Gardener’s Cuttings


Waking for the dawn chorus in the garden becomes a passion


Fancy getting up at 4am? Thousands of gardeners and bird lovers put their alarm on very early for International Dawn Chorus day in early May – a worldwide celebration of bird song.


Events took place all over the globe to highlight the beauty of this natural occurrence, and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust amongst others ran events throughout the Cotswolds to give people the chance to hear the best of Gloucestershire’s birds, with an expert on hand to identify them. But it seems the dawn chorus phenomena is becoming something of a growing movement as gardens in Cornwall Devon and Hampshire have


all been running dawn chorus events.


The chorus occurs at the crack of dawn. As the sky begins to lighten, a myriad of different birds wake up and sing their most impressive tunes to attract a mate, mark their territory, and to keep track of other birds. With no man-made noise, their song is crystal clear and pretty awe-inspiring.


Blackbirds are the first to sing. Then come robins, wrens, thrushes, finches, and hedge sparrows. Eventually, as the light begins to increase, so does the volume of the song into a veritable performance!


Few early morning wakers say it’s not well worth losing a few hours in bed.


National Trust takes the stage at Glastonbury


The National Trust is to set up shop at the Glastonbury music festival for the first time.


The National Trust aims to take its message to Glastonbury


The charity, famous for its stately homes and immaculate gardens, promises a radical departure from gift shop stereotypes: it is planning a canvas geo-dome that it says will bring the tranquility of the countryside to the crowded festival.


Festivalgoers will be able to relax in


piles of leaves, breathe in the scent of a hay meadow and swap earsplitting rock for birdsong or the sound of waves in what they are calling an Outside Inn.


"I'm sure some people will look at us and think, 'Crikey, what the hell are they doing here?' And that's just the response we want," said Andy Mayled, the Trust's manager for the Somerset countryside. "We are known for our cream teas, potpourri and tea towels, but that is a very small part of what we do. The National Trust is about open space and countryside. When people walk into the Outside Inn, they will walk into the countryside."


Visitors will be able to sit on tree stumps or sink back on cushions beneath a tree sculpture, put on headphones and listen to sounds of nature while watching a lightshow of dawn until dusk. Then they can decorate their wellies or contribute to a poem about the joys of nature by Glastonbury's resident poet. The Inn, despite its name, will not serve alcohol.


Project gives Somerset farmers an insight into sustainable practices


Local farmers with a passion for sustainable growing have a unique chance to share knowledge and experiences with fellow African farmers in a project run by development charity Send a Cow.


Grow it Global, the charity’s farming and education project, provides a rare insight into how successful sustainable farming is, in one of the toughest climates in the world.


Farms across Somerset and Bristol are to host African farmers who have been helped by Send a Cow’s innovative agricultural training projects, and who are now self reliant. Together, the farmers and their African counterparts will build African gardens to showcase the growing techniques that are transforming lives right across Africa.


Gerald Osborne, a Somerset farmer who has travelled to Uganda to meet Send a Cow farmers said: “Farmers all over the world have a vital role in feeding its increasing population.


It is very exciting to be able to bring some of these farmers here to


British farms so that we can learn from each other and children from our schools can learn about farming here and in Africa.”


www.sendacow.org.uk Country Gardener Westonbirt’s famous lime avenue 11 Westonbirt lets children in free


For the first time, the National Arboretum at Westonbirt which is managed by the Forestry Commission is offering free admission to children from 1st-3rd June and 23rd July to 31st August.


The promotion includes the June half term 'Around the World' family event, being held in partnership with the BBC's Breathing Places campaign, and the Festival of the Tree. With a Kids Go Free promotion, the world famous Festival of the Tree and a programme of wildflower walks and outdoor activities, Westonbirt, the National Arboretum has an exciting calendar of summer events for everyone. Throughout the summer there are also special trails for kids and play maps to explore the exciting hidden world of natural play areas, including dens, forts and some great trees for climbing. Download the play trails at www.forestry. gov.uk/westonbirt-families, or pick them up at the Forest Shop or Great Oak Hall. If you're after some time to relax and rejuvenate, there's a great programme of outdoor activities, trails and walks to connect you with the 600-acres of invigorating summer woodland at Westonbirt.


Wildflower walks, woodworking workshops and a Woody Women course can all help you to escape from everyday life, learn new skills and connect with the natural world.


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