GALLERY OF EVENTS 2022
VISIT TO WOLLERTON OLD HALL GARDEN June 29th 2022
Wollerton Old Hall was built in 1530 and was the childhood home of Lesley Jenkins, who now lives there with her husband John, having moved back into the house in 1983. John himself gave us an entertaining introduction to Wollerton and the way in which they came to be there; where the garden is now was simply a field when they arrived and they have spent 40 years transforming it into the quintessential English Garden. Lesley designed the garden with 3 east-west and 3 north-south vistas, resulting in a collection of "rooms", each with their own character and style.
We had booked lunch in the tea room so after a brief look around we gathered there for a bowl of tasty soup and bread. The food served in the tea room is home made and locally sourced. It's a pretty building and we ended up there again later in the afternoon when our tour of the garden was over.
Andy Goodwater is the Head Gardener and he was a mine of information about the history and planting as he led us round the garden after lunch. As you can see from the photographs below, in the summer it is a spectacular sight; Andy enthusiastically recommended we come again in all seasons as it changes dramatically with each one. In summer they specialise in roses and salvias, and the blue delphiniums were amazing pillars of colour.
After a welcome cup of tea and another look round the garden and the plant sales area, it was nearly time for the coach to arrive. However it was also time for the black clouds which had been approaching for some time to open; the rain was torrential for quite a while and we were grateful for the trees along the drive! At last the coach arrived and we managed to steam it up very quickly as we hustled aboard. It's only a 50 minute drive back to Kelsall so perhaps a visit in each season is not a bad idea! Many thanks to Pat S for arranging such an interesting visit.
Words: Fiona Photos: Marie and Fiona
Wollerton Old Hall was built in 1530 and was the childhood home of Lesley Jenkins, who now lives there with her husband John, having moved back into the house in 1983. John himself gave us an entertaining introduction to Wollerton and the way in which they came to be there; where the garden is now was simply a field when they arrived and they have spent 40 years transforming it into the quintessential English Garden. Lesley designed the garden with 3 east-west and 3 north-south vistas, resulting in a collection of "rooms", each with their own character and style.
We had booked lunch in the tea room so after a brief look around we gathered there for a bowl of tasty soup and bread. The food served in the tea room is home made and locally sourced. It's a pretty building and we ended up there again later in the afternoon when our tour of the garden was over.
Andy Goodwater is the Head Gardener and he was a mine of information about the history and planting as he led us round the garden after lunch. As you can see from the photographs below, in the summer it is a spectacular sight; Andy enthusiastically recommended we come again in all seasons as it changes dramatically with each one. In summer they specialise in roses and salvias, and the blue delphiniums were amazing pillars of colour.
After a welcome cup of tea and another look round the garden and the plant sales area, it was nearly time for the coach to arrive. However it was also time for the black clouds which had been approaching for some time to open; the rain was torrential for quite a while and we were grateful for the trees along the drive! At last the coach arrived and we managed to steam it up very quickly as we hustled aboard. It's only a 50 minute drive back to Kelsall so perhaps a visit in each season is not a bad idea! Many thanks to Pat S for arranging such an interesting visit.
Words: Fiona Photos: Marie and Fiona
THE ROYAL CHESHIRE COUNTY SHOW. June 21st/22nd 2022
Once again Kelsall WI had a very successful Cheshire Show. The Group Entry was entitled "Plant a Tree for the Jubilee" and achieved a Highly Commended. Seven ladies contributes to this entry in various ways; Cathy Peel donated the oak tree, which Mary Diggle bonsaid; she also helped with the staging. The other group members were Judy Blair, Margaret Davies, Mary Gaskath, Marion Haddow, and Pat Symms. These five ladies were also all placed in their individual classes:
Judy Blair, Gold Work Embroidery, 3rd.
Margaret Davies, Watercolour, 2nd.
Mary Gaskarth, Passion Fruit Curd, 3rd;Knitted Scarf, 2nd.
Marion Haddow, Embroidery, 2nd.
Pat Symms, Jacket, Highly Commended.
Once again Kelsall WI had a very successful Cheshire Show. The Group Entry was entitled "Plant a Tree for the Jubilee" and achieved a Highly Commended. Seven ladies contributes to this entry in various ways; Cathy Peel donated the oak tree, which Mary Diggle bonsaid; she also helped with the staging. The other group members were Judy Blair, Margaret Davies, Mary Gaskath, Marion Haddow, and Pat Symms. These five ladies were also all placed in their individual classes:
Judy Blair, Gold Work Embroidery, 3rd.
Margaret Davies, Watercolour, 2nd.
Mary Gaskarth, Passion Fruit Curd, 3rd;Knitted Scarf, 2nd.
Marion Haddow, Embroidery, 2nd.
Pat Symms, Jacket, Highly Commended.
Wednesday 30th March
Centenary Tree Dedication.
Today at 10.30 am on a very cold and gloomy day, a good number of WI members met up on the Green for a short Dedication Ceremony next to our Centenary Tree. We were very fortunate to welcome as our special guest Georgina Denny, CFWI Advisor. Our brass information plaque had been mounted on a piece of local sandstone by our President's very obliging husband and this was placed by our tree, planted in January by that same husband on another very cold day, see below.
After braving the weather, the Morris Dancer welcomed us into their lovely warm private dining room where we enjoyed coffee, cake and shortbread. Let's hope the weather warms up enough for our tree to blossom very soon!
Words: Fiona. Photos: Jane B and Marie
Centenary Tree Dedication.
Today at 10.30 am on a very cold and gloomy day, a good number of WI members met up on the Green for a short Dedication Ceremony next to our Centenary Tree. We were very fortunate to welcome as our special guest Georgina Denny, CFWI Advisor. Our brass information plaque had been mounted on a piece of local sandstone by our President's very obliging husband and this was placed by our tree, planted in January by that same husband on another very cold day, see below.
After braving the weather, the Morris Dancer welcomed us into their lovely warm private dining room where we enjoyed coffee, cake and shortbread. Let's hope the weather warms up enough for our tree to blossom very soon!
Words: Fiona. Photos: Jane B and Marie
25th January 2022
Today we finally planted our Cheshire Federation Centenary Tree on The Green. As you'll remember in 2020 when it was the centenary of Cheshire Federation, all the WIs in Cheshire (around 200!) were challenged to plant a tree locally as a memorial, but also as a statement towards our commitment to climate change awareness and action. So on an extremely cold and gloomy morning our President persuaded her husband to do the hard labour while she, our Treasurer and our Climate Change Ambassador added their support and encouragement! The tree is a Sorbus "Joseph Rock" so we can look forward to spring blossom, autumn colour and some glowing yellow berries in the future.
Words and Photos: Fiona
Today we finally planted our Cheshire Federation Centenary Tree on The Green. As you'll remember in 2020 when it was the centenary of Cheshire Federation, all the WIs in Cheshire (around 200!) were challenged to plant a tree locally as a memorial, but also as a statement towards our commitment to climate change awareness and action. So on an extremely cold and gloomy morning our President persuaded her husband to do the hard labour while she, our Treasurer and our Climate Change Ambassador added their support and encouragement! The tree is a Sorbus "Joseph Rock" so we can look forward to spring blossom, autumn colour and some glowing yellow berries in the future.
Words and Photos: Fiona
