Gardener’s Cuttings Stanton Court Nursing Home gardens open again for NGS


Pumpkins and sunflowers grown by young gardeners from a local primary school will be on show to visitors to Stanton Court Nursing Home’s gardens when they open for the NGS on Sunday 12th September. The Grade II listed house at Stanton Drew, near Chew Magna, lies among two acres of grounds, with mature trees, spacious lawns and extensive herbaceous borders containing many interesting plants, designed by Mary Payne OBE.


But its vegetable garden is the focal point of Stanton Drew Primary School’s gardening club. Gardener Judith Chubb-Whittle has been instrumental in helping Stanton Court share the gardens with the community, through the Stanton Drew Primary School gardening club, the village flower show, and the National Gardens Scheme.


Residents at Stanton Court have consistently said over many years that the gardens are their favourite feature of the home.


Primary school children planting a Tibetan cherry tree at Stanton court


The productive vegetable gardens and fruit trees are enjoyed year-round by residents and their families. As well as tending the vegetable garden, the primary school children always spend a few minutes talking with the residents who enjoy keeping an eye on their progress.


The gardens opened in the spring as part of the National Gardens Scheme Charities. Over £400 was raised by residents in aid of NGS charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie


Curie Cancer Care, and Cross Roads Care – all very much at the heart of Stanton Court’s purpose and philosophy.


When Stanton Court opens again for the NGS on 12th September the focus will be on the vegetable gardens where the children have been growing various crops including pumpkins and sunflowers. There should also be fruit trees, late raspberries and blackberries ready to harvest. Light lunches and teas will be available.


Residents and families of course enjoy all aspects of Stanton Court at any time – for Nursing Care enquiries please contact Matron Diane on 01275 332 410.


Stanton Court Nursing Home Gardens, Stanton Drew, Bristol BS39 4ER. Open: 12th September, 2pm – 5pm. Admission: £2.50, children free. Telephone: 01275 332410.


Bridgwater students celebrate silver and bronze


Third-year Honours Landscape Design students from Bridgwater College created an award-winning garden at the 2010 Gardeners World Live show at Birmingham’s NEC. Based on the Brutalist style of architecture, which uses concrete structures and clean, modern lines, the ‘On Another Level’ show garden illustrated how a practical and appealing garden can be created within a relatively small space to offer shelter, relaxation and comfort. As the focal point the students created an attractive wooden deck that appeared to float above a body of water and which included comfortable seating and geometric raised beds as well as a waterfall and a floating, cantilevered pergola.


After the judging tutor Iain Truman commented, “The students literally worked day and night to complete the garden on time, and did incredibly well to come out with a bronze medal. Their


‘Urban Sanctuary’ created by Dan Bere and Will Brett


efforts attracted a lot of interest and positive comment from the public as well, which was really encouraging.”


All of the plants and materials used were either donated or procured from within the College and all except the basic fixings will be re-used, but not before the students re-assemble their garden for the Taunton Flower Show in August.


The award winning college show garden ‘On Another Level’


The garden was not the only award winner for students at the show. Former Bridgwater students Dan Bere and Will Brett collaborated to produce ‘Urban Sanctuary’, a garden based on a native English woodland and designed to create a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Featuring traditional planting and materials with a modern twist, the garden was superbly well designed and constructed, winning the pair a silver medal in the small gardens category.


Country Gardener 5


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