The Flower Tap, based at the Rising Sun, opened its doors in June after months of work to transform the land. Selina Craig, 55, from Highmoor, who specialises in estate management, renovation and design, proposed the project to John Bowe, 43, one of the pub's tenants.

It features about 5,000 flowers of different types, including hydrangeas, sweet peas and dahlias. They sell flower subscriptions, hold pick your own flower sessions and host events, including pizza nights and afternoon tea.

Residents donated a polytunnel, greenhouse and a shed from which they sell card and picture designs, vases and pastries from Imma the Bakery in Stoke Row. The land is also home to 30 battery farm rescue chickens and a cockerel, called King Richard III, as well as a flock of 55 ducks, also rescued from a battery farm and taught to swim by Mr Bowe.

Ms Craig retired in 2019 and completed a level two Royal Horticultural Society course at Berkshire College of Agriculture after being made redundant from an AI firm. She said: "I used to come to the pub when I moved to the village a couple of years ago. I loved the pub and knew John was really into gardening."

Source: www.floraldaily.com