Gardener’s Cuttings
Portishead family prepare to ‘dig for victory’ A family from Portishead have been preparing their garden and “digging for victory” ready to spend two weeks living like people did in the war years. Lindsay and David Smith, of North Weston, have been expanding their vegetable patch and planting it up with different vegetables to cook when they take a step back to the 1940s. The couple and their 14-year-old daughter Holly plan to leave all their mod cons behind for a fortnight in September, hand washing clothes, putting away the television and eating only rationed food and what they have grown themselves.
The only modern piece of technology they will keep will be their computer, so they can post blogs about their experiences.
This year they have expanded the vegetable patch and have been busy planting carrots, tomatoes, squashes and pumpkins – much of which will be served up during their 1940s experiment.
Lindsay, 39, said: “What we are creating is a bit of a ‘victory garden’ like they did in the 1940s when people relied on what they could grow so they could eat.
One family is planning to show the war time gardening spirit
“We will be living on the rations of the 1940s and have already been researching and trying recipes.
“We want to make the experience as authentic as possible.”
The couple are opening their garden to the public as part of Portishead in Bloom’s open garden weekend on 12th & 13th June. They have regularly visited gardens around the town over the years and this year decided to show theirs off to the public.
In all 18 gardens around Portishead are taking part in the event, now in its eighth year. Entry to all the gardens is by programme, which costs £4 and will be on sale at shops across the town from the middle of May.
Refreshments, lunches and teas will be served in some gardens and in others there will be plant sales, charity stalls and a sale of ironwork by blacksmith Willa Ashworth.
The event is Portishead in Bloom’s main fundraiser of the year and last year netted £3,000. All the money raised is used to keep Portishead blooming throughout the year. Portishead in Bloom chairman Sandy Tebbutt said: “It’s a fantastic weekend with a huge variety of gardens for everyone to enjoy.”
Want to be taught gardening and cooking skills free?
Well here’s your chance to scratch that itch - St Marks Church Gardens in the Milford area of Yeovil are going to indulge in the green-fingered fervour and grab a slice of the good life. The ‘Get Set Grow and Get Set Cook’ course is all free!
Residents and families of all ages are being encouraged to take advantage of the scheme, which is just the first part of a much larger growing project planned for the Milford area.
There is also talk of a community garden for Milford residents where locals can grow fruit, veg, herbs and flowers. The residents’ association, the district council and the Milford Community Association have all worked hard to organise the scheme, forming part of the Yeovil inequalities project which aims to bring social, health and economic equality to Yeovil’s communities.
James Divall, Community Health and Well Being Project Manager explained: “There’s a fresh interest in growing your own food. Lots of families want to give it a try, even if they haven’t got much outdoor space.
“This is about getting individuals and families of all ages together to learn what they can do and get inspiration for healthy meals.” The sessions run on Mondays between 6pm and 8pm at St Marks Church Gardens, Chelston Avenue.
Cricket St Thomas gardens re-open after £300,000 restoration
£300,000 renovation programme at Cricket St Thomas
The historic gardens featured in the television sitcom ‘To The Manor Born’ have reopened after a £300,000 restoration. The project at Cricket St Thomas, near Chard, has seen the lakes and gardens restored to their former 19th century glory. The Grade II-listed gardens and grounds cover 160 acres and were originally created in the 19th century by the second Lord Bridport who spent a fortune in making a chain of beautiful lakes and cascades. The lawns of the Regency country mansion Cricket House, are among the grounds restored under the project. They still feature large cedars under which Lord Nelson and his mistress Lady Hamilton are believed to have spent time. Among plants in the new grotto garden are heuchera, ligularia, iris, astilbe, persicaria, labelia and purple petticoats. Most of the larger animals from the former Cricket St Thomas Wildlife Park, which closed last year after 42 years, have been permanently re-homed in other appropriate zoos and wildlife parks.
Country Gardener 5
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