with a little help from the fairies of Furzey Gardens, of course.

"We hope visitors of all ages will enjoy entering our bamboo maze through the door. It is a fitting celebration of our centenary as we seek to raise crucial funds."

Furzey Gardens was created 100 years ago by the Dalrymple family, who wanted to create an informal woodland garden.

Over the years it was expanded and new species introduced before it was bought by Tim Selwood in 1972, who founded the Minstead Trust in 1986.

The trust currently helps around 200 people with training and support which is provided through day opportunities, its residential care home, respite short breaks and community pay-as-you-go groups.

To make a donation visit www.minsteadtrust.org.uk/furzey-centenary