The New Year Begins

Greetings to you in 2021. We’ve had snow over the Christmas break on the Staffordshire/Cheshire border creating some lovely photo opportunities in the gardens of Betley Court. The image for next year's Christmas card is sorted, that's for sure! Nigel has made almost daily visits to check on the water levels on the pond, as thawing snow makes for changeable flow rates in Tanhouse Brook. He keeps the flow at a safe level by raising and lowering a huge sluice built into the dam using a massive spanner we keep specially for the job. Nigel’s iPhone became victim to the cold snap during one of these visits, when he leaned over to work on the sluice only for the phone to slip out of his top pocket and disappear into the icy depths of the pond forever!

Snow thaw filling Tanhouse Brook. Photo @Ladybirdsu

The excitement of a New Year beginning has been tempered somewhat by our new Covid restrictions, with all of England now placed in Tier 5. Roughly, we’re back to the lockdown we had during the spring of 2020. Nigel has been wading through the latest guidelines to see what we can and cannot do around the gardens. It is very much a game of ‘wait and see!’

Snow scene on the long path. Photo: @Ladybirdsu

Our specialist scaffolders are back on site, working on the footings for the new temporary roof. I’m annoyed with myself that a pair of box cones (Buxus sempervivens) that have stood guard by the front door in repurposed pig troughs for over ten years have become trapped by the growing structure of steel. I meant to have them relocated before the scaffolders started work. Alas, I was not quick enough, and the two bushes a destined to be imprisoned for a good while, unless we can work out a way of breaking them out!

Scoffold footings for the temporary roof . Photo @ladybirdsu

In memorium

Everyone at Betley Court was saddened this week to hear of the sudden passing of Philip Snow, a resident here for many years.  Prior to the fire of 2019, Philip lived in Fletcher House, and was a familiar sight around the gardens, and further afield in the village. He had a gentlemanly way about him, and his calm, mannered presence added greatly to the social cohesion at Betley Court. He was an avid photographer, documenting his travels both here and in the US. In 2020 he published a series of colouring books, based on his travel photos, including one inspired by the beauty he found within the grounds of Betley Court.

Such was his love of the village and its people, that following the fire, Philip found a new flat in Betley that came with access to a garden, much to his delight. When Covid restrictions allowed, I sent over a car boot-full of plants including lavender, crocosmia (Montbretia) and rosemary. He was pleased with the Montbretia, a favourite flower of his, and one that prompted memories of childhood perennial borders. The lavender was gratefully received too, to replace neglected plants that had died in the garden. I included other plants he was not familiar with, but he promised me he’d have fun finding out how they grew.

From time to time, Philip sent garden guide books over for us to read, hoping they’d provide inspiration for our ‘open garden’ endeavours. In fact, his guide to Sissinghurst Gardens lies on my kitchen dresser – I had meant to return it to him before Christmas. He was hugely encouraging of our project at Betley Court, and was always amongst the first to volunteer on open days, happy to don a hi-viz jacket, take entrance fees and talk with visitors. I’d always envisaged he’d be amongst the first to return when we rebuilt, but sadly that isn’t to be. Rest in peace, gardening friend.

All best wishes

Ladybird Su