Dorset Cuttings
GARDENERS CUTTINGS
a look at news, events and happenings in Dorset
Shaftesbury Abbey guided herb walk
You can learn more about herbs and their uses if you join the popular Herb Walk at Shaftesbury Abbey Garden on Tuesday 8th June. Starting at 6pm, it will be rounded off by refreshments with a herbal theme. The Anglo-Saxon plants in the lovely gardens at the Abbey museum are some of the herbs that would have been used by the nuns of the abbey. The ‘Aethelgifu’s Herb Collection’ was created in 1988 under the direction of Lady Jane Renfrew of Lucy College, Cambridge, and named after the first Abbess, daughter of King Alfred the Great. The selection of herbs tries to reflect what is known of their users in those times, and what they used the herbs for, in cooking, dyeing cloth, strewing, as natural insecticides, and in medicine. Tickets are £6, £5 for senior citizens, which includes refreshments. As places are limited, please book in advance. Tickets are available from the Abbey office, on 01747 852910 or visit the website:
www.shaftesburyheritage.org.uk
Visitors get opportunity at Compton Acres
Compton Acres in Poole is providing its visitors with the opportunity to influence future displays at the leading garden attraction, by choosing their favourite tulips from more than 20 varieties currently on show. Visitors to the Grade II listed gardens can decide whether they prefer a Golden Melody as opposed to Abba, or a Beauty Queen compared to a Ballerina.
Keen for its visitors to inspire the displays at Compton Acres, the most popular varieties of tulips identified over the forthcoming weeks, will be planted in the gardens next year.
Compton Acres – involving visitors
Peter Thoday, horticultural consultant at Compton Acres and former horticultural director of the Eden Project, said: “Following the coldest winter in 31 years, spring has finally sprung at Compton Acres, prompting
the tulips to burst into flower. “From bright yellows to deep purples, the tulips, of which many have unusual names, capture every colour and shade of the rainbow.
“With numerous tulips on display, we hope visitors to the gardens will be able to select their favourite variety while the flowers are at their best, in full bloom.
“Influencing our plans for next year, it’ll be interesting to see which tulip comes out on top. Will an Elegant Lady be preferred to Curley Sue, or an Orange Princess win over a Burning Heart?”
Call 01202 700778 or visit
www.comptonacres.co.uk
Netherbury gardens open up Netherbury is a stunning village in West Dorset with no less than four NGS gardens as well as other wonderful gardens both big and small. On Saturday and Sunday 12th and 13th the village gardens are open to visitors. Lunch is in the village hall each day from 12.30. There is ample parking and entrance is £5. There are plenty of plants on sale.
Country Gardener
Monkton Wyld Court gets ready for busy summer
Monkton Wyld Court is ready for a hectic summer. The centre has hosted educational courses, conferences and gatherings for adults, children and families for nearly 70 years. Many visitors return again and again as course leaders and participants or simply to relax as B&B guests. As well as workshops and family activity weeks, Monkton Wyld develops a programme of skills for sustainable living such as, eco-building, green technologies, sustainable land use and environmental arts and crafts.
June & July events include: 2nd - 4th June (Wed - Fri)
Family Bushcraft FunParents and children discover the wild together, enjoying the arts of firemaking, cooking damper bread and building a natural shelter. Residential and non-residential spaces available.
8th - 10th June (Tues - Thurs)
Introduction to Beekeeping with David Wiscombe. Local Lunch. Enjoy an organic meal with neighbours and an informal tour around the house, garden and grounds. Only £6. Please book ahead.
25th - 27th June (Fri - Sun)
A Weekend Exploration of Herbs and Wild and Medicinal Plants with Juliet Fishbourne. A practical weekend focusing on the healing power of plants and their resonance in living systems. Including herbal home remedies, preparations, culinary herbs and plant walks around the area.
2nd - 4th July (Fri - Sun)
Scything Weekend with Simon Fairlie. Residential and non-residential spaces available. From blade preparation and mowing to stacking hay, a comprehensive introduction from a leading instructor in the field.
www.monktonwyldcourt.co.uk 01297 560342
3
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56