Village Gardeners
The subject of our January meeting, given by Richard Todd, Head Gardener at
Anglesea Abbey for the last 30 years, was "The Pleasures of the Winter
Garden". He took us on a splendid "photo" walk through the
garden, which was developed to commemorate the centenary of the birth of the
present Lord FairhavenŐs father, who bought the Abbey along with its 98 acres,
in the 1930s.
It is now in its sixth season (measuring 450 metres by 30/40 metres long it ranks as one of the largest winter gardens in the country) and is maintained by six full-time gardeners and 18 volunteers (more needed!). Six years ago, as Richard Todd said, it was a "blank canvas". Alongside the lovely serpentine path was laid 100 tons of well rotted leaves in which were planted between three and four thousand plants.
He was very proud of the fact that the Abbey now recycle 90% of their green waste, which helps to provide the 3-4,000 tons of mulch that is put on the garden annually. The results of this amazing hard work are there now of course in all their glory: fabulous colour combinations and perfumes that should not be missed; a surprise around every bend in the path - Dogwoods, Acers, Birches, Hazels, Honeysuckles, tulips, crocuses, snowdrops (140 varieties), cyclamen and hellebores to mention just a few.
I thought it might be of interest to readers to see our programme up until October 2004. We think the variety of talks and visits will be stimulating and enjoyable.
- Tuesday 17th February Flora of the Devil's Ditch Peter Grubb
- Tuesday 16th March Three Ottoman gardens of Istanbul John Drake
- Tuesday 20th April Spring Bulbs Janet Hall
- Saturday 22nd May Visit to KEW GARDENS
- Tuesday 29th June Visit to Clare College Gardens Steve Elstrub
- Tuesday 13th July Walk on the Devil's Ditch Peter Grubb
- Tuesday 21st September Autumn in the garden Andrew Harper Scott
- Tuesday October 19th AGM and Entertainment!
All indoor meetings start at 8.00pm at the Village Hall Details of summer visits to be published later.
Specially note the visit to Kew, to which we hope as many of you as possible will be able to come.Please contact Roger Connan or myself if you are interested in coming or about any other dates.
"OPEN GARDENS" in the village is also on our agenda this year. It will be on Sunday July 11th (Wimbledon being well and truly over!) If there is anyone in the village who'd like to volunteer to have their garden open, we'd be very pleased to hear from them. Gardens large or small, wild or formal, mature or in the early planning stage, will all add variety to what is always a great day. We of course also have on the list---cream teas, a large plant stall and sunshine!