Rock star's open gardens event with £50m car collection raises record sum

Thousands attended an open house event at the Wiltshire home of Pink Floyd drummer raising a staggering amount for charity.

Nick and Annette Mason saw 11,000 people visit their home last weekend as part of the Middlewick House Open Garden event in Corsham, which featured a display of Nick's £50m classic car collection.

The annual Open Garden event is to raise money for the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust and Wiltshire Air Ambulance and raised a total of £123,000 split equally between both charities.

It is now thought to be the biggest fundraiser in the county, with both charities receiving over £61,000 each – a 38% increase from last year’s event

Visitors to the picturesque surroundings were able to walk around the stunning walled garden, browse over 60 stalls from local traders, as well as enjoy something to eat and drink from the BBQ and café.

Pink Floyd drummer Nick was on hand to sign autographs and pose for pictures, as well as displaying his incredible collection of sports cars.

Local car clubs bolstered the number of sports vehicles on site, including Jaguar, Lotus, Ferrari, and Porsche.

Children played games in the garden, enjoying inflatable slides and the bouncy castle, as well as waving to Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s helicopter as it circled overhead.

Jennie Shaw, director of The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, said: “This is the perfect example of charities working in partnership to raise funds which directly benefit the local community.

“We are so thankful for the support of the residents in Pickwick and Middlewick Lane because, without their understanding, this event would not happen.

“On site, the staff at Middlewick House were tremendous once more, as they have been over the last 12 years as the event has grown and grown.

“Finally, I want to thank our main sponsor Grist Environmental, as well as Toby Haynes Family Butchers in Corsham, KFR Devizes, Wiltshire Farm Foods, Bakkavor and the local supermarkets for all donating to the event.”

Wiltshire Air Ambulance deputy chief executive Barbara Gray said: “Once again, we are so grateful to Nick and Annette for opening their home to the public to help raise vital funds for two essential local charities.

“We are also indebted to the many staff and volunteers from the two charities, without whom we wouldn’t have been able to make the event such a huge success.”