Day 100 of (flexible) Lockdown – the ‘Ton-up’ edition

Day 100 of (flexible) Lockdown

On Day 100 of lockdown Colchester Borough Council looks at launching a Garden Club. Meanwhile not to be outdone, Essex are launching:

… and we end with a bit of fun

Doing the Ton.

Another news short – Colchester Zoo will be opening indoor & play areas from Saturday 4th July.

New Garden Waste Options

Proposals for a new options-based garden waste service are being published by Colchester Borough Council. Councillors will Continue reading “Day 100 of (flexible) Lockdown – the ‘Ton-up’ edition”

June 8, 2020June 8, 2020

Day 77 of (where is) Lockdown – the Gardeners edition

Day 77 of (where is?) Lockdown

On day 77 we start off with items of interest to gardeners and then quite a few more news items:

National Garden Scheme reopens,
Stay at Home, Grown your own scheme – get a starter kit,
Today is the beginning of Carers Week,
Update on the work of the NHS Volunteer Responders,
How to get new recycling boxes & caddies,
Essex Police enhance online services offering, and
The Good Life – gardening in mud.

National Garden Scheme reopens

The National Garden Scheme has just started opening gardens. You have to book a timed entry online (and pay Continue reading “Day 77 of (where is) Lockdown – the Gardeners edition”

May 20, 2020May 20, 2020

Day 58 of (is it?) Lockdown – the Life in Lockdown edition

Day 58 of (is it?) Lockdown

On day 58 we get the chance to finish what we started on day 57; the Essex Life in Lockdown article inviting you to share your lockdown story. After that:

Consultation on Police Priorities,
Mental health awareness week,
- Mental health & wellbeing courses,
- Children’s Mental Health,
Garden Waste Collections,
Environment & Highways Meeting,
ECC COVID-19 Financial Impact,
As usual, some light relief.

The People of Essex – share your stories

The Research and Citizen Insight team at Essex County Council are reaching out to residents of Essex to hear their experiences and share stories of what it has been like for you during this extremely challenging time. How has COVID-19 and the lockdown has impacted your life, how you’ve been getting on, how you have managed to stay connected with friends, family and your community and how you’ve been feeling throughout the lockdown period? Continue reading “Day 58 of (is it?) Lockdown – the Life in Lockdown edition”

August 15, 2019September 6, 2021

Gardeners’ Summer Visits

The Gardeners’ summer visits this year started after their 2018/19 programme of talks came to a conclusion. They were particularly happy that the weather remained on their side.

Shrubs Farm

In June, a group went on a self-drive trip to Shrubs Farm in Lamarsh, a garden in the National Garden Scheme. The owners, Robert & Sara Erith have lived at the farm since 1966. The farm has superb views over the Stour Valley. Members were given an entertaining and informative tour of the garden, parkland and ancient woodland by the owner. Robert explained the planning and ethos behind the beautiful planting and vistas.

January 16, 2019January 16, 2019

Trees for Years 2019

Red Stem Dogwood, available in Trees for Years 2016

Trees for Years 2019

Colchester Borough Council is giving residents and groups who’d like to green-up their gardens a helping hand, with its annual ‘Trees for Years’ giveaway on Saturday, 2 February. Turn up at Rowan House, 33 Sheepen Road between 10 am – 1 pm and you can take home up to 3 plants per resident (or 15 per school/community group or parish council). Arrive Continue reading “Trees for Years 2019”

November 21, 2018November 22, 2018

Wild Flowers of Essex

Wild Flowers of Essex

West Bergholt Gardeners recently enjoyed an interesting talk by Dr. Chris Gibson about “Wild Flowers of Essex”. Chris drew on his 30+ year career as a nature conservationist, working to preserve Essex wildlife and landscapes. The Gardeners learnt about the large areas of ancient woodland around the county (which includes Hillhouse Wood) and the flowers and plants which flourish there.

Threats to Wild Flowers

Continue reading “Wild Flowers of Essex”

October 23, 2018November 21, 2018

Food For Thought

Food For Thought

West Bergholt Gardeners certainly got food for thought at their recent meeting on 15th October. Stuart Gough from The Oak Tree Low Carbon Farm described the green ethos of the group.

The Oak Tree group aims to lessen their Continue reading “Food For Thought”

October 9, 2018

Farm, Food & People

“Farm, Food & People” is Stuart Gough’s topic at the next Gardeners’ Association meeting on 15th October. Stuart is from The Oak Tree Low Carbon Farm which is a Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) Scheme. CSAs bring farms and local communities closer together to provide mutual benefits and reconnect people to the land where their food is grown. Continue reading “Farm, Food & People”

May 29, 2018May 29, 2018

Open Gardens 2018

The Open Gardens 2018 event is on 1st July with over 20 gardens (see below) and the allotments being open from 11 am to 5.30 pm. Some gardens and the church halls will be selling refreshments and there will be local artists exhibiting. Morris Dancers will perform at two gardens and “Quire” will be singing songs from around the world at Continue reading “Open Gardens 2018”

November 19, 2017

Gardens in British Art follows Pakistan Perspective

A typical Garden in Art from 19th Century — Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargeant, 1885

Gardens in British Art

The most recent WEA course, Perspectives of Pakistan, is coming to an end and has been well received, read about it below. The new year sees a new course starting led by Sue Pownall. It will address “Art Appreciation: Gardens in British Art in the 19th & 20th Centuries.”

This course explores how gardens have been Continue reading “Gardens in British Art follows Pakistan Perspective”