Village Gardeners
OVER THE YEARS the village Gardeners have travelled hundreds of miles to see
gardens in many counties. But this month, as well as visiting Great Dixter
(more of that later) we had a lovely evening in the village, when no-one had
even to get their cars out.
We were first taken round the garden at Shadworth House, the home of John and Marion Norris. We amazingly had our tour without a summer deluge and so enjoyed the terraced design, the pond and the many splendid shrubs and plants. As well as John's expert commentary, we were entertained by their black cat, whose final effort was an exceedingly good impression of a small jaguar - amongst the fruit nets!
We ended the evening at Kate Child's cottage at the end of the High Street. We had another guided tour - such a very different design, but perfect for the beautiful thatched cottage. There was wine to soothe us, coffee to warm us and some very serious discussion on planting and design.
Unfortunately, when we visited Great Dixter, near Rye in East Sussex, the home of the late Christopher Lloyd, the weather wasn't so kind: no downpours, but heavy mist and serious drizzle.
We started with a guided tour, around the manor house - the oldest part being
15th century and the latest addition early 20th century, designed by Edwin
Lutyens. It was lived in by Christopher Lloyd until his death in 2006. His
study and the solar - a large upstairs room, remain much as they were when he
was alive, with a very idiosyncratic and intensely personal mix of very
valuable furniture and furnishings.
The manor house is surrounded by the gardens, which are subdivided into different areas - meadows, borders, topiary lawns; an exotic and sunken garden with its lily covered pond. The highlight for me was the High Garden, very skilfully stuffed with wonderfully colourful plants and trees. The fun shone very briefly, but sadly we didn't see it in its full glory.
There is now a Great Dixter Charitable Trust, which hopes to ensure that Christopher Lloyds style of gardening - highly labour intensive and mainly traditional, is maintained. Also to inspire and educate gardeners, without compromise to its essential character.
We had an emergency Cherry Stop on the A229 coming home: I think the young man who served us in the rain must still have a smile on his face (Q'est-ce que c'est? Eds).
We start our indoor meetings at the Village Hall on September 18th, with a talk about the work of the plant variety rights office. All welcome.