A DEDICATED gardener's final wish has been fulfilled.

Passionate about horticulture, Joan Drewe organised an open garden event at her cottage near Middleton-in-Teesdale in County Durham to raise funds for one of her favourite charities.

Sadly, the 87-year-old died on Tuesday, days before it was due to be held.

But when she became unwell, Mrs Drewe insisted the event go ahead regardless – to allow visitors to view her garden at its best on a lovely summer’s day.

Her friends and the team at her chosen charity, Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services (UTASS), were determined to fulfil her request and yesterday opened up her garden to the public

Mrs Drewe, who was well-known for her kindness and hospitality, held a similar event at her Snaisgill home last year, which raised more than £600.

This time, however, there were no fundraising activities. Instead visitors were encouraged to appreciate her garden and remember Joan in the place that she loved best.

Neighbours Judith and John Mashiter said Mrs Drewe would have loved to have seen everyone enjoying the garden.

“She was a dear friend,” said Mrs Mashiter. “She loved gardening and knew all of the Latin and common names for the plants, and all of the herbs and their medicinal properties.

“Joan was always giving people plants. I’m sure there are an awful lot of gardens in Teesdale with a bit from her cottage in them.

"She was always planning new projects for the garden, it was never static.”

Mrs Drewe moved to the hamlet of Snaisgill in the mid-1980s with her late husband, John.

The couple became well-loved members of the community, and Mrs Drewe, with her extensive knowledge of everything from plants and herbs, to books and politics, became somewhat of an oracle.

Mr Drewe shared his wife’s love of gardening and the pair transformed their garden from a rambling wilderness to paradise.

After her husband’s death in 1995, Mrs Drewe maintained it on her own, ensuring his beloved Azaleas and Rhododendrons continued to flourish.