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

Garden Visit to Abbey House Gardens

April's garden visit was to Malmesbury and the home of the naked gardeners at Abbey House Gardens. Here are the photos from a glorious day in glorious surroundings. Photos provided by Ros Nichols and Val Payne:

April talk

April's guest speaker was Julia Tremlett from Bickham House, Kenton who gave an informative insight into the workings of the National Gardens Scheme in Devon. With such enthusiasm she showed many photos of the gardens in the scheme in Devon. She explained the history of the scheme and the criteria for having a garden be included within it.