THE Countess of Wessex performed the official opening ceremony at the Golden Jubilee Arboretum at The Garden House at Buckland Monachorum last week.

In brilliant sunshine the countess was welcomed to the garden by acting chairman of the Fortescue Garden Trust, David Incoll, and head gardener, Nick Haworth. Following a tour of the garden, she unveiled a plaque at the entrance to the Arboretum, which was created to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Fortescue Garden Trust, the charity which manages The Garden House.