The doors of Enys House near Penryn were opened to the public for the first time in 50 years on Sunday, thanks to a sell-out fundraising carol concert by Treverva Male Voice Choir.

The money raised will go towards the work of the Enys Trust, set up in 2002 as a charity in order to secure the long term future of the garden at Enys, and to open the garden to the public.

With the men in fine voice, supporters gathered downstairs to listen to some festive favourites, kept warm thanks to support from Jewsons, and refreshed thanks to Sainsbury’s, who supplied mince pies and more.

This was the third concert by the choir to help fund the trust. Among those attending was Wendy Fowler, one of the remaining members of the Enys family, and member of the trust. The first half of the concert was from the choir’s usual repertoire, finishing with the rousing Russian ‘Kalinka’. For the second half, Santa hats were donned and the sounds of Merritt and Warmington as well as the Coventry Carol were aired.

The choir was conducted by MD John Adams with Ruth Bray as accompanist. They also combined on flute and piano with some James Galway arrangements of Christmas carols and with a guest appearance by second flautist, Sophie Hooper.

Enys is considered to be the oldest garden in Cornwall.

Robert de Enys lived there during the reign of Edward 1 with the 1709 edition of Camden's Magna Britannia saying that Enys was noted for its fine gardens.

While the garden flourishes thanks to the hard work of volunteers, the once grand house has seen better days, falling victim to dry rot and age.

However, refurbishment work has allowed sections to be made safe, allowing visitors to have a peek at the inside.

The choir’s next engagement is with Mabe Ladies on Sunday, December 16 at the last Carolaire to be held at Treverva Chapel.