Events Past

Reports of previous HPS Norfolk and Suffolk Group events, as told by our members.
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Garden Visit: 'The Beeches', Waltham-le-Willows

Written by Chris Davies. Posted in Events Past

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12th August 2017

Following an alarming start, - when Barbra’s reminder to the prospective host, Dr. Russell, was answered by his daughter, Penelope, saying that he had died before Christmas, that she had only recently moved in, but would be happy to have us, and generous enough to provide refreshments as well, - preparations went smoothly.

Members were asked to make donations for the refreshments.

This was a very established garden, one of it’s features being the range of huge specimen trees, Pawlonia, Davidia, Catalpa etc. There was an array of box topiary ranging from animals to abstracts and a number of old stone contrasts to the foliage and mixed flower borders. There were also a couple of Peter Rabbits in the border. ( not live ones).

The front boundary was contained within a flowing ditch, also used to make points of interest, and Penelope opened a gate so that we could go through to the village hall, where the local flowers and produce show was in full swing. Another gate took members around the house past an old mulberry tree and to the very pretty church.

When Penelope has had time to impose her own personality on the garden, it would be good to visit again.

*See poster advertising talk on ‘ Buckingham Palace Garden’ by Head Gardener, Mark Lane, on 16th September at 2.30pm. etc. £6.

Chris Davies 

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Garden Visit: Redisham Hall

Written by Chris Davies. Posted in Events Past

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15th July 2017

Colin arrived early and put out HPS signs - always a comforting sight when travelling in a strange area.

Immediate excitement was raised by the plant sales area, with a good range of plants at ‘cup of coffee’ prices. This took many members’ attention for some time, before proceeding.

 The huge walled vegetable garden was most impressive with quantities of immaculately grown vegetables, including rows of contrasting coloured cabbages, cold frames, glasshouse and netted fruit areas.

Beyond the wall a little doorway led past a Judas tree ( Cercis siliquastrum ) quantities of purple seed pods, crowded onto branches and the main stem. Past the shrubbery, with the house to our left, where there were areas of formal garden, including a formal pond with large Koi carp, whilst to our right was a large lawn and further across, another pond, much larger, ( and a little boat), crossed by a bridge and fairly newly planted on the surrounding sloping banks.

Drifting further across the expanse of lawn there were tables and chairs set out and a little summer-house with more seats and a table supporting an excellent range of cakes and tea and coffee to complete our visit.

(One member expressed the opinion that at £7, this was not best value for money.)

There will be a longer review in the next Newsletter.

Chris Davies

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