Tag: gardeners

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Top Ten Trees of Colchester

… is the speakers topic when Ian Baalham visits the West Bergholt Gardeners Association meeting on Monday 19th September (7:30pm) in the Orpen Hall.

The talk will be followed by the Annual general Meeting. The Association looks forward to welcoming back present members as well as newcomers and visitors. Annual subscription is only £9; visitor entry £3. The association offers a varied programme throughout the year including trips to national and local gardens.

DIG TOGETHER DAY Growing as a Community

Please note that this event (as publicised in the village bulletin for 24 September) is postponed until Spring 2012.

For further information about the organisation please contact Terry Claydon 01206 242124 – [email protected] or Valerie Lofthouse 01206 855450 – [email protected]

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Gardening – Beeleigh Update

Beeleigh Abbey Gardens

An historical and peaceful retreat of three acres of riverside gardens in a delightful setting dating from the 13th century was enjoyed by 32 members of teh west Bergholt Gardeners Association on their July evening visit to Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon.  The original abbey was founded in 1180 for white robed canons of the strict Premonstratensian order.  The energetic commitment to Beeleigh by the owners and their staff was reflected in the splendid show of English old roses; mixed borders; cottage garden; wild flower meadow; river walk; vegetable and fruit production and water features.

Interested in visiting the gardens? They are next open on 8 & 22 July; 5 & 19 August and 2 & 30 September 10.30am to 4.30pm – entry £4. Refreshments available/ free parking. Information available on http://visitmaldon.co.uk/beeleigh-abbey/ – telephone: 07779 223321.

For details on the Gardener’s Association’s meetings and outings contact Valerie Lofthouse, Chair: tel. 01206 855450 – [email protected] or Terry Claydon, Treasurer: tel. 01206 242124 – [email protected].

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Gardening update

The West Bergholt Gardeners’ Association thanks everyone for supporting their April Plant Sale. From funds raised they are donating to two village organisations and Essex Air Ambulance. Next year’s sale will be on 21 May 2012.

Natalie Finch delighted her audience in a virtual tour of her garden of roses at the Association’s May meeting. Members shared her knowledge, passion and romanticised in a journey of beauty and colour landscaped by old English roses.

Wickham Place Farm Gardens

A leisurely stroll in Wickham Place Farm ancient walled gardens, dating from 1706 and 14 acres of woodland was enjoyed by members this week. Theirr admission costs were donated by the owner to charities supported by the National Garden Scheme.

All seats are sold for the trip in June to East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens.

Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon will be visited on Tuesday 5 July at 7.00pm. Three acres of riverside gardens in a picturesque and historic setting dating from the 13th century.

Growing as a Community is this year’s theme for RHS’s Dig Together Day in September. The Gardeners’ Association will undertake to improve an authorised public area in the village. Updates and publicity on this project will follow.

Top Ten Trees of Colchester is the topic of speaker Ian Baalham at the Association’s AGM on 19 September.

For details on our meetings and activities contact the Chair – [email protected] or the Treasurer – [email protected].

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Wildlife & Summer Gardens

‘The Wildlife Man’ – Barry Kaufmann-Wright, delighted his audience at the March meeting. He spoke in depth on ‘Wildlife in the Garden’ punctuated with humorous anecdotes and experiences drawn from his long career as an Essex Wildlife Crime Officer. After his presentation of slides on both the friendly and the lesser welcomed garden visitors, members took the opportunity to purchase greetings cards and books by Barry, including his autobiography.

Next month is our ANNUAL PLANT SALE on Monday 18 April at 7.30pm. Arrive early at the Orpen Hall to bag the bargain plants and garden bric-à-brac items. Any donations would be gratefully received at the hall at 5.00pm on the sale day.

Wickham Place Farm Gardens

Join us on our summer outings to:

  • Wickham Place Farm Gardens, Wickham Bishops on Wednesday 18 May at 2.30pm. 14 acre site featuring 2 acre walled garden and large mixed woodland. Renowned for wisterias.
  • East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens on Wednesday 15 June at 2.00pm. Remarkable 32 acre garden incorporating formal design, enormous decorative exuberance and brilliant planting.
    • Beeleigh Abbey Gardens
  • Beeleigh Abbey Gardens, Maldon on Tuesday 5 July at 7.00pm. Three acres of riverside gardens in a picturesque and historic setting dating from the 13th century.

For details on our meetings and outings contact the Chair – [email protected] or the Treasurer – [email protected].

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Wildlife in the garden…

…is the topic of the next West Bergholt Gardeners’ Association meeting. Members enjoyed learning tips on ‘Garden and Planting Design’ when Hilary Thomas, Garden Designer, Lecturer and Writer spoke at last week’s meeting. Hilary’s book The Complete Planting Design Course highlights ideas for the garden in creating planting schemes for every colour, season, purpose and area. It is essential reading for every would-be garden designer or for anyone who wants to make a difference to their outside space. And it’s available from most bookstores and online – http://www.hilarythomasdesign.co.uk/

The next meeting will be held on Monday 21 March, when Barry Kaufmann-Wright will present on ‘Wildlife in the Garden’. See further information on Barry’s career and consultancy profile on his website – http://www.thewildlifeman.com/

For details on our organisation contact the Chair – [email protected] or the Treasurer – [email protected]. Meetings are held at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Spring is in sight…

February is when many gardeners begin the new growing year. Sowing seeds and seeing tiny green shoots appear is a perennial thrill.

But are you considering the design or redesign of your garden?
 
Come along to the February meeting of the West Bergholt Gardeners’ Association on Monday the 21st at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall.  Hilary Thomas, Garden Designer, Lecturer, Writer will give a digital presentation on ‘Garden and Planting Design’.  Visitors are always welcome; £3 entry.

If you love snowdrops (Galanthus) there are ample opportunities to visit magnificent displays in our region. Among some of the best are:

RHS FREE DAY – FRIDAY 4 MARCH
 
Experience any of the RHS’s four gardens for FREE. Our local Hyde Hall Garden at Rettendon opens its gates from 10am – 3pm when gardening staff will be on hand to offer advice on seasonal tasks. www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Hyde-Hall.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Getting acquainted with fungi

– is the subject Ian Rose delighted his audience with at the Gardeners’ Association November meeting. Ian is a well established mycologist who has led and participated in numerous fungi forays across the British Isles. His talk was illustrated with a selection of slides featuring fungi in its many guises of colour, shape, and size. Location and smell, and importantly whether it was edible or poisonous were also useful facts noted. His extensive collection of pictures covered fungi ranging in form from ‘dry rot’ to the much prized ‘chanterelle’. Pictured right is the Cantharellus cibarius Chanterelle.

A day outing to East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden, Norfolk – http://www.e-ruston-oldvicaragegardens.co.uk – has been planned for 15 June 2011, stopping off en route at Taverham Garden Centre. Cost £18.50 for coach and entry. Members and non-members are urged to book early so as not to be disappointed. Further information obtainable from the Treasurer at [email protected]

At the next meeting on Monday 13 December at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall members will welcome Maureen Sayer, a local florist, who will demonstrate on creating festive decorations using natural materials from the garden. A fork buffet will be served at a cost of £2.50 to each member. New members are welcome to join the Association at the December meeting.

Joining our organisation is easy and inexpensive. Membership subscription is value for money at only £8 per year. The Chair, Valerie Lofthouse, can be reached on 01206 855450 or [email protected] for details on the Gardeners’ Association.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Is ‘Jenny Wren’ visiting your garden?

… was one of the questions members were asked at the October meeting of the West Bergholt Gardeners’ Association. Mike Logan-Wood, RSPB Lead for Chelmsford and Central Essex told his audience that UK’s shortest bird’s scientific name means ‘cave dweller’. Although difficult to attract to bird tables, the wren can be seen in the garden foraging in or close to cover. They are more insectivorous than most other garden birds.

The speaker entertained members with his amusing and informative account, illustrated with slides, on the ‘secret lives of garden birds’ including the robin, sparrow, starling, blackbird, song thrush and dunnock.

A day outing to East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden, Norfolk has been planned for 15 June 2011, stopping off on route at Taverham Garden Centre. Cost £18.50 for coach and entry. Members and non-members were urged to book early so as not to be disappointed. Further information obtainable from the Treasurer at [email protected]

Ian Rose will be addressing members at the next meeting on 15 November at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall. He will present on ‘Fungi – edible and otherwise’, Visitors are also very welcome to attend; entry £3.

A ‘fungi forage’ in Hillhouse Wood led by Ian Rose, will take place on 4 November. This is organised by the Friends of Hillhouse Wood. For further information [email protected] or 01206 241684.

Joining our organisation is easy and inexpensive. Membership subscription is value for money at only £8 per year. The Chair, Valerie Lofthouse, can be reached on 01206 855450 or [email protected] for details on the Gardeners’ Association.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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So where is ratty?

… seemingly alive and well on the River Colne!

West Bergholt Gardeners’ Association members shared the passion of Darren Tansley, Essex Wildlife Trust, in ‘The Search for Ratty’ when they learnt about his project on water vole restoration to the stretch of the River Colne between West Bergholt and Chappel. Darren’s presentation was followed by the Annual General Meeting when eight committee members were elected. This was the first meeting of the 2010-2011 programme of speakers and activities.

A day outing to East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden, Norfolk has been planned for 15 June 2011, stopping off on route at Taverham Garden Centre. Members and non-members were urged to book early so as not to be disappointed. Further information obtainable from the Treasurer at [email protected]


Mike Logan-Wood, Leader of the RSPB Chelmsford and Central Essex Group, will be addressing members at the next meeting on 18 October at 7.30 in the Orpen Hall. He will present on ‘Secret Lives of Garden Birds’. Visitors are also very welcome to attend.

Joining our organisation is easy and inexpensive. Membership subscription is value for money at only £8 per year. The Chair, Valerie Lofthouse, can be reached on 01206 855450 or [email protected] for details on the Gardeners’ Association.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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Gardeners’ travels

The West Bergholt Gardeners Association have been getting out & about with 4 summer visits recently. The first in May, to the flagship RHS garden at Wisley, provided the opportunity to appreciate the huge diverse plant collection.

In June a party visited Olivers Gardens (the lake pictured right), Colchester for the National Gardens Scheme. Philip Morant’s description of the garden in his 18th Century ‘History of Essex’ was considered to be as apt today by the owner. A garden tour culminated in refreshments on the terrace.

Also in June members visited Cants of Colchester Rose Field. As Britain’s leading rose specialist, members received professional advice on propagation, maintenance and rose types. Splendid displays of colour and fragrances were most appreciated.

On a July evening Kings Seeds, Kelvedon, a leading supplier of vegetable, flower, herb and Sweet Pea seed since 1888, welcomed members. Our host informed us on his company’s interesting history and stages of seed production during a conducted tour.

Next meeting is on 20 September at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall. To find out more about the association visit the village website at http://www.westbergholt.net/gardeners.htm.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net
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