THE Friends of Ness Gardens will celebrate 50 years of supporting Ness Botanic Gardens in fine style.

Set up in 1962 to support the work carried out by staff and 200 volunteers, the Friends now number more than 7,400 members.

They have funded many large projects over the years, including the terraces, numerous planting projects and the visitor centre at the gardens, themselves more than a century old.

More recently they have funded the installation of Ness Botanische, Chris Beardshaw’s award-winning garden, the Pingo and waterfall area, as well as the funding of student bursaries.

To celebrate their anniversary, the Friends are planning fun family focused events throughout summer.

Every Sunday between June and August there will be something new to try out – at no extra cost.

The fun and fundraising kicks off on Monday, May 7, with the Friends’ bring-and-buy plant sale taking place from 10am-2pm.

There will also be advice from expert gardeners including former deputy director of the gardens Dr Hugh McAllister.

There will be willow-weaving and wood-turning activities for families to try in the gardens accompanied by a local jazz band.

All money raised from the plant sale and other Friends’ fundraising will go toward achieving targets including the refurbishment of the potting shed area, providing an education facility for children and building a new greenhouse.

Normal garden admission charges apply (Friends go free) for Sunday fun days. The Friends’ bring-and-buy plant sale has a nominal entrance fee.