2016 Programme

Tuesday 26 January – Brunch Roxton Garden Centre – 10.30 am, shared transport

Wednesday 10 February, 7.30 pm Village Hall – Gardening talk by Geoff Hodge, writer and broadcaster – Colour All the Year Round. 

Wednesday 16 March, 7.30 pm Village Hall – talk by Dorothy Jamieson from the National Trust – Garden Design through the Ages.

Tuesday 5 April, 2.30 Milton Ernest Garden Centre – Terry will talk to us about Growing for Showing

Saturday 7 May – Coach trip to the RHS Malvern Spring Festival.  Price to include admission will be £28 - £30 to be confirmed in January.

Tuesday 21 June – Hitchin Lavender – shared transport

Friday 8 July – Riseley Garden Walk and Social

Late July – date to be confirmed - Evening Walk at Wimpole Hall Gardens

For more information please contact Sue Davies sue@daviesps.co.uk 

Bedfordshire Gardens Trust

Garden Researchers Wanted

Develop your research skills and join the project to investigate and record the historic gardens of Bedfordshire

There are over 100 historic parks and gardens in Bedfordshire, from the rare  survival of early 18^th-century formal gardens at Wrest Park to the modern work of Ian Hamilton Finlay in the Improvement Garden at Luton’s Stockwood Discovery Park. By 2003 English Heritage had registered 19 of them, but little is known of many of the others. The Bedfordshire Gardens Trust is currently recruiting garden research volunteers to join a project to find out more about the gardens of Bedfordshire.

Although previous research experience would be a bonus it is not essential. An interest in historic gardens and an enthusiasm to learn more about them is more important.

The Bedfordshire Gardens Trust

The Bedfordshire Gardens Trust was founded in May 2004 to increase awareness and appreciation of the County’s rich legacy of landscapes, parks and gardens. All significant designed landscapes, gardens (large and smaller), cemeteries, public parks and open spaces are of interest to the Trust.

As part of national umbrella organisation The Gardens Trust, Bedfordshire Gardens Trust has an increasing involvement with local planning proposals and with promoting the protection and conservation of historic parks and gardens.

Our aim is to produce a report on each site – its history, its present state and its significance – which can be put on record to help guide planning and conservation decisions. In doing this we want to work with owners, friends organisations and others.   

If you are interested in helping us by becoming a garden research volunteer please contact Jane Millership at millership35@btinternet.com

Visit to Warden Abbey Vineyard

Tuesday 15 September 2015

We have organized a tour of the Warden Abbey Vineyard, Old Warden, Bedfordshire, www.wardenvineyard.org.ukon Tuesday 15 September in the afternoon.  The tour is booked for 2.30 and we will organize shared transport.  We also hope to go somewhere local for tea after the tour.  The cost is £8 per person payable on the day.

The vineyard is run by Bedford Rural Communities Charity:

“The tour takes about 1.5 - 2 hours and includes:  a walk and talk around the vineyard discussing the history of the vineyard from its medieval origins to modern times, the varieties of vines and their care, the challenges of growing vines in our climate, and the modern English wine industry, as well as our community vineyard project and the special role played by our volunteers. You can even join in with the day's seasonal task if you like, then round off your visit with a tasting of a couple of our wines.  If you would like to take a bottle or two home with you (!), our wines will be available to buy at the end of your tour (cash or cheque only please).

Other information for your visit

• Please note there is no winery on the site.

• The vineyard is on a gentle slope and the ground is uneven.  The walk may not be suitable for people with limited mobility. Please bring suitable footwear and outdoor clothing as the weather may be unpredictable.

• We have plenty of parking for cars and minibuses, but the site is not suitable for coaches.

• The vineyard is strictly not open to the public except for pre-booked tours.”

Please let Sue Davies know by Friday 11 September if you would like to come to Warden Abbey and whether you can offer or require transport.

Pruning – practical demonstration by Geoff Hodge

Thursday 12 March 7.30pm Village Hall

Geoff Hodge, freelance writer and broadcaster will come and talk to us about pruning.  Geoff has written several books including 2 on pruning, so we should get some good advice from him.  Come along and learn how to deal with those thorny problems!  Club members free, guests £2.00.  Refreshments will be provided.

Visit to Cambridge Botanical Gardens

Wednesday 15 April

The Riseley WEA Group is planning a visit to Cambridge Botanical Gardens on 15 April. Andrew Sankey who is giving this term’s lecture on Plant Hunters will lead the guided tour of the gardens.  Details of the costs involved e.g. coach, entrance fees and departure times will be given in due course.  Any members of the Gardening Club who are interested in joining the trip please contact Mike Knight on 708518, who is the organiser.

Future dates:

Primrose and Bluebell Walk followed by lunch – provisionally 23 April

Sunday 10 May 2015 – guided visit to the Swiss Garden at Old Warden – shared transport

Visit to Kelmarsh Hall – details to be confirmed

Friday 10 July 2015 – Village Garden Walk and Social

For more information contact Sue Davies, 708614,sue@daviesps.co.uk