READ Easy Blackmore Vale North raised over £1,000 at a garden party on a sunny Sunday in June to support adult literacy.

Plank House, Gillingham, the setting of the party, has two and half acres of land with the River Stour running alongside it.

A spokesperson for the group said: “The garden includes a delightful rose garden, vegetable plots and greenhouses full of healthy produce, lawns and arbours, a croquet lawn and woodland towards the end of the property.

Read Easy offers free, one-to-one coaching to adults who cannot read or struggle to do so Picture: Read Easy Blackmore Vale North

“There were tea and scones, music from The Yellow Bus (not literally a yellow bus), plants for sale, a tombola and three wonderful raffle prizes donated by Gillingham businesses, Waitrose, Crockers and Orchard Park.

“Aldi, ASDA and Coop generously donated scones and jam. Mayor of Gillingham Roger Weeks and Deputy Mayor Fiona Cullen came to support the afternoon. Read Easy Blackmore Vale North is very grateful to its garden party guests.”

Read Easy Blackmore Vale North is a local group of the national adult literacy charity, Read Easy UK.

The organisation offers free, one-to-one coaching to adults who cannot read or struggle to do so. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 14 adults are in this position. The coaching is given by trained and understanding coaches.

Reaching the end of the programme takes as long as it takes – there is no pressure on readers.

A spokesperson said: “The amount raised at the garden party is immensely valuable to the group. It will go towards new workbooks for new readers, expenses for the coordinators whose job is to support the coaches and readers, and graduation celebrations.”

For more information about the group, visit their website.