Category: Gardening Group

On 1^st September the group travelled to Yorkshire for the last trip of the year to Harlow Carr.

In spite of the weather we have had this year, the gardens were beautiful and still full of colour. The day was mostly dry, and we enjoyed wandering around the gardens and following the various trails, seeing just what a colourful season Autumn can be.

As usual Betty’s Tearoom and cafe was a very welcome stopping place and refreshed all who tried the delicious fare. This garden is a good place to visit to get ideas for your own plot, both in variety, colour and size of plants. 

October’s meeting is at the JGC at 1.30 to 3.30 when we welcome Camilla Anderson who is speaking on Arts and Crafts and Edwardian gardens.

All are welcome as we are an open group.

Anne

In August, members heard about flowers beginning with the letter A. These included Acacia, Abelia, Acanthus, Acer, Aconite, Agapanthus, Agave, Alchemilla, Allium, Alstroemeria, Amaryllis, Anemone to name just a few of the 70 that I found.

A good number attended despite the weather – it poured with rain just at our meeting time! – and the holiday season. But then we know that gardeners are intrepid and positive characters!

September’s meeting was a trip, this time to Harlow Carr, more details next month.

On 6^th October we are back at the JGC for a talk by Camilla Anderson on Arts and Crafts and the Edwardian Garden. All are welcome as we are an open group.

Anne

July’s meeting was a trip out. After a longer journey than anticipated due to traffic hold-ups, we arrived at the Dorothy Clive Gardens near |Stoke on Trent. It was an ideal day for walking around as it was not too hot.

There are many different beautiful flowers, so colourful, as well as trees, birds and butterflies, it was amazing, not to mention the waterfall and wonderful bronze statue of a stag, and carved owls in the tree trunks along with a very nice cafe and grounds around it. We even saw a tree creeper, which is a very rare sight.

I am sure everyone enjoyed their day. Thank you to Anne and Sandra for a great day out. Thank you to Pam Farrell for this report, and to Jane Pointon for the pictures.

The next meeting is on 4^th August when we hear a talk about flowers beginning with “A”.

We are now taking names for the next trip on 1^st September, which will be our last for this year, to Harlow Carr.

Anne Wilkinson

Last month members enjoyed a lovely and interesting talk from Steffie Shields MBE. Born in Wimbledon she now lives in Lincolnshire and her talk was based on this second biggest county in the country.

Steffie is vice chair of the Lincolnshire Gardens Trust and knows many of the gardens and halls that we all love to visit. She spoke about Gunby Hall, Burghley, (of Capability Brown fame), Grantham Town Gardens and Woolsthorpe Manor, reminding us that the county is not just a flat place but full of fabulous houses and gardens.

There is also Grimsthorpe, Threekingham, Ravesby, Joseph Banks Society Garden in Horncastle, Dawber Garden, Scrivelsby, St James’ Church Louth, Imsby Manor, Marigold Garden Sutton on Sea, Harrington Hall, and the Dutch architecture of Aslackby Manor, to mention but a few! She is a very knowledgeable lady indeed!

Thank you to Helen Harvey for this report.

In July members are visiting the Dorothy Clive Garden in Shropshire.

Meanwhile enjoy your own plots, whatever the size.

Anne

Last month’s meeting was a talk from Patsy Rayner who spoke most interestingly on Japanese Gardening.

She has a son living there so has visited several times and now tries to incorporate some of the ideas into her own plot. She showed how easy it is to add some to our own gardens, including height, to reference Mount Fuji, and gravel or moss paths to represent dry river beds or springs, or to use moss and simple green planting  instead of varied flowering plants. Quite a change to what we are used to seeing and doing here.

May’s group meeting is a trip to Middleton Hall, near Tamworth.

Anne