Wreath Making/Clemley House/Garden Trail/WI Garden Party/Bluebell Cottage/Tirley Garth/Cholmondeley Castle
CHRISTMAS WREATH-MAKING 17th November 2021
This afternoon a large group of us met up in the Lounge at St. Philips, many of us carrying vast amounts of greenery from our gardens. We met George, a neighbour of our President Dorothy, who supplied everyone with a metal ring, some wire and some very wet moss. She then taught us how to turn those unpromising ingredients into the basis of a luxurious and totally individual wreath to hang on our front doors. The results varied in size and content but they were all original and different, some using dried flowers from the garden, others festooned with berries, cones and flowers still in bloom, and all glossy and green with the materials foraged from our gardens.
A couple of hours slipped by, helped a little by the addition of mince pies and mulled wine, after which we were able to take our wreaths home. But not before a massive cleaning effort had taken place - no picture could do justice to the amount of mess wet moss added to just about anything can create! So the photos below only show the creative bits of the afternoon, just in case we ever need to hire the Lounge again!
Many thanks to Dorothy for arranging the event (and the mince pies and Mulled wine) and to George for helping some total beginners create something artistic in a very short time. We had a lovely afternoon!
This afternoon a large group of us met up in the Lounge at St. Philips, many of us carrying vast amounts of greenery from our gardens. We met George, a neighbour of our President Dorothy, who supplied everyone with a metal ring, some wire and some very wet moss. She then taught us how to turn those unpromising ingredients into the basis of a luxurious and totally individual wreath to hang on our front doors. The results varied in size and content but they were all original and different, some using dried flowers from the garden, others festooned with berries, cones and flowers still in bloom, and all glossy and green with the materials foraged from our gardens.
A couple of hours slipped by, helped a little by the addition of mince pies and mulled wine, after which we were able to take our wreaths home. But not before a massive cleaning effort had taken place - no picture could do justice to the amount of mess wet moss added to just about anything can create! So the photos below only show the creative bits of the afternoon, just in case we ever need to hire the Lounge again!
Many thanks to Dorothy for arranging the event (and the mince pies and Mulled wine) and to George for helping some total beginners create something artistic in a very short time. We had a lovely afternoon!
CLEMLEY HOUSE GARDEN VISIT, September 22nd 2021
This afternoon about 15 of our members visited Clemley House Gardens in Duddon in beautiful sunshine. The nationally recognised garden is the work of Sue and Tom Makin. Sue explained to us that about 13 years ago they set to work to establish their 2 acre cottage garden using fully organic, wildlife supporting methods. Sue pointed out that all the berries, hips and seed heads are left to feed the birds and insects. Compost heaps are left alone and they are great believers in a no-dig method of gardening using a layer strulch, a special wheat straw. Weeds have to earn their keep by feeding the insects and birds too! We were interested as well to hear how Sue and Tom had established an amphibian roadway to help the frogs and toads cross to their ponds in spring!
Although there is not much colour in the garden at the moment, as we began meandering along the grassy path round the garden, we were met by a beautiful bush of bright red guelder rose berries and surprises at every corner. We passed an orchard, 3 wildlife ponds, a perennial wildflower meadow and fruit and vegetable areas. There was also a barn owl box, many other nests and bat boxes to discover along with a bug hotel. We saw a foxes' den and were delighted by the smart furnished shepherd's hut. We all loved the summer house and the grandchildren's play area and brightly painted house with it's fully equipped kitchen! Apparently Alan Titchmarsh had loved the witches' den he discovered hidden away when he visited.
Like all good WI visits there was tea and biscuits at the end in the more formal garden to round off a very enjoyable afternoon. Sue and Tom's gardening methods certainly gave us some food for thought and they have to be congratulated on what they have achieved with hard work and much enthusiasm.
Words: Audrey. Photos: Marie & Fiona
This afternoon about 15 of our members visited Clemley House Gardens in Duddon in beautiful sunshine. The nationally recognised garden is the work of Sue and Tom Makin. Sue explained to us that about 13 years ago they set to work to establish their 2 acre cottage garden using fully organic, wildlife supporting methods. Sue pointed out that all the berries, hips and seed heads are left to feed the birds and insects. Compost heaps are left alone and they are great believers in a no-dig method of gardening using a layer strulch, a special wheat straw. Weeds have to earn their keep by feeding the insects and birds too! We were interested as well to hear how Sue and Tom had established an amphibian roadway to help the frogs and toads cross to their ponds in spring!
Although there is not much colour in the garden at the moment, as we began meandering along the grassy path round the garden, we were met by a beautiful bush of bright red guelder rose berries and surprises at every corner. We passed an orchard, 3 wildlife ponds, a perennial wildflower meadow and fruit and vegetable areas. There was also a barn owl box, many other nests and bat boxes to discover along with a bug hotel. We saw a foxes' den and were delighted by the smart furnished shepherd's hut. We all loved the summer house and the grandchildren's play area and brightly painted house with it's fully equipped kitchen! Apparently Alan Titchmarsh had loved the witches' den he discovered hidden away when he visited.
Like all good WI visits there was tea and biscuits at the end in the more formal garden to round off a very enjoyable afternoon. Sue and Tom's gardening methods certainly gave us some food for thought and they have to be congratulated on what they have achieved with hard work and much enthusiasm.
Words: Audrey. Photos: Marie & Fiona
SEPTEMBER MONTHLY MEETING - GARDEN TRAIL AFTERNOON,
Wednesday 1st September 2 pm - 4 pm.
Today 31 members took part in a Garden Trail; we visited five inspiring gardens within the village in small groups and finally joined together in Barbara's garden for light refreshments. Thanks go to Marie, Dot, Joan and Jane for letting us visit their lovely gardens and to Barbara for opening her garden and hosting us at the end.
The Garden Trail is just one event we planned to link in with the Great Big Green Week 18th-26th September. As we went round the gardens our hosts pointed out ways in which their gardens are eco-friendly and encourage wildlife: for example using water butts, bug hotels, ponds, wild areas, bird tables and specific plants that attract pollinators. This made for an interesting afternoon because as well as admiring the beautiful plants and shrubs, it encouraged us all to think "green".
Our next "green" event is on Wednesday 22nd September when we visit Clemley House, a wildlife friendly and award winning cottage garden.
On 26th September the CFWI Climate Change Ambassadors are holding an event in Delamere Forest Visitors Centre to raise awareness of climate change. There will be lots of environmentally friendly things to do for all the family!
Words Avril, Photos Avril and Fiona
Wednesday 1st September 2 pm - 4 pm.
Today 31 members took part in a Garden Trail; we visited five inspiring gardens within the village in small groups and finally joined together in Barbara's garden for light refreshments. Thanks go to Marie, Dot, Joan and Jane for letting us visit their lovely gardens and to Barbara for opening her garden and hosting us at the end.
The Garden Trail is just one event we planned to link in with the Great Big Green Week 18th-26th September. As we went round the gardens our hosts pointed out ways in which their gardens are eco-friendly and encourage wildlife: for example using water butts, bug hotels, ponds, wild areas, bird tables and specific plants that attract pollinators. This made for an interesting afternoon because as well as admiring the beautiful plants and shrubs, it encouraged us all to think "green".
Our next "green" event is on Wednesday 22nd September when we visit Clemley House, a wildlife friendly and award winning cottage garden.
On 26th September the CFWI Climate Change Ambassadors are holding an event in Delamere Forest Visitors Centre to raise awareness of climate change. There will be lots of environmentally friendly things to do for all the family!
Words Avril, Photos Avril and Fiona
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The W.I. GARDEN PARTY 4th August 2021
We met up on a glorious Wednesday afternoon in Fiona's garden for the first large meeting we have had since the lockdown began in March 2020. It was lovely to see Evelyn and Sandra who are soon to leave the village after years in Kelsall WI. The weather couldn't have been better and all the umbrellas were up to make the most of the shade. The committee did amazing work to keep everyone fed and watered - and Prosecco-d too! There was a mocktail for those driving, and the food provided by the members was delicious. The coffee and walnut cake was difficult to eat without cutlery - but was totally worth the mess and embarrassment! The sky darkened as the afternoon drew to a close but the rain held off until everyone had gone home; what a lucky day! Very many thanks to those who brought lovely food, lent tables and chairs, and to the Committee for all their hard work serving and clearing up. And thanks to Fiona for lending us her garden. Here are some photos to mark the day. Words and photos: Fiona |
VISIT TO BLUEBELL COTTAGE, 29th July 2021
Bluebell Cottage Garden is owned and managed by former BBC Gardener of the Year Sue Beesley; her energy, enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of plants have contributed to her becoming one of the leading lights in the development of the Royal Horticultural Society's new garden at Bridgewater. Sue showed 16 of us round her own garden, which was full of design ideas and a wide range of plants that grow happily in our North West climate. Her plants were all well grown and many will continue to be beautiful through the autumn and winter. Sue and her team of gardeners are always ready to develop new ideas and to share their knowledge and expertise. We came away inspired and with a variety of plants from the nursery as well as new ideas to try at home. Many thanks go to Pat for organising this enjoyable visit.
Words: Jane/Photos: Pat and Avril.
Bluebell Cottage Garden is owned and managed by former BBC Gardener of the Year Sue Beesley; her energy, enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of plants have contributed to her becoming one of the leading lights in the development of the Royal Horticultural Society's new garden at Bridgewater. Sue showed 16 of us round her own garden, which was full of design ideas and a wide range of plants that grow happily in our North West climate. Her plants were all well grown and many will continue to be beautiful through the autumn and winter. Sue and her team of gardeners are always ready to develop new ideas and to share their knowledge and expertise. We came away inspired and with a variety of plants from the nursery as well as new ideas to try at home. Many thanks go to Pat for organising this enjoyable visit.
Words: Jane/Photos: Pat and Avril.
INVITATION TO VISIT TIRLEY GARTH GARDENS
25th May 2021
Once again Pat has organised an outing for Kelsall WI, this time primarily for the Walking Group. On Tuesday instead of just a normal walk, Pat had permission from the owner of Tirley Garth for us to walk through the gardens, which were at their seasonal best with rhododendrons and azaleas in full bloom. At 9.30 am in slightly threatening weather the walkers set off from Willington Corner, up to Kings Gate and via the Sandstone Trail (Summertrees) to Tirley Lane. We reached the top gate into Tirley Garth just before 11am where we met with several others who were dropped off to join our walk through the gardens, arriving just as Mike the Head Gardener roared up on his garden buggy. Having handed over our donations to St. Luke's Hospice as agreed, Mike gave us maps of the garden with some hints about the best routes.
The garden covers 40 acres and was designed by Thomas Mawson in the Edwardian period when the house was built in the Arts and Crafts style. It was in full bloom and we had it all to ourselves. And the rain held off too so we enjoyed a downhill walk to the viewpoint behind the greenhouses; the trees have obviously grown in recent years so the view was not as amazing as it once was. Once at the bottom gate we turned back along the bluebell-carpeted Valley Walk, passing the Well with it's lovely views over the Lower Pond, and onto the Water Clock, a 20th century addition to the gardens. The bluebells were quite a topic of conversation as we were on the look out for the invasive Spanish variety which are threatening to push our own native bluebells into extinction. We exited by the lower gate onto John Street and walked back to Willington Corner where we had left our cars.
Thank you Pat for an interesting extension to our walk.
Photos: Pat and Fiona
VISIT TO COLMONDELEY CASTLE GARDENS
Pat had very kindly organised this visit which took place on Wednesday 19th May and as it was our first visit anywhere for a very long time we were all very keen to go! 18 of us arrived in the car parking area - actually just a field! - while the dark clouds gathered overhead and as we made our way up the hill towards the castle it started to spit with rain. Pat had booked a guided walk with the Head Gardener Barry Grain and by the time we arrived outside the cafe where we were to meet him, the skies had opened and it was pouring. We sheltered as best we could while Barry gave us a brief history of the family and the castle, concentrating on the more recent history of the garden. The late Dowager Marchioness Lavinia Cholmondley died in 2015 but although by then in her 90's she maintained her intense interest in the development of the garden and worked with Barry to improve existing areas and create new ones. Her abilities as a plants woman were second to none and that can be seen in the design and suitability of the garden as a whole and in it's different parts. By now the sun had come out and we had a very interesting walk round the garden with Barry while he imparted his knowledge about the plants and told us how some of these areas had been changed over time, as well as what we could look forward to seeing in the future.
After our sunny and colourful walk we were glad to find the cafe had some lovely cakes on offer and we made sure we tried some of them. Some, who shall remain nameless, indulged in a full afternoon tea!
Photos: Pat and Fiona
A BIG THANK YOU TO ANNE AND JILL
At the end of 2020, which has been such a difficult year, we thanked Anne and Jill for making our website so vibrant and interesting over the last 10 years. Dorothy our President, presented them both with a gift to express our thanks.
