Come on in! The garden's lovely!

Betley Court Garden gates, specially commissioned by local artist-blacksmith Charis Jones in 2016

 Last weekend saw the trial opening of Betley Court Gardens for the first time. Charis Jones’ gates were swung open, signs hung, and smart new hi-viz vests donned. Paths were freshly mown, flowerbeds weeded, and edging repaired. And amazingly, given the very wet June we’re enjoyed in Britain this year, the rain held off for the weekend until the gates closed at 4pm on the Sunday.

Our very first visitor, Mrs Berrisford

Tom, the house cat was on duty. He’s a typical ginger cat – very sociable. Well, up to a point – with cats, it’s always on their terms, and Tom is no exception. He had a lot of fun though, charming and supervising the ‘hooman’ visitors as they walked around.

Tom, the house cat, chilling out of the sun

Our avian Bonnie and Clyde duo, the grouse pair launched a surprise attack on Saturday evening, decimating a poor innocent (and freshly planted, might I add) Achillea millifolium ‘Walter Funcke’. Until it was denuded of its flowers, it had (HAD being the operative word) paprika-red composite blooms, peppered with yellow centres.  Glorious! And the honey bees love them. There was an emergency dash early on Sunday morning to B & Q to buy more green chicken wire to make protective collars. At £6 a pop, the achillea makes very expensive bird food! Oh, the balancing act of being a nature-loving gardener, who from time-to-time falls out of love with nature’s beasties.

Achillea millifolium 'Walther Funcke'

By the end of what was a very pleasant weekend for us, we took stock of what we’d all achieved. We got 32% more visitors than we aimed for, not bad, considering that we had deliberately kept publicity for the event low-key (until we build the refreshment/toilet facilities, we can’t feasibly host larger numbers of people).  The quality of the feedback we received was superb, and we were able to talk personally to a large percentage of the visitors. Their insight is invaluable, as it’s so important for us to have a ‘visitors’ eye-view’. A tea room and loos were top of people’s list. A bike rack and scooter/pram park would suit many of the young families that came. People enjoyed the mixture of formal and wild gardens, and would like to see information boards about both the historical aspects of the grounds (like our notable trees, and features like the eel trap) and the nature they’re enjoying. Armed with these ideas, and others, we have a new ‘to-do’ list. It’s going to be a busy year!

We got some very welcome feedback from our friends at Dorothy Clive Gardens, who teamed up with us to offer garden and history groups a trip to both gardens over the summer. The trips have been successful enough for them to want to repeat them next year. That’s a huge pat on the back to us, and exciting news for next year. We hope people will return to see what we’ve improved next spring and will be intrigued to hear their feedback.

Wild cow parlsley down by the dam

Its been a great year for the foxgloves, some are over 8ft high!

We start on the next phase this week. A conservation joiner, and a specialist builder start work on a window in one of the flats and roof in the main house. Down in the dingle, the lowering and emptying of the lake will continue in readiness for our dam contractor to start urgent repairs. Elsewhere, the planned demolition of six of the garages to create more parking will start soon. We are just awaiting permission to fell certain trees before starting. We’ll start to see big changes then. Incidentally, a young visitor asked us about the condemned trees (marked with an ‘X’ or an ‘XS’ depending on whether they are to be felled, or felled and the stump removed). We assured him that we do replant a tree for every tree felled. In fact, we plan to plant copses, specimen trees and native trees all around the garden, so are increasing the number of trees. We hope to get local community groups involved too, which will be exciting.

Heading down to the garden railway

Round by the sundial

Finally, a big ‘Thank You!’

We have our very own ‘Come-Rain-Or-Shine’ gang at Betley Court, who over the years have given up their time to support us in our activities. So, a special ‘thank you!’ to Patrick, Phil and Annette, and Philip (our unofficial photographer) for helping on Saturday and Sunday. You made such a difference! Also, to Suzanne and Malcolm for looking after the Peace Garden, and to Misty the collie, for entertaining our younger visitors by fetching the ball for them.

Our 'Come-Rain-Or-Shine' gang

And of course, to the two Mr O’s, who have battled the elements to get jobs done around the garden this year, and to Stephanie and Lorraine who kept spirits up with the supply of well-timed cuppas during the build up to the open weekend!

Lastly, to the members of the next generation, who used their time off from studying or travels to help out in the gardens (F, B, A, L&C – you rock guys!)

All best wishes

Ladybird Su