Thousands of people visited the Corsham home of Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and his wife Annette, over the weekend to support open days to raise funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust.

The annual Open Garden event at Middlewick House in Middlewick Lane is now thought to be the biggest fundraiser in the county, drawing an estimated weekend crowd in excess of 11,000 people.

Organisers are still counting the cash but say the event is “beyond our expectations” and are hoping it has beat the £88,000 raised from 8,000-plus visitors last year.

The Wiltshire Air Ambulance mascot Marsha outside Middlewick House.The Wiltshire Air Ambulance mascot Marsha outside Middlewick House. (Image: Wiltshire Air Ambulance)

Jennie Shaw, director of The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, said: “The event was beyond our expectations. It was phenomenal.

“This is the perfect example of charities working in partnership to raise funds that 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 wouldn’t 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 crew mingle amongst the crowds at Nick and Annette Mason's Middlewick House open daysWiltshire Air Ambulance crew mingle amongst the crowds at Nick and Annette Mason's Middlewick House open days (Image: Wiltshire Air Ambulance)

Wiltshire Air Ambulance deputy chief executive Barbara Gray said: “Once again, we are so grateful to Nick and Annette for opening up 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.”

Visitors to the couple’s picturesque Georgian home in Corsham were able to walk around the stunning walled garden, browse more than 60 stalls from local traders, as well as enjoying something to eat and drink from the BBQ and café.

Some of the multi-million pounds-worth of supercars on display at Middlewick House.Some of the multi-million pounds-worth of supercars on display at Middlewick House. (Image: Wiltshire Air Ambulance)

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

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.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s emergency medical helicopter flies over the event at Middlewick House.Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s emergency medical helicopter flies over the event at Middlewick House. (Image: Wiltshire Air Ambulance)

The two-day event is held to fit around Nick’s busy touring schedule with his band A Saucerful of Secrets and is annually attracting more and more visitors, causing traffic problems in Middlewick Lane and on the main A4 road through Pickwick.