I SPENT an enjoyable few hours last Saturday going round the open gardens in Ashford.

The gardens were all lovely, a credit to their owners: but the ones that impressed me most were the ones that I almost didn't bother going to see.

These were the three courtyard gardens at Ashford Hospital. My memories of these bare, concrete squares were not very favourable, however I did go and what a transformation. Any of the three would not have been out of place at Chelsea.

I wonder how many patients and visitors are actually aware of these gardens.

They are all beautiful, and I feel sure that people would benefit and feel lifted, just by sitting in any of them for a while.

These gardens have all been created by volunteers, I believe, and I would like to say a big thank you to them all.

I hope that next time they have cause to visit the hospital, some of your readers will seek out these courtyards, and be as delighted by them as I was.

PB MARTIN Beech Road, Bedfont.