Otope garden day blooming marvellous for St John

Lady Monty, left, I'm Just Here and Kinky Lady from the Ruahine Red Hatters from Waipukurau enjoying a day in the Otope garden of Sue Buchanan last Sunday.

Last Sunday's day in the garden at Otope was perfect for the hundreds who attended, helping to raise money for the Dannevirke St John Health Shuttle.

"It was a perfect day," Josie Roberston said.

For organisers Sue Buchanan and Liz Parkes the day was a culmination of a lot of hard work.

"It was a wonderful day, we're very pleased," Sue said.

Dishing up: Emily Mott, left, helping on the Just Salads stall of gourmet chef Susie Hutton at Otope.

"The numbers were up a little bit on the 500 we had last year and while we would have loved to have had more people through, I realise there was a lot of other events that day."

Sue said most stallholders were happy with their takings and Helen Howey, of Waipukurau, told the Dannevirke News she was delighted with the response to her stall TQ APRINZ.

"I had a good day at last year's market here and there's such a friendly, happy atmosphere, I love it," she said. "It's very worthwhile to come to this event because I think people appreciate the great, quality stalls."

Sue said the food on offer was amazing and Bandy McBandy "fabulous", entertaining the large crowd who made the most of the sheltered seating.

"Liz and I are very happy with how things went, but in the future we may take a different tack," she said.

* Photo feature Dannevirke News Saturday.