Three days in the South East inc Wisley

A few photos from Wisley

42 members recently enjoyed a lovely weekend in the south east of England. We stayed two nights in a hotel at Shepperton and visited three completely different gardens.

An early departure from the coach station on the first day and a straight forward no delay journey meant we got to our first destination early. RHS Garden Wisley. A dry pleasant afternoon with sunny intervals greeted us in the south east.

The second day allowed us a full day at Hampton Court Palace.

Finally after breakfast on the final day we arrived at Kew Gardens at 10 o'clock and were there for six hours to wander freely.

A surprise meal on the way home ended a fabulous three days.

Pictures to follow from Kew and Hampton Court.

Mid Devon Show success

Our exhibit at the Flower and Garden Marquee at Mid Devon Show was a great success. Keeping with the theme of the show, Meadow and Grasslands, we put together a stunning exhibit, even if I say so myself!

The stars being a collection of meadow flowers grown by Peter Billing and a pretty garden border of traditional cottage garden flowers grown by Ann Crawford.

Rachel Hart, Mary Smith, Janet Billing, Jean & John Bennett all gathered plants in pots, cut greenery and mechanics to build up the scene. Pictures of sheep from Watermans, turf kindly supplied by Edenvale Turf together with plastic wood pidgeons made by Janet sat on Rachel's house gate.

The Marquee was rewarded by winning the Leisure section for the best marquee, so congratulations to Marquee organiser/co-ordinator, Mary Tucker and the other exhibitors.

Thank you to all who made this exhibit possible. You did the Club proud. Thank you also to all stewards on the day of show.

Garden Visit to Hidcote Manor Garden

July's garden visit was to the National Trust's Hidecote Manor Garden in Gloucester.

From what I have heard the roses were magnificent. Hopefully I will get some photos to show at some point.

The National Trust's Website describes the garden:
"The twisting lanes of the Cotswold countryside lead to one of the most inventive and influential gardens of the 20th century. Hidcote Manor Garden, with its structure of outdoor 'rooms', linked by vistas and furnished with all sorts of topiary, recalls both the English garden style and the European connections of its creator Major Lawrence Johnston. Laid out over 70 years ago an astonishing variety of effects have been created. Hedges, walls, water and paving were all combined to create a garden that has its origins in the Arts and Crafts movement. Profuse and 'jungly' planting, rich colour and texture, contrast with areas left deliberately plain to give calm and restful intinterludes, so increasing the impact of the garden's lavish and exciting progression."

Garden Visits in The Lake District

47 members have just returned from a week's holiday organised by the Tours sub-committee to The Lake District. Staying at The Cumbria Grand Hotel in Grange-over-Sands, we had a great week.

Wall to wall sunshine and six garden visits with a cruise on Lake Windermere too, it was a fun filled and hectic week.

A collage of the best images:

Garden Visit to Greenway House

A short boat cruise along the River Dart from Dartmouth to Greenway House jetty was enjoyed by members on a bright sunny day.

Photos supplied by Val Payne:

Garden visit to Kilver Court Garden

May's garden visit was to the secret gardens of Somerset at Kilver Court, Shepton Mallet, open to the public for the first time in over a century. In the 1800's the gardens were open to factory workers as an oasis of tranquility and nature.

Roger Saul has now unlocked the doors against a backdrop of a listed viaduct, the gardens lawns frame a millpond, a boating lake and a formal parterre creating a perfect place to relax.

An overcast day did not spoil the delight of members in this gem of a garden.

May Coffee Morning

Members and visitors enjoyed an informal chat over refreshments at the Coffee Morning held at The Memorial Hall yesterday. The Bring & Buy, Cake Stall and Raffle were well supported. Member, Julia Robinson had a good selection of annuals for sale and visitors filled their bags.

Plants for the members plant competition for the Autumn Flower Show were on sale. Fuchsias called Garden News, supplied by Cove Garden Nursery were snapped up.

The ladies & gent from the kitchen making the tea and doing the washing up.

The ladies taking the money for coffee & raffles

Plants being sold

Lots of chat going on

Chairman Tim with two of his helpers