Our visit to Barnards Green House took place on a lovely August day. This garden has been revamped since Mr. and Mrs. Nicholls sold off some of their land for building. The new houses are well screened and although some favourite parts of the garden are untouched, the new areas blend seamlessly into the old landscape. One of our members thought the new garden was much improved and liked the cosiness of the smaller area. Well worth a visit if you have not been.
Our last visit of the season to Harrell’s Hardy Plant Nursery and Garden, in September, came as quite a surprise to a lot of us; a specialist nursery and expansive garden in the middle of an Evesham housing estate, established and run by two very determined retired ladies with a passion for gardening.
In September, our Treasurer Cathy Snelgrove, opened her garden at Callow End for the first time, to over 80 people, for the NGS Open Garden Scheme. Several Group members visited and enjoyed afternoon tea in a quiet courtyard and colourful flower garden. They then went on to admire her chickens, fruit and vegetables in a “to die for" walled garden. If you missed it – she is opening again next year in 2010!!
Our summer visits have all been much enjoyed, with the weather proving mostly kind making our visits all the more enjoyable. We would like to thank our Programme Secretaries Ken and Audrey Webb for arranging such interesting visits and most importantly, organising the weather for us! Now we are looking forward to a full winter programme of talks and slide shows.
Once again it is time to book for our Christmas Lunch, to be held at The Bluebell at Ryall on Saturday 12th December. The Booking form should be completed and returned by 1st November 2009 with a £5 deposit per person, as places are limited. Please note we have taken the two course option this year at £13. 95. as several people commented that they felt the 3 course meal plus mince pie and coffee was just a bit too much, last year.
AGM followed by John and Anita Ruffell – Slide shows on Gardens and Geoff Hamilton’s Barnsdale Gardens – a return visit by popular demand and an appropriate pictorial visit to Barnsdale, now home of C.G.S. President Nick Hamilton and venue for this year’s AGM in June.
A Royal Greenhouse, A Fountain and A Chateau – A long weekend in Belgium – Talk and slides by Brian Skeys. The splendour of the Royal Greenhouses at Laeken, nr. Brussels, the magnificent water gardens at Annevoie and a Festival of Amaryllis and Orchids at the Chateau of Beloeil. Your Chairman and Committee are looking forward to seeing you at Powick Village Hall at 2.30 p.m.
Marina Duffell, October 2009