Delighted however to say hello to her and Asa at Dan Hinkleys talk at Writtle Colllege on Friday 12th March - absolutley fantastic presentation. He had a split screen presentation of the globe spinning in one corner an image of the garden and video with birdsong - wow - Mackintosh is amazing - must try to up my game!!
His garden near Seattle looks superb - what a setting on the cliff overlooking Pudget Sound.
On Monday 15th I spent the day cutting ornamental grasses back in the garden - Gardeners Question Time on Radio 4 said not to cut Stipa tenuissima - they must be mad it loves a quick short back and sides!
On Tuesday I taught at my girls Primary School - we were removing a wildlife pond which takes up precious space and the headmistress feels would be better turned into a scented garden. The children loved heaving the mini bullrush up out of the muddy quagmire (or however you spell it!)
Wednesday 17th I drove upto Brandon to give a multi sensory talk to a group of adults with learning difficulties and some patients in the Nursing home. It was a humbling experience. I took Daphne bholua Jacquleine Postill and Lonicera fragrantissima for superb strong scent and Contorted Hazel for its wacky stems and catkins as a lovely sign of spring. I so enjoyed it and I think they did too!
Thursday 16th - went back to my old High School at Hadleigh to work with 3 sets of 30 children in year 7 (age 12) to fire up their interest not only in gardening but trying to get across how we can use our garden as a cross curricular space - so somewhere to perform drama, exhibit sculptures/try to recreate historical elements like turf tree seats etc. I have a pile of thier designs to put togetrher and come up with a garden for them. They loved using my measuring wheel and transfering our measurements onto the drawing board - it really brought maths to life - into the real world.Am heartened to hear that they are going to teach Agricultural Science - bring back Rural studies and link to healthy eating/living.
Gardening at Rushbrooke again on Friday. Then on Saturady lecturing to 100 members of the U3A (University of the Third Age) as part of their day long Garden Study Days where I was one of 4 speakers - it was a fascinating day listening to talks on Garden History and how climate change will effect our plant choice.
On Monday 22nd I ran a one day Plantaholic Course for 5 people based at Rushbrooke. This was a lovely day teaching 5 ladies how to construct a border and showing them around the garden.
More Primary shcool teaching on Tuesday at Great Whelnetham and Wednesday at Tudor Priamry School in Sudbury. We were busy seed sowing in their beautiful new raised beds which are a tribute to parent power and a couple of very proactive teachers - fantastic.
Two nights ago we went to a superb talk by the very lovley Tom Hart Dyke whose enthusiasum I love. I drovw down to Kent to hear a talk given by my other great plant hero - the god of gardening - Roy Lancaster (Beth being the Goddess!) gave at Lullingstone Castle and it was a delight to see the two great plant enthusiasts together - I was on a high for several days after that!!
The 'other girls' admiring my Parterre weeding!
