Secret Gardens

The idea of a secret garden is always intriguing. For those of you near Bristol this weekend (16th-17th August) there's an opportunity to explore a few.  Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society (CHIA) are organising Bristol's first Open Garden Squares weekend. http://cliftonhotwells.org.uk/greensquare.html

As you know, London Parks & Gardens Trust organises the enormously popular Open Garden Squares Weekend in the capital every June. http://www.opensquares.org/ They're keen to encourage other towns and cities around the UK to join in and run similar weekends of their own.

The Lime Walk, St Andrew's Churchyard

Several Bristol based organisations were asked if they would start up the scheme in the city.  Only CHIS took up the challenge.  RoseMary Musgrave, Honorary Secretary of CHIS, says that they are 'starting small'.  They're concentrating on the 'Green Squares and Secret Gardens' hidden away in a square mile of Clifton.

Don't be fooled.  'Starting small' doesn't mean insubstantial.  As I discovered recently, this inaugural weekend is being held in a square mile crammed with unexpected treasures and fascinating history. Events are planned for all ages so there will be something going on for all the family.

The story of the walled kitchen gardens of Oxfordshire is no longer a secret.  A recent Oxfordshire Gardens Trust (OGT) survey has discovered that there were over 250 of them in Oxfordshire during the 19th century, many of which went into decline after The Great War. http://www.ogt.org.uk/

Volunteers involved with 'The Walled Kitchen Garden Project', the first county-based survey of its kind, have recorded over 200 walled kitchen gardens and have surveyed close to 90 in detail.  Their work has been summarised in an excellent (free) booklet.  Copies can be ordered from secretary@ogt.org.uk.

Autumn Dates for your diary:

16th September - 'British Gardens in Time ', RHS Lindley Library, 80 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE
Katie Campbell is well known to anyone who studied Garden History at Bristol University or Birkbeck College.  Katie will be giving an early evening talk at the RHS Lindley Library on 'British Gardens in Time'.  https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/libraries-at-rhs/events-exhibitions

1st October - Hagley Hall; 'Paradise Regained', Hagley Hall, Worcestershire, DY9 9LG
There's still time to book for
the the next Study Day organised by The Association of Gardens Trusts and Hereford and Worcester Gardens Trust in conjunction with The Garden History Society.
Joe Hawkins, Head of Landscape at Hagley Hall will guide us through the recent restoration of George Lyttelton's 18th century park.

A double dose of Capability Brown

Capability Brown landscapes provided an impressive backdrop for two June events: Capability Brown Festival Information Day and the Garden Museum Literary Festival.

Compton Verney, the national museum and art gallery that nestles in 120 acres of Brown landscape, hosted the Festival Information Day. http://www.comptonverney.org.uk/grounds/default.aspx 
Brown landscape owners and managers, and the organisations involved with planning the 2016 Festival, were updated on its progress and had the opportunity to share ideas. http://www.capabilitybrown.org

Compton Verney - copyright Liz Ware

As John Phibbs pointed out, it's the scale and number of sites where Brown advised that made him so remarkable and worthy of celebration.  New information about his work continues to be unearthed from the archives by the County Garden Trusts. All the new material will be available  on the Parks and Gardens UK website. http://www.parksandgardens.org/projects/capability-brown

CB Festival Project Manager Ceryl Evans and her team are working towards the Heritage Lottery Fund 2^nd round bid in October. Among their tasks is the search for 12 Capability Brown sites that are easily accessible from urban areas.

Bettina Harden, founder and Chairman of the Gateway Gardens Trust, was one of several speakers who discussed ways in which new audiences can be encouraged to visit Brown landscapes. As Bettina pointed out, for some sections of the population, visiting a heritage site isn't an obvious choice. Often, people don’t know that such sites exit, and even if they do, they're not sure that they will be welcome in them.

In the last 10 years Compton Verney has increased its visitor numbers by 70%.  The advice of Head of Marketing, Sam Skillings, is to ‘keep it local’ and to focus on an area within 30 minutes drive.  Sam has the help of a team of volunteers who feel strongly about everything that Compton Verney has to offer. These ‘ambassadors’ carry out very successful marketing on a local level.

Another day, another Brown landscape.  Yet more idyllic surroundings and inspiring speakers but this time with a focus on thought-provoking books – it could only be the Garden Museum Literary Festival.  Petworth House, was the venue for the 2^nd celebration of all that is good in garden-related literature.

Petworth Park - copyright Liz Ware

Was it too much to expect perfect weather for 2 years in a row?  The sun shone on us for the entire weekend in the beautiful private gardens of Lord and Lady Egremont and their family. It was tempting to think, as Max Egremont discussed the fantasy English landscapes conjured up by WWI poets, that we too had stepped into a fantasy world. As the solstice sun fell over Brown’s Petworth Park, it was impossible to imagine a more perfectly English scene.

This magical weekend supported the Garden Museum’s development project. http://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/page/garden-museum-the-future If you haven’t sponsored its Director, Christopher Woodward, as he prepares for his fundraising swim along the Thames, now is as good a time as any! http://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/page/tradescants-treasures-thames-swim-2014

Looking ahead:

19^th -20^th September, The University of Sheffield’s Department of Landscape is devoting its Annual Landscape History Conference to The History of Groves. http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/landscape/index

A green future for our cities

A dazzling array of speakers at London Parks & Gardens Trust's 20th Anniversary Symposium, 'London's Green Future', left us with no doubt about the importance of keeping London as one of the greenest cities in the world.

A quick glimpse at the Trust's website shows an inventory of over 2,600 green spaces in the capital. http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk They will be even more essential when, as Peter Massini (Urban Greening Team Leader for Greater London Authority) predicts, London has a population of 11 million - a prospect that is a mere 20 to 30 years away.

copyright Liz Ware

Paul Lincoln from the Landscape Institute introduced us to the idea of 'liveable' cities.  Well-designed greenspace is, he says, 'a refuge and an asset'.  It's important that property developers understand that taking landscape into consideration increases saleability.

James Hitchmough, Professor of Horticultural Ecology at the University of Sheffield is working to find a balance between human cultural needs and enhanced biodiversity.  He encouraged us to be flexible in our city planting and not to get caught in the trap of thinking that only native is good.

Dusty Gedge, the Green Roof Campaigner and Designer, talked us through the benefits of green roofs. Cooling in summer and insulating in winter, they have plenty to offer an environmentally aware city. http://greenroofconsultancy.com

Tom Armour is working on Joanna Lumley's idea for London's Garden Bridge - 'the slowest way to cross the river'.  An exciting project, not least because the importance of getting the soil right for the plants has taken precedence over the structure of the bridge itself. http://www.gardenbridgetrust.org/index.html

It doesn't matter how forward thinking we are in our urban greening, without a constant stream of well-trained horticulturalists, creating and maintaining greenspace will be impossible. Leigh Morris, President of the Institute of Horticulture summed up the success of the Grow Careers initiative. Two years on, Careers Officers are realising that horticulture has something to offer everyone, whatever their level of intellect. http://www.growcareers.info

If your brain is in need of stimulation this weekend, and in the most beautiful of gardens, head to Petworth House for the 2nd Garden Museum Literary Festival.  A peaceful weekend beckons, where the only difficult decision will be deciding which of the extraordinary collection of speakers to hear. http://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/page/a-friend-a-book-and-a-garden-a-festival-of-garden-literature-21-and-22-june-at-petworth-house

Healthy Landscapes

'Blue' landscapes are at least as good for us as 'green'?  That's just one result from the latest research on the benefits of spending time in the natural world reported at the Garden Museum's symposium on 'Healthy Landscapes'.

copyright Liz Ware

It was an excellent day of inspirational presentations, so why were some of us slightly uneasy?  Was it because, as one delegate pointed out, not all the benefits of time in green (or blue) space are quantifiable or easily collected through research?

We are having to play the numbers game to prove the value of green space to those who, until recently, were not prepared to listen. But is this a game that works well in a business setting but is lacking when we're discussing the natural world?

What happens, in our tick box culture, to a garden related project that has to justify its existence statistically in order to survive?  If it can't describe all the benefits it creates in statistical terms, will it receive the funding it deserves?

We're squeamish about mentioning it, but there is more to us than mind and body.  The connection between our soul and the soil has been recognised by man since the beginning of time.  If we ignore this fact when we are quantifying the benefits of green space we're leaving something vital out of the equation.  But there might be a solution.

Anyone who has ever been involved in buying or selling a business will agree that 'goodwill' is 'a thing very easy to describe, very difficult to define'. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/cgmanual/cg68010.htm As HM Customs and Revenue website points out, the fact that goodwill is difficult to show 'on a balance sheet does not mean that it doesn't exist'.

If we're not brave enough to acknowledge the spiritual value of nature just yet, can we at least ensure that this benefit (as difficult to measure and describe as goodwill) can be included in every assessment of healthy landscapes.  If we don't, some very worthwhile projects risk missing out on funding.

copyright Liz Ware

Whether you live in a green, blue or predominantly grey landscape, you will have noticed that we're having a bumper May.  What a joy to be surrounded by bluebells, cow parsley, hawthorn, cuckoos and swifts all at once - the entire month's delights in one sitting.

Of course, May also brings with it the excitement of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.  Anyone feeling the need for a break from the crowds will find an intriguing exhibition in the peace and tranquillity of the Garden Museum. http://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/page/london-tree-week-knitted-trees-11-05-13-18-05-13

'Alan Titchmarsh: 50 years of Gardening' is running from 19 May to 31 August.  It tells the story of the changes that have taken place in gardens and gardening since the 1960s when Alan started work as a teenage apprentice in a municipal nursery.  This recent history is interwoven with a personal narrative, told through 101 garden-related objects.

Don't forget the Chelsea Fringe. http://www.chelseafringe.com/#  If you don't venture to London this year, there are plenty of Fringe activities happening elsewhere.  Look out for Bristol's Get Growing Trail http://www.bristolfoodnetwork.org/2014/05/bristols-get-growing-garden-trail-2014/  and events in Kent, Brighton and even Vienna.

Looking ahead to 21 and 22 June, Arley Hall and Gardens near Knutsford are celebrating their 20th garden festival this year.  Anyone booking a ticket before 16 June has the opportunity to win breakfast with Chris Beardshaw and with Lord Ashbrook, whose family have lived at Arley Hall for more than 500 years.  A good opportunity for a garden history conversation perhaps? http://www.arleyhallandgardens.com/win-breakfast-tvs-award-winning-designer-gardener/

George London, sunny Derbyshire and perhaps a revived County Gardens Trust for Nottinghamshire?

Melbourne Hall in Derbyshire is an excellent example of an early 18th garden. It's also a very appropriate place for a Study Day on nurseryman and designer, George London, in this, the 300th anniversary year of his death.  Last week, Derbyshire Historic Gardens, The Garden History Society and AGT Trustees, Joanne Kidd and Sarah Fitzgerald, gave us the chance to find out a little more about the work of one half of the 'great gardening duo', George London and Henry Wise. http://www.melbournehall.com

(copyright Liz Ware)

As with any stimulating Study Day, we left with as many questions as we were given answers. Who could fail to be intrigued to hear of the letters written to the 18th century owner of Melbourne Hall, the Rt Hon Thomas Coke, by his sister, Elizabeth? How fascinating it would be to learn more about the insight they provide into the house and gardens at Melbourne Hall in the early 18th century.

Melbourne is a survivor, not just in terms of its early 18th century design, but also as a result of its unusually well preserved archives.  More recent, but unfortunately less well-documented, are the many World War I landscapes and memorials that are scattered around the country.  The War Memorials Trust would like to hear about more of them and are asking County Gardens Trusts (CGTs) to register any that they discover. https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk

As always, CGT research teams are busy all around the country. Many are already working on the Capability Brown project.  Kate Harwood, who will be coordinating their research gets a mention in the latest Capability Brown 300 news. http://www.capabilitybrown.org/news/research-co-ordinator-association-gardens-trust

Given the new and exciting work involved in the CB300 project and the CGTs increased involvement in planning consultations, it's important that every county has a Trust to represent its interests.  Today, Nottinghamshire is the only county without an active Trust. AGT Chairman, Steffie Shields, and Historic Landscape Project Officer, Verena McCaig, would like to do something to help.

They're holding a meeting for all those interested in bringing Nottinghamshire's Trust back to life at Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus on 26th April (11.30 -13.30).  If you live in Nottinghamshire and would like to come along and find out more, please contact the AGT co-ordinator at the Gardens Trust email address available on http://www.gardenstrusts.org.uk/10-contact.html

In the meantime, enjoy National Gardening Week. There are plenty of events to choose from. http://www.nationalgardeningweek.org.uk

And for anyone who has forgotten, it's also Beanpole week.  Happy planting! http://www.beanpoles.org.uk

Spring, Working Together and an extraordinary swim

Can Business Meetings ever be uplifting? Perhaps it had something to do with the arrival of Spring, but the Association of Gardens Trusts' first Business Meeting of this year certainly was.  It's always a good time for the County Gardens Trust (CGT) representatives and our Working Together partners to share news of what is happening, but this year it seemed to be particularly positive and forward looking.

(copyright - Liz Ware)

Five of the Trusts are celebrating significant anniversaries.  Welsh Historic Gardens Trust http://www.whgt.org.uk and the Isle of Wight Gardens Trust http://www.iowgardenstrust.org.uk are 25 years old this year.  Hampshire Gardens Trust http://www.hgt.org.uk has been working with its county's parks, landscapes and designed spaces for 30 years, while Cheshire Gardens Trust http://www.cheshire-gardens-trust.org.uk is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

It's not so long ago that we were discussing the need to work more closely with The Garden History Society (GHS), Parks & Gardens UK and the Garden Museum. While discussions continue about developing a closer relationship between the AGT and the GHS, the Garden Museum and Parks & Gardens UK are collaborating on an exhibition.  Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the exhibition will focus on the impact of WW1 on gardens and gardening.  It opens in the Garden Museum in September, but there's still time for CGTs to contribute to Parks & Gardens UK's webpage dedicated to the project.  For more information see http://www.parksandgardens.org/about-us/working-in-partnership/288-gardening-in-wartime .

Many CGTs are already tweeting about their activities. An excellent pre-Business Meeting workshop organised by our Historic Landscape Project Officers will have given even more Trusts the confidence to sign up to social media.  Of course, our Working Together partners are making good use of it too. Have a look at Parks & Gardens UK's new blog, managed by Trustee, David Marsh. http://parksandgardensuk.wordpress.com

The Garden Museum's calendar is as busy as ever.  If you haven't booked a place at this year's Garden Literary Festival (21st-22nd June), there's still time to do so.  For many of us, last year's Festival (the first of its kind) was a particular highlight in an already spectacular summer. http://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/page/a-friend-a-book-and-a-garden-a-festival-of-garden-literature-21-and-22-june-at-petworth-house

As the flood waters subside and some of us venture back along the banks of the Thames, Christopher Woodward, Director of the Garden Museum is planning to spend an inordinate amount of time in, rather than alongside, the river.  News of his previous fund raising swimming adventures has always made good reading. His next swim could be the most challenging yet.  Join us in supporting him and an exciting new chapter in the life of the Garden Museum. http://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/page/tradescants-treasures-thames-swim-2014

Countdown to Capability Brown's 300th Birthday Celebrations begins

Congratulations to all those who worked on the Capability Brown 300 Festival (CB300) funding application.  Their efforts have paid off - the 2016 Festival will receive £139,200 development funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to help with the planning of celebrations all over the country.

You might not have realised that the Landscape Institute led the bid for funding.  It worked tirelessly on behalf of an extraordinary partnership of organisations - all sharing our interest in designed historic landscapes and of course, in Capability Brown.  Have a look at http://www.capabilitybrown.org  to see  who is involved in this once in a lifetime venture.  Even better, register to keep in touch with what's happening http://www.capabilitybrown.org/contact

(Cedar reflection, Compton Verney
copyright Steffie Shields)

What's next? Well, as our very active President, Gilly Drummond, Chair of the Capability Brown 300 Steering Group has pointed out, work has already started.  County Gardens Trust (CGT) volunteers around the country are already researching and collecting material about Brown landscapes from archives and libraries. Once collated, it will be easily accessible on the Parks & Gardens UK website. http://www.parksandgardens.org Anyone visiting Brown landscapes in 2016 will have the very best chance to understand the work of one of history's most influential landscape architects.

The programme of activities being developed will have something for everyone.  Yes, there'll be plenty to intrigue those who are already aware of Brown's work but there will be just as much to engage a new and diverse audience. With the help of  Brown site owners and managers, and with the support of volunteers, it's hoped that at least 150 of Capability Brown's parks and gardens will be open to the public in 2016. What a great opportunity to introduce people of all ages to the pleasure and increased well-being we can all share, outside, reading landscapes and exploring our  heritage.

A training day for CGT and NADFAS volunteers is being planned for later in the year. Keep an eye on the AGT website for further details.

Could Brown's capabilities have helped us with the current flood crisis? Floodwater in my part of the world allowing, I'll be heading to Compton Verney this week to see its 10th anniversary celebratory exhibition - the work of Henry Moore and Auguste Rodin, much of which will be displayed in the Capability Brown designed parkland. The exhibition will be open until 31 August, 2014. If you want to begin to understand Brown's work, this could be a wonderful place to start. http://www.comptonverney.org.uk/modules/events/event.aspx?e=250&title=moore_rodin

January blues?

It's difficult to write anything about January 2014 without commenting on the weather.  What a wet start to the year it's been.  The Thames in my part of Oxfordshire has doubled in width.  At the moment, my local park is completely submerged.  No doubt yours will be pretty soggy too.  Despite the mud, now is the time to start thinking about Love Parks Week 2014.  The website for this year should soon be up and running. Then you can start planning your events ready for July.

(copyright Liz Ware)

Our urban Parks are the subject of another initiative.  'Rethinking Parks' has been launched by Nesta, the Big Lottery Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.  It's worth looking at the link to the website.  http://www.nesta.org.uk/search?search_api_views_fulltext=Rethinking%20Parks  While you're there, have a look at the Nana Cafe - winner of Nesta's Ageing Well Challenge - an inspirational scheme that allows older people to use their skills and to contribute to their local community by working in a Nana cafe. http://www.nesta.org.uk/search?search_api_views_fulltext=nana%20cafe How many of our local parks could host a similar scheme?  With a bit of imagination and some local support, a venue needn't be an issue - the latest Nana project in Clapton, Hackney is housed in refurbished public loos.

It's almost impossible to pick up a newspaper or magazine without reading about another study confirming that being outside is good for us.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/08/green-space-combat-depression-mental-health
Who would have believed that, just a few years ago, we were struggling to get anyone to take that message seriously.  It can only be good news for the County Gardens Trusts. If people appreciate being in the natural world there's a chance that they will also take an interest in and value our historic designed landscapes.  Perhaps this is the time to spread the word about what we're doing?
 If your County Gardens Trust is involved with an exciting project, or is celebrating an anniversary this year, please get in touch.