Visit to Forde Abbey Gardens 12th August 2010

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of our visit

Forde Abbey is a treasure in an area already known for its outstanding beauty. More than 900 years of history and romance are encapsulated in this elegant former Cistercian monastery and its 30 acres of award winning gardens

The amazing variety found in this stately home makes it a wonderful place to spend a day for all ages and an ideal destination for group visits. It is also a stunning venue for weddings, receptions and private celebrations of all kinds.

However Forde Abbey is more than a museum piece. It is a family home and very much a living, working estate.

website link: www.fordeabbey.co.uk

Gardening Group Holiday to Kent July 2010

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of our visit

photos and they were taken by Adrian and Glenice Dallow and Carol Elliot.

Visit to Heale House Garden 10th June 2010

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of our visit

Photographs were taken by Dorothy Witcomb, Pam Simpson, Glenice & Adrian Dallow & Ron Lapthorn.

A coach full of intrepid gardeners set off for Heale House gardens, near Salisbury in early June.  It was a grey day, but thankfully remained dry.  The gardens didn’t let us down; there was much to keep us interested.

The Tunnel Garden with the long pergola planted with laburnum, wisteria, roses and clematis was a real pleasure.

The sweet peas grown on single cordons looked very promising, but not yet blooming.

The garden in front of a rather spectacular looking house was closed but we did peep…..wonderful.

A short walk from the croquet lawn took us to the Boat Terrace and the fast flowing River Avon, some of us were lucky enough to see trout leaping, also at the rivers edge was a white clematis (Montana, I think) in full bloom, reaching to the top of a rather tall conifer.

Returning to the tea shop for a welcome cup of tea, (a good selection of homemade cakes and savouries were on offer) we enjoyed strolling through the old fashioned highly scented roses and lavender borders, also worth a mention was the Japanese garden and tea house.

Thank you Norma, for another great day out.  It was also good to see our official photographer, Ron snapping again.

 Delma

When visitors step into the garden at Heale House they are immediately transported into a magical and varied paradise of running streams and exuberant planting that they return to time and again to experience its many different moods throughout the seasons.

The timeless atmosphere at Heale is the result of the creative endeavors of many generations of the Rasch family, who still live in the house, each inspired to leave their mark on a place through which the sparkling tributaries of the river Avon flow. Trout filled streams crossing under the authentic Japanese tea house and below the red Nikko bridge meander through the woodland garden, a rich gardener's paradise.

From early spring when sheets of aconites and snowdrops carpet the ground, to late summer when the crescendo of unusual planting explodes, the garden is in a constant state of flux. In the vegetable garden decorative apple tunnels separate the beds that still supply the house.

Meadows of spring bulbs are home to a new collection of magnolias, and colour-themed borders add contemporary drama to a garden that seems lost in time and is a continual source of inspiration to its owners and the visitors it never fails to charm.

Heale House and its eight acres of beautiful gardens lie beside the river Avon at Middle Woodford, just north of Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Much of the house is unchanged since King Charles II hid here in 1651.

website link: www.healegarden.co.uk

 

Visit to Lydney Park 13th May 2010

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of our visit

Lydney Park Estate is situated between Gloucester and Chepstow in the Forest Of Dean.

The original mansion house at Lydney Park was built by the Wintour Family who were prominent supporters of King Charles I. In 1719 Lydney Park Estate was acquired by Benjamin Bathurst and his descendants have owned it over since.

In 1876 the family demolished the original road-side mansion house, moving to a new house in the centre of the deer park.

In 1935 Captain Charles Bathurst was created Viscount Bledisloe for his services as Governor General of New Zealand and his grandson, Christopher Bathurst QC, is the third Viscount Bledisloe having succeeded his father in 1979.

website link: www.lydneyparkestate.co.uk

 

8th April 2010: Rob and Ann Taylor-Heard: Film of our Holiday to Chester

The film show produced by Rob and Ann Taylor-Heard of our last year's holiday to Chester and the Tatton Park Flower Show, provided us with many happy memories.  Even though we had some very heavy rain showers it did not spoil our enjoyment of the Show or the other beautiful Cheshire Gardens that we visited. 

We are now looking forward to this year's visit to the Gardens of Kent and another lovely film show next year, you have to watch out for Rob with his camera and others of course who may catch you bending!!!  Thanks Rob and Ann for such an enjoyable afternoon and for the bonus of seeing again the Gardens of Cornwall.

The June garden visit will be on Thursday 10th to Heale House Garden leaving Mill Lane at 9.30am.

Finally may I thank everyone for their support over the Autumn and Winter meetings in the Scout Hall, especially Iris for opening up and warming up the Hall and Marlene and the tea ladies for the refreshments.  Let us now hope for a glorious Summer and some enjoyable days out at the gardens we are visiting this year.

Norma Shreeve

The Cardif RHS Flower Show 16th April 2010

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of our visit

Photographs were taken by -  Norma Shreeve, Adrian and Glenice Dallow

A coachful of hopeful third age gardeners left mill lane at 10 am prompt for a day of floral excellence, our chirpy driver related some points of interest as we entered our proud Welsh Capital City.

We had a short pleasant walk ,brandishing our prebooked tickets to the queue of ordinary folk hoping to gain admission!!

On entering the no1 marquee, a blaze of colour hit us with a stunning display of horticultural art that reminded us of our allotment!!

Then back into the sunshine to see an amazing show of wheel barrow art created by schoolchildren from S. Wales, we were all invited to judge the winner, what a request, we thought they should all get a prize.

The illustriuos Roy Noble was entertained by our one and only Glenice Dallow
on the talents of the  Caldicot U3A and virtues of becoming a member when he is old enough.

A splendid day out ,once again many thanks to Norma.
Her dedication to the cause for all of us was much appreciated.

Bill & Jan Thomas

The RHS show season starts here so celebrate in style at this charming show which has a real spring festival feel.

Held in the magnificent Bute Park against the backdrop of Cardiff Castle, the show provides an inspirational display of vibrant gardening, floral delights and expert advice.

website link: www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/shows/cardiff

11th March 2010: Graham Nichols: Introduction to Alpines

Peaks and troughs, an introduction to Alpines, was the subject of a very interesting talk given by Graham Nichols to the Gardening Group at their March meeting.

Graham illustrated his talk with beautiful photographs taken on his visits to North America in search of Alpines.  These he explained grow above the tree level on poor soil but can be really beautiful and easy to grow and maintain in miniature gardens.  He showed us photos of the landscape, with some rare plants, and then of Alpine Society Shows and finally troughs and planters in his own garden.

After this Graham gave us a demonstration of planting up a small trough and finally we were able to purchase some of the Alpines he had for sale from his own Nursery near Bristol.  A thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring afternoon.

We are now into the season of garden visits and our May outing will be to Lydney Park Gardens on Thursday 13th May.  This will be a car sharing visit and we will meet at the Choir Hall Car Park and depart from there at 2.00pm.

Norma Shreeve

11th February 2010: Sheena Crossley: Planting Tubs and Pots

Anything goes it would seem when it comes to containers for plants in our gardens, from old boots to wheelbarrows or buckets.  Sheena Crossley gave the group a most informative and interesting talk on planting pots and containers when she visited us in February, with lots of tips to get the best displays all year round and some photos to give us ideas and inspiration.

Next month (April 8th) will be the film of our holiday to Chester by Rob and Ann and also our last meeting for this Season in the Scout Hall.  Our first trip will be on 16th April, which is a Friday and will be to tbe Cardiff Flower Show leaving Mill Lane at 10.00am

I look forward to seeing you all then.

Norma Shreeve

August 2009 Gardening Group visit to Westonbury Mill Gardens and
The Garden at the Bannut

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of our visit

Photograps were taken by:
Rosemary Brown, Jenny King and Dorothy Witcomb

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Caldicot & District U3A Gardening Group Holiday to Chester and
Tatton Flower Show July 2009

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of our visit

Photograps were taken by:
Adrian and Glenice Dallow, Ann Taylor-Heard, Dorothy Witcomb, Jenny King,
Norma Shreeve & Pat Dawe

website link: www.chester360.co.uk/whats-on/rhs-flower-show

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June 2009 Gardening Group visit to Stourhead

*please click the image below to access a photo slideshow of our visit