A HARTLEY Wintney retirement home has been selected by a national charity as its exclusive sponsor for their annual Garden Walk event.

Victoria and Jubilee Halls charity has announced Renaissance Retirement as sponsor of its popular June Garden Walk in Hartley Wintney this year. All of the proceeds will go towards the charity’s upkeep.

Aiming to beat last year’s total of £3,800, Chris Francis, chairman of the Victoria Hall Charity, is hoping for more than 600 visitors this year. He anticipates that visitors wanting to see the variety of gardens on show, will come from within the village, but also the surrounding area.

The Garden Walk is planned for Sunday, June 19. It follows a route around the village taking in at least nine spectacular gardens, which show off the best of English summer flowers and plantings.

Mr Francis said: “We are delighted Renaissance Retirement is sponsoring the Garden Walk this year.

“It’s a lovely stroll around Hartley Wintney village and a great opportunity to snoop and observe different gardens. We are aiming to generate at least £4,000 if all goes well and are hoping to attract between 600 and 800 visitors.

“The gardens are open between 1–6 pm. Tickets can be purchased from the Victoria Hall office at the village festival, or on the day at one of several gardens. Adults are £5 and children are free.”

Renaissance Retirement sponsorship has been welcomed as a perfect match for the Halls, having just launched its luxury retirement development in the heart of the village in time for the occasion.

Seven of the apartments have already been sold or reserved out of a total of 23. The flats suit people who are downsizing, but want to maintain a high–quality standard of independent living.

“We are delighted to be part of the community in Hartley Wintney,” said Chris Wotton, marketing director at Renaissance Retirement.

“We have been warmly welcomed by many in the village, for which I thank them. And I am very much looking forward to meeting – and getting to know – more people on the garden walk.”

Renaissance Retirement was founded in 1997 to build and manage up-market homes. The company’s first development was in Poundbury.