How The Garden Happened.
The idea for creating a town wildlife garden came from a visit to a rural four acre wildlife garden in 2006. It was at Washfield, just outside Tiverton, Devon. As we walked around the garden, the owner gave us a guided tour with a talk and discussions. It was an education and a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Later that summer, Henry was ill with cellulitis in his feet and immobilised for a number of weeks. This gave us time to think and to plan. We realised that with a bit of work a similar concept could be applied to town gardens. So, we decided to dedicate our garden to wildlife, and to try and encourage others to do the same by following the principles of the Washfield garden.
The following February (2007) we responded to an invitation on the BBC Gardener's World website that challenged gardeners to see if their plots were good enough to open for the National Garden Scheme (NGS.) This seemed an ideal opportunity to set our plans into action. To our surprise we were accepted and arrangements were made to film the preparations for the television programme "Open Gardens." Carol Klein, the nation's favourite female gardener, fronted the programme for our garden, and performed well. It was all very exciting, even if it was hard work.
The NGS finally accepted us, and we opened the following year (2008.) We had three dates, one in May, one in June, and one in August. Success! The visitors were pleasant, the discussions were bouyant, acquaintances were made, and fun was in abundance. Even though it was a wet and miserable summer, everyone had a smile on their face at the end of their visit.
We plan to continue opening for the NGS for as long as possible because, besides having fun and trying to advance the cause of wildlife gardening in town, the charity supports two other charities who we feel strongly about. Macmillan Nurses, and Marie Curie Cancer Care. These cancer charities give support and nursing care to allow terminally ill cancer patients to die with dignity in the comfort of their own home, rather than with strangers in an impersonal hospital.
Meanwhile, back to more cheerful things. Why don't you think about converting you garden into a haven for wildlife and yourself. A wildlife garden posesses an addition dimention - life! And here's an another incentive - it's not such hard work but still looks great. Give it a go. If you want any advice contact us by email and we'll see what we can do.
Later that summer, Henry was ill with cellulitis in his feet and immobilised for a number of weeks. This gave us time to think and to plan. We realised that with a bit of work a similar concept could be applied to town gardens. So, we decided to dedicate our garden to wildlife, and to try and encourage others to do the same by following the principles of the Washfield garden.
The following February (2007) we responded to an invitation on the BBC Gardener's World website that challenged gardeners to see if their plots were good enough to open for the National Garden Scheme (NGS.) This seemed an ideal opportunity to set our plans into action. To our surprise we were accepted and arrangements were made to film the preparations for the television programme "Open Gardens." Carol Klein, the nation's favourite female gardener, fronted the programme for our garden, and performed well. It was all very exciting, even if it was hard work.
The NGS finally accepted us, and we opened the following year (2008.) We had three dates, one in May, one in June, and one in August. Success! The visitors were pleasant, the discussions were bouyant, acquaintances were made, and fun was in abundance. Even though it was a wet and miserable summer, everyone had a smile on their face at the end of their visit.
We plan to continue opening for the NGS for as long as possible because, besides having fun and trying to advance the cause of wildlife gardening in town, the charity supports two other charities who we feel strongly about. Macmillan Nurses, and Marie Curie Cancer Care. These cancer charities give support and nursing care to allow terminally ill cancer patients to die with dignity in the comfort of their own home, rather than with strangers in an impersonal hospital.
Meanwhile, back to more cheerful things. Why don't you think about converting you garden into a haven for wildlife and yourself. A wildlife garden posesses an addition dimention - life! And here's an another incentive - it's not such hard work but still looks great. Give it a go. If you want any advice contact us by email and we'll see what we can do.
A Spring and Summer of Filming!
Carol Klein and the film crew.
Johnny the sound man.
Jo Hynes. Devon Assistant County Organiser for the NGS.
Carol Klein and film crew.
Preparing for interviews.
Cramped for space in our compact garden.
|
Evelyn being interviewed by the film crew.
Filming equipment plus brolly. How English!
Sound equipment - still life.
Close up of same people.
Evelyn being interviewed.
Something's tickling Evelyn.
|