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The ongoing management of historic estates as thriving communities where people work together to make the most of the land’s assets remains key to their commercial success and ultimate survival, and Bowood is a great example of this. Jane Carley met with Head Groundsman Geoff Partridge, Head Gardener David Glass and Head Greenkeeper Jaey Goodchild to discover more


Head Groundsman Geoff Partridge


including recent historical dramas ‘Poldark’ and ‘Sanditon’.


Extensive areas of traditional parkland are used for events and festivals, from classic car shows to concerts and sporting events. “Reinstatement after events for damage caused by vehicle movements keeps us busy - when Sanditon was filmed in June it rained incessantly!” comments Head Groundsman Geoff Partridge, who has been at Bowood for thirty-five years and has seen plenty of change in that time. “Initially, the house, gardens and park were only open six days a week and for six months of the year; now it is daily opening from the end of March to November, so


there is less time for renovations and improvements. But the seasons have also changed - the Woodland Garden is only open for the six-week flowering period, and that now begins three weeks earlier.” He adds that the nature of some areas of the parkland has been altered to give a more natural appearance and enhance habitats, with new wildflower areas. “They have also made the land easier to manage. For example, the site of a former bog garden had become wetland and was difficult to mow, but needed management to preserve the historic vista to the Doric temple. Once the flowers have seeded, we cut and collect with a flail collector to


The site of a former bog garden had become


”


wetland and was difficult to mow, but needed management to preserve the historic vista to the Doric temple


PC October/November 2019 23


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