VISIT TO LAMPORT HALL GARDENS - JUNE 2023
Members of the Guild enjoyed a guided tour of the gardens at Lamport Hall on Monday 12th June 2023. Conducted by local horticultural lecturer Andrew Mikolajski, the tour took in the history of Lamport Hall, seat of the Isham family, the design of the gardens, including the first place in the UK to see Gnomes! Now sadly the collection is no more, but the rock garden created to show them off still exists, though now sadly in need of restoration. On the day of our visit two of the garden team were there making a start on what is no doubt a very ambitious project! The walled garden is well worth a visit as is the spacious lawn and herbaceous borders. Following the tour members enjoyed a delicious cream tea in the stables cafe.
VISIT TO COTON MANOR GARDENS - MAY 2023
The guild recently visited the outstanding Coton Manor Gardens in Northamptonshire to enjoy the bluebell wood and spring flowers.
OCTOBER 2022 - QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE TREE PLANTING
To celebrate the 70 years of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, the Rugby Gardeners Guild donated a tree to the town of Rugby. With help from Councillor Kathryn Lawrence, this was planted at the Rainsbrook Arboretum in October 2022. A plaque with a dedication from the Guild is now on the tree.
OCTOBER MEETING 2021- NICK BAILEY, REVIVE YOUR GARDEN
A welcome return!
Following more than 18 months of Covid restrictions, the committee were delighted when rules were eased for us to host our first face-to-face talk at Thornfield Indoor Bowls Club since the pandemic began. This opportunity was certainly long overdue and greatly anticipated in equal measure.
Around 78 members and guests joined us and our speaker for the evening was the popular TV gardening figure, Nick Bailey. Often seen on TV coverage of flower shows and indeed going to the ends of the earth to show us plants in their native habitat, our anticipation of a good evening was high.
Nick entertained us with his talk about reviving your garden including many recommendations and tips on planting combinations as well as pruning shrubs that have become overgrown and in need of some regeneration. The concept of reviving a garden is a broad-spectrum subject to cover in just under an hour-long talk. Despite that, Nick prompted us to think about the longer terms goals of bringing back interest and colour to those awkward spaces that have become tired and unproductive.
Members engaged with Nick with plenty of questions including a mysterious case of a sickly rose that even stumped his expert knowledge!
After much rapturous applause, the evening concluded with a highly amusing anecdote from Nick on a unique experience at Chelsea Flower Show!
WEEKEND VISIT TO NORTH WALES 2018
6th to 8th July 2018
Report by Sheila Oliver
CROESO I CYMRU!
Day One and our favourite driver drives us to the imposing edifice of Powis Castle, a fortress and a family home which looks down from its narrow ridge over the Severn Valley towards England. Spread out below is Powis's garden of formal terraces, lead statues, huge yew hedges and colourful planting which formed a Persian carpet of many colours. Some were muted in cool pinks and blues, whilst others were on fire in oranges and reds. Some were both. Having descended the many terraces we finally arrived at the Fountain Garden, a refreshing oasis where the National Trust had kindly placed a few deckchairs so that we could enjoy the fountain and take a rest - the temperature was, after all, in the high twenties, and there was little by way of shade. A well-placed tea shop was a welcome break!
Having staggered back up the steps of the terraces, we headed for Powis Castle itself. A helpful guide explained the history of the castle, where over four centuries the Herberts and the Clives transformed the castle into a grand but comfortable family home.The state rooms are decorated with Elizabethan plasterwork, swaggering Baroque mural paintings and ornate Jacobean Revival chimneypieces and house an array of unusual treasures: a rabbit warren of lovely rooms with colourful tapestries, marquetry and paintings portraying a right lot of Herberts! A relative of Clive of India also carried out minor alterations and influences, and the Clive Museum houses an interesting collection brought back from India. The present Earl of Powis still keeps an apartment there. Having absorbed the history of the building and its owners, an ice cream was a must on our way back to the coach.
On, then, to Wrexham, to the Ramada Hotel which would be our base for the weekend and where the rooms were imaginatively presented with plenty of space to chill out.
Day Two, a good night's sleep, a wide range of delicious breakfast fare, and we were off to Bodnant Gardens, another National Trust property. The route took us past beautiful deciduous woods, and hillsides awash with rosebay willowherb, foxgloves and meadowsweet. It was good to sit back and enjoy the views whilst our able driver negotiated some very narrow roads. Bodnant Garden, some 80 square acres, is indeed Nefoedd ar Ddaear ("Heaven on Earth") thanks mainly to the vision of the Victorian Henry Pochin. Bodnant lies in the Conwy Valley near Conwy itself and LLandudno, and the word Bodnant means "dwelling by a stream". Following the stream through the valley one can see how the Garden is shaped by water; brooks meander down the hillside, edged by plants of all descriptions such as hostas, lilies and rhododendrons. Mighty sequoias dominate the pathways through the glades, most of which were planted in the late 1800s.
This is indeed a garden for all seasons. Famous for its laburnum arch which was not in flower, the garden has wonderfully fragrant rose terraces which are worth a visit for themselves alone.The canal terrace, by contrast, offers a more formal vista. On to The Far End where magnolias and acers mingle with waterside willows. A less formal but magical place, where we watched Canada geese feeding among the seeding grasses. A visit to the amazing garden centre (it had to be done!) and then back to our hotel for a well-earned meal and rest.
Day Three and we leave our hotel base for our journey home, visiting Trentham Gardens on our way. Centred round a large lake, the gardens incorporate wooded areas, more formal plantings and a Monkey Forest(?) but first a mile walk alongside the lake is in order, followed by a cup of tea at the South Jetty, where we watched canoists and leisure seekers on board the lake boat. We walked back through the woods which gave much appreciated shade, on through the beautiful prairie planting and bold drifts of colour. The temperature mounted, and the plants in the formal Italian Gardens were as wilted as we were. Only the grasses refused to bend! An ice cream brought welcome relief, as did the air conditioning in the coach after a wander through the log cabins at the Trentham Shopping village. Then we made our way home grateful to Jeff for making our journey so comfortable and to Keith and the committee for all their hard work to make the trip possible
For those with a linguistic bent, here are a few words and phrases in Welsh:-
gardd........................................garden
plant.........................................children
beth sy'mlaen............................ what's on
dewchi i mewn ac edrych..............come in and have a look
cresty.........................................hotel
canol-y-dref.................................town centre
araf.............................................slow
dant-y-coed..................................dental practice
heddlu........................................ police
mynwent.................................... cemetry
diwedd............................... (no, not Dave is married) ... END!
Rotary Spring Fair 2017
The Guild was asked to provide a stall in the children's area of the Spring Fair. As in previous years we decided to let children plant sunflower seeds in coir pots and take them home to transplant into their gardens. We asked them to send in photos of their sunflower later in the year, the tallest would receive a cup to be presented at the Rugby In Bloom evening.
Well over 100 children took part on the day and we now look forward to receiving their entries.
It was a successful event and enjoyed by members. The photograph below shows members manning the stall.
Mark Furber
FIVE GARDENS IN THREE DAYS
Weekend visit to Norfolk
7th to 9 th July 2017
Destination - Mercure Hotel Norwich
Day1 Norfolk- not to far to travel, a county of magnificent houses an gardens, an abundance of wildlife and amazing vistas across the golden cornfields at this time of year - The Granary of England.
So where did we start: Our Royal Families West Norfolk home- SANDRINGHAM ESTATE within the 600 acres of country park sits an impressive house, pretty church and well laid out gardens - no vast opulent beds of showey plants here- a manageable place if you have a large sit-on lawn mower plus a number of knowledgeable gardeners to help. Plenty of green and shaded areas, so welcome on a hot summers day, surrounded by a wonderful collection of trees and shrubs.
On entering the house we received a warm and friendly welcome by the people who obviously enjoyed their time there serving our Royal Family and looking after visitors.
Our base for two nights was the Mercure Hotel on the edge of Norwich; sensibly situated to avoid city traffic.
Day 2 Saturday morning - THE BLICKLING ESTATE (N.T.) 16 miles North of Norwich - a fine Jacobean Mansion flanked by magnificent Yew hedging. Nearly 400 years of history to peruse at leisure. In the house incredibly ornate Jacobean ceilings, a nationally important book collection in the long gallery and impressive works of art- what grandeur and so much more.
55 Acres of Garden -Three centuries of inspired planting and the walled garden- a neglected field turned into a beautiful and productive area similar to the one that supported the estate in 1930's.
After lunch in the cafe we travelled east to EAST RUSTON OLD VICARAGE, only a few miles from the coast and Happisburgh lighthouse North East of Norwich. 32 acres of plantsman paradise. A vast diverse collection of plants- well protected from the North East sea winds.
It is said that every garden should have an element of surprise, this had many hidden away behind high hedges, certaninly a high maintenance plot, continually changing. What vision and knowledge these two plantsmen have, colour, texture, shape and form through the seasons. Quite a few members enjoyed purchasing 'little gems' here. I think I particulary loved the simplistic Summer Meadows, hidden away.
Day 3 Sunday morning - PLANTATION GARDEN a Victorian town garden situated just minutes away next to the Catholic Cathedral in Norwich. A short, narrow, deep vally, different levels forming excellent viewing points and looked after by a small army of volunteers. In 1980 The Plantation Gardens Preservation Trust was set up. The gardens constructed and planted on land originally bequeathed to the citizens of Norwich in 1614 by Sir John Pettus. whose Will demonstrated very clearly his charitable concerns for his fellows citizens. A bequest in his Will setting up the Preachers Money Trust which was to lead eventually and indirectly to the creation of the garden that we see now, loved by locals,visitors and wildlife. He believed that Norwich citizens should have the benefit of listening to sermons for their spritual nourishment. I am sure that these gardens benefit folk just as much if not more. The Cathedral with its own garden is worth a visit
HOMEWARD NOW -Approximately 1 1/2 hours later we arrived at CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY BOTANIC GARDENS for lunch. What a fabulous finale to a wonderful weekend. A beautiful 40 acre landscape ; the vision of a professor of Botany and mentor to Charles Darwin - Prof.John Stevens Henslow. He believed the gardens should be for the experimental study of plants themselves rather than simply a physics garden for medical students. Opened in 1846 it has been a focus and stimulus for research in the University ever since. Over 8000 species from around the world live here. I would recommend one of the free tours offered; our volunteer guide had a passion for trees, this garden houses the best collection in the region.
Thank you Keith and our committee for planning and organising this weekend. Just a taster for me, I would love to re-visit these incredible places.
I look forward to our 2018 North Wales weekend. Please order lots of sunshine with a little less heat
SUE DIXON
WEEKEND VISIT TO SOUTHERN LAKE DISTRICT-
1st to 3rd July 2016
Destination:-The Cumbria Grand Hotel, Grange- over- Sands.
Friday - An eager group of 46 members and friends travelled safely to our first garden visit. This was at Chris Mortimer's garden at Salmesbury Bottoms near Preston. On arrival we were made most welcome with hot drinks and cream scones. Rain threatened, however Chris's infectious enthusiasm encouraged us all to venture on. This highly unusual garden is in a league of its own with both house and garden making the most of the River Darwen (the site was formally that of an old industrial mill). Varying levels hewn out of rock lush with vegetation. Surprises around every corner; quirky hand-crafted sculptures and artefacts, seating areas and even a wood and rope suspension bridge over the river. All this from the imagination of its extremely talented and hard working creator. A light snack was expected for lunch - yet another surprise - homemade quiches with a variety of tasty salad dishes served buffet style, undercover thankfully as the expected rain had arrived in force. Despite the wet we explored further after lunch. I particularly enjoyed the wildness of this garden, no manicured lawns here! Both exciting and intrigueing with a wide variety of plants spilling out everywhere. So special thanks to Chris, his wife and team of helpers.
Saturday - A very full day - A visit to Stott Park Bobbin Mill near the bottom end of Lake Windermere - An English Heritage site where wooden bobbins were once crafted by the thousands; all shapes and sizes to supply the great Lancashire cotton mills. This mill is the only one of its kind remaining. Situated amongst mixed woodland, the trees here were coppiced annually, the wood sawed into lengths and stacked upright for the sap to run out. These dried out lengths were cut, bored and shaped. The Tour Guide demonstrated this using the specialist machinery; an excellent and informative visit with very good guides
Next came Holker Hall & Gardens near Cark-in-Cartmel where we had lunch before enjoying the delights awaiting us. A Cavendish home; the gardens merging into parkland with wonderful vistas that reached out to the Lakeland fells beyond across wild flower meadows and groups of rare Manil fallow deer in the distance. Truly magnificant ancient trees and shrubs also a spectacular cascade with pockets of more formal gardens for us to explore. So many areas to explore.
Finally a sunny, breezy walk for some who got off the coach in Grange and walked back to the hotel along the promenade by the estuary on the edge of Morecambe Bay. An impressive,, well-planted herbaceous border lined the way.
We were well looked after by The Cumbria Grand and meals were good and always pleasantly served. Even the two noisey peacocks - guarding us through the night - didn't keep me awake for very long.
Sunday - Homeward bound. We called in at a wonderful award winning garden centre, Barton Grange near Brock (just off the A6 or M6) Something for everyone and an excellent break on, thankfully, an uneventful journey home via Biddulph Grange, Staffordshire. It was warm and sunny and this National Trust Victorian garden which was the creation of notable plant collector James Bateman and friends consists of a number of garden rooms with plant collections reflecting places around the World. Fun to explore with its rocky tunnels and walkways, maze of hedges and the oldest stumpery in the country and "oooh" local "Snugberry" icecream.
On behalf of us all a huge thank-you to Geoff our driver for delivering us safely home - always amicable and helpful - and of course our hard working committee members. Overall a highly successful weekend in the company of a great group of people.
Regards to all - Sue Dixon
SEPTEMBER 2014 MEETING DARREN RUDGE ; HANGING BASKETS
At the September meeting Darren gave an excellent talk on hanging baskets. After demonstrating how to put a basket together he donated the result for the raffle. This was won by Susan Davenport who has sent the picture below of the basket in position.
OCTOBER 2014 MEETING "GREEN DREAMS" CHRIS MORTIMER
The audience appreciating an earlier talk.
Chris addressing the guild
Work in progress on the retaining wall.
Green Dreams
The October meeting of the guild was addressed by Chris Mortimer from Salmesbury Bottoms near Preston.
In the 70’s Chris had purchased an old industrial mill which was in a very sad state of repair. The property became Mill Barn. Once he had developed some accommodation he turned to establishing a garden.
The property ran along the side of a tributary of the Ribble which became one of the main features. Chris showed us, via a series of slides, how the garden developed over the years. Not only were plants a feature but he also constructed a number of garden objects including a temple, a large tower across the river and of course a suspension bridge to cross-over the, at times, raging torrent.
The garden was opened under the National Gardens Scheme and also he held a series of Art in the Garden events.
The guild was fascinated by his talk and amazed at the construction and stone moving that had been involved.
Mark Furber
NOVEMBER 2014 MEETING: NICK HAMILTON:BARNSDALE - THE TELEVISION YEARS
KEITH AND NICK DISCUSS THE MEETING
THE GUILD EAGERLY AWAITS NICK'S TALK
BARNSDALE 1 AFTER THE FIRST YEAR
GEOFF AND HIS BRIDGE ACROSS THE RAISED BEDS
GUILD MEMBERS PURCHASE PLANTS AND VIDEOS FROM NICK
THIS IS HOW I WOULD DO IT
WELCOME REFRESHMENT
Nick Hamilton
The November meeting of the Guild featured Nick Hamilton talking about his father, Geoff, and the television years. Nick attracted a large audience with well over 100 attending, including more than 20 guests.
Nick gave a fascinating account of how his father had got involved with the BBC and Gardner’s World. Geoff had been editing Practical Gardening which brought him to the attention of the BBC editor. It developed with Geoff wanting to do more and the BBC very keen to get him to do more.
We were shown various features of the Barnsdale Garden, including the raised beds and Geoff’s bridge that he used to get across them. Indeed all of Geoff’s constructions were made from re-used or surplus materials and invariably were heavy and robust.
The move from the old to the new Barnsdale was explained in some detail, with the use of the new techniques for moving mature trees.
Nick was a most entertaining speaker and the Guild would have been pleased if he had gone on for a lot longer and perhaps have been able to answer some questions.
Mark Furber
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