Happy Saint Patrick's day!
The stunning header photo is curtesy of Michael Nind, the boss at MD Scaffolding. He spotted a rain cloud heading for Betley Court, and took this astonishing shot of a rainbow arcing over. Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate either an Irish leprechaun or the pot of gold at either end of the rainbow, but we’ll keep an eye out! A pot of good would come in handy with the expense of the rebuild. My Irish granny, Catherine Wagner, always thought rainbows were a sign of hope, so this photo of one hanging over Betley Court has taken on a special resonance for me.
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| The scaffold wrap envelope, almost completed |
We’re reaching the end of the construction of our temporary roof by the skilful scaffolding team. Virtually everything is now covered in scaffolding wrap. Earlier today, Michael and co were constructing a guttering system to manage rainwater from the roof. Had they not, villagers would have been treated to a waterfall display every time it rained. Actually, that might have looked quite impressive - given people waiting at the bus stop something to look at!
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| Part of the new guttering system, a bit 'Heath Robinson' but will do the job. |
Elsewhere in the gardens, Shane has begun the first cut of
the year on our managed grass paths and formal lawns. He sets the blades on the
mowers high, and ‘tops’ the grass, leaving the cuttings on the lawns. Worms
take it back into the soil, or birds collect the material for nests. We don’t
kill moss or apply weedkiller on our grass areas, for both ecological and
economical reasons. We know that for many species in Betley Court Gardens, this
approach benefits them, and complements other habitats we’ve encouraged, such
as habitat piles and dead hedges.
I was amused to see Monty Don wade into the lawncare debate this week, outraging certain quarters of the horticultural world by advocating a less clinical approach to mowing. He is a brave man! It is an area of gardening that people have very firm ideas about what they see as right. The sight of dandelions makes some people feel quite uncomfortable. Others enjoy these ephemeral ‘weeds’, and derive great pleasure from the knowledge that they are an important food source for bees and other insects. For my part, I know the moss on the formal lawns traps little pockets of water for insects to drink. In summer the insect population that this water source sustains provides ample food for the swallow and swifts that dart back and forth over the lawn. On a warm evening, it is the most heartening of sights, so we’ll be sticking with our relaxed attitude to mowing.
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| Our native woodland grass area |
Finally, a short story from the archives of the Evening Sentinel, from 169 years ago. It concerns a young man, named Henry Horton, a groom in the stables of Thomas Fletcher-Twemlow at Betley Court. Henry had visited nearby Barthomley on Friday 20th February 1852, “to attend a sale on his own account”. He borrowed a horse for the ride home from a Mr Williams who lived in Barthomley. Sadly, for some unknown reason, just over a mile into the 3.4-mile journey the horse threw him off in the village of Englesea Brook. The route is one I travel several times a week, a twisty English hedge-lined lane, with a steep decline into Englesea to a humpback bridge over the brook. Henry was found alive, but was so badly injured he’d passed away by next morning. As the tragedy happened just over the border in Cheshire, the death was reported to the Cheshire coroner, who returned a verdict of ‘accidental death’. He was just 28 years old, and due to be married in early March that same year.
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| The clipping from The Staffordshire Advertiser, 28th February 1852. |
I find myself wondering what became of Henry’s fiancé, and
if he had family in the area. They must have been devastated! Are there any
Hortons still living in the area that might be related? As a servant, Henry’s life
may well have passed unmarked beyond those who knew and loved him, had he not
died in such a tragic way, at such a young age, and a matter of days before his
wedding. As it is, his untimely death preserves his name in the newspaper
archives.
All best wishes
Ladybird Su
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