Gardener’s Cuttings
Garden courses in idyllic Exmoor setting
This is the time of year to start planning your garden for the next season, and if you need to rejuvenate it or plan a new border, then a short course will give you plenty of ideas. All the better if it can be done in a relaxed, rural setting.
Clare Trickey runs one-day and two- day garden courses for small groups at the idyllic setting of Sannacott, her home on the southern side of Exmoor at North Molton, where she also offers both bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation.
Jay Davey has been contributing to the Start Garden at Clarence House
Somerset Willow goes to London with craftsman Jay Davey
Somerset is known for its willow, and local willow craftsman Jay Davey has been taking Somerset to London, with his contribution to the Start Garden at Clarence House, the residence of HRH the Prince of Wales, in July. The garden was designed as a ‘Forest Garden’ installation by Petherick, Urquhart and Hunt Associates, West Country based experts in organic gardening. Jay wove a serpentine of willow throughout the garden, a display of sustainable gardening and growing.
Country Gardener readers may have seen Jay’s show garden at Taunton Flower show in August, for which he
won a silver gilt medal. The ‘Willow in the Round’ garden featured an arch and gate entrance with ‘Sunscreens’ leading to the garden. It was enclosed with curved willow screens, featuring a stone sculpture by local artist Duncan Varley, with a willow spiral base, a corner seat, small pool and framed views of the planting. Planting areas highlighted different willows with form, leaf and horticultural or craft usage. Most of the plants were grown by Jay and his family. The planting was designed to show interest throughout the year, from the catkins and stem colour of the willow, Ajuga flowers of spring, continuing on with a variety of perennials and summer flowers.
Idyllic setting for garden courses
Clare and her husband run a stud farm where National Hunt horses are trained. She is a keen gardener who found that she needed some expert advice but had not found the right course for her locally. So she hit on the idea of organising them at her own home.
She approached garden designer Lizzie Stock with the idea of running some basic design and practical gardening courses. Lizzie has had 12 years’ experience of designing and developing gardens since her training at Bicton College. She is an experienced hands- on gardener with a wide knowledge of plants, and likes to run short courses that are fun and informal.
The courses at Sannacott are organised for small groups so that everyone gets individual attention. Two are planned for the coming weeks: ‘Rescue and rejuvenate your garden’ on Saturday, 22nd
October and on Saturday, 19th
November, ‘Planning a mixed border’. These one-day courses run from 9.30am for a 10am start and continue until 4pm. The charges are £65 per person, which includes refreshments and a light lunch, with drawing materials provided.
Contact Clare Trickey at Sannacott, North Molton EX36 3JS. Tel:01598 740203, email mctrickey@hotmail. com or
www.sannacott.co.uk
Jay believes in quality craftsmanship and his willow creations have been featured at a number of prestigious events, including the Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows, the Eden Project, BBC Gardeners’ World Live and Somerset Art Weeks. Jay says: “My involvement in these recent projects has been very exciting. It is fantastic to showcase Somerset willow. It is an amazing material, so adaptable and I want people to see that it can be used in any garden, from traditional, to minimal and modern settings. I have worked on penthouses in Knightsbridge, as well as Cornish cottages and people really love it.”
Jay uses willow to make fencing, furniture, indoor and outdoor screens, sculpture and more. He also exhibited his work at the Binham Grange Summer Exhibition and Sculpture Garden, Old Cleeve, Minehead. Contact him on 07977 788236, email him on
info@jaydavey.co.uk or visit the website:
www.jaydavey.co.uk
Students celebrate first new horticulture course
Students on the new East Lambrook Diploma in Horticulture course, which was launched in January this year, celebrated their success when their certificates were awarded by Mike Werkmeister, owner of East Lambrook Manor Gardens where the course is held.
Successful students on the new East Lambrook Diploma course
The Malthouse, which is situated in the garden, was full of students and their families and friends. Course tutor John Horsey said: “It
was a lovely evening as everyone has enjoyed the course so much and they are now able to celebrate their achievements. All 12 students who started year one in January are looking forward to the start of year two in September, as well as welcoming a new first year group.”
Together with the awarding of certificates, John gave an illustrated report on the events, practical projects and visits to other gardens during the year.
The East Lambrook Diploma covers all areas of horticulture and gardening with practical as well as theoretical learning and is delivered at the famous East Lambrook Manor Gardens near South Petherton in Somerset, which were created by the garden icon Margery Fish.
The courses at East Lambrook are open to anyone with an interest in horticulture, whether for initial training or to increase their gardening skills. Details are available from John Horsey on
jonatrivendell@btinternet.com, telephone 07811 446682.
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