Exquisite garden events at Elite Hotels

The changing seasons in the UK are expressed most noticeably throughout our many gardens countryside landscapes.  This year, the gardens within the Elite Hotels Group, which covers Ashdown Park in East Sussex,Tylney Hall in Hampshire and Luton Hoo on the Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire border are open to the public at a series of themed events.

Event name: Luton Hoo NGS Garden Open Day
Date: Sunday 23 July
Start and finish time: 11am – 4pm

Location, including county: Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa, Bedfordshire

Details of event: Visitors will have the exclusive chance to visit Luton Hoo Hotel’s 1,065-acre estate at the National Garden Scheme open day, for just a £5 entry fee. Normally only open to hotel guests, the estate features gardens landscaped by Capability Brown,

meadows, woodland, lakes and nature trails all waiting to be explored.

Entry cost: £5

Event contact phone number and/or website: 01582 734437, www.lutonhoo.co.uk

Event name: Hanging Basket Workshops with Afternoon Tea at Ashdown Park

Date: Wednesday 24 May & Thursday 25 May

Start and finish time: Starting at 1pm

Location, including county: Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, Wych Cross, East Sussex

Details of event: Back by popular demand, Ashdown Park Hotel will be offering two hanging basket workshops in May led by its estate manager, Kevin Sweet. Guests at the events will get the chance to learn how to create their very own beautiful hanging baskets

as well as putting any gardening queries to Kevin. Afterwards, guests will enjoy a traditional afternoon tea including a variety of cakes, sandwiches and pastries.

Entry cost: £42.50

Event contact phone number and/or website: 01342 824988, www.ashdownpark.com

Event name: Ashdown Park NGS Garden Open Day

Date: Sunday 25 June

Start and finish time: Gardens open from 2pm

Location, including county: Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, Wych Cross, East Sussex

Details of event: Discover Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club’s beautiful estate and its gardens and parkland when they open for one day only for the NGS Open Day, with proceeds going to charity. The Parkland Garden consists of approximately 186 acres

of which 50 acres is ancient woodland and 40 acres grazing land, where wild deer roam freely. The parklands are cared for and maintained by Kevin Sweet, Estate Manager, who has worked at Ashdown Park Hotel for nearly 40 years.

Entry cost: £5

Event contact phone number and/or website: 01342 824988, www.ashdownpark.com

Event name: Tylney Hall NGS Garden Open Day

Date: Sunday 30 April, Sunday 11 June & Sunday 1 October

Start and finish time: 11am – 4pm

Location, including county: Tylney Hall Hotel, nr Hook, Hampshire

Details of event: In aid of the National Garden Scheme, Tylney Hall is offering a unique opportunity to walk around its 66 acres of beautifully manicured gardens. As well as exploring the gardens and woodlands, there will be a selection of plants available to

purchase and light refreshments served from midday.

Entry cost: £5

Event contact phone number and/or website: 01256 764881, www.tylneyhall.co.uk

Event name: Exclusive Garden Tours

Date: Year-round

Start and finish time: N/A

Location, including county: Tylney Hall Hotel, nr Hook, Hampshire

Details of event: Throughout 2017, Tylney Hall will be offering guests and visitors the chance to book an exclusive private tour of its grounds with estates manager, Paul Tattersdill. Having worked on the estate for 30 years, Paul is a fountain of knowledge

when it comes to the gardens at Tylney Hall and those on the tour will get the opportunity to learn more about the garden’s vast history and future plans.

Entry cost: On enquiry

Event contact phone number and/or website: 01256 764881, www.tylneyhall.co.uk

Garden Gathering is a brand new fundraising initiative for Parkinson’s UK – encouraging people to have ‘mini festivals’ in their gardens or open spaces this summer, raising money for vital research into Parkinson’s – a progressive neurological condition for which there is currently no cure.

Find out more here https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/content/garden-gathering

Make your own ‘Luxury Christmas Wreath’ with Fabienne Egger at Fetcham Park this December

Fabienne Egger Events & Wedding Flowers are delighted to confirm a *new* addition to their floristry courses with a weekend class designed to help you dress your home for Christmas. Held at Fetcham Park in Leatherhead, Surrey, Fabienne will be running two workshops teaching you how to create your very own Luxury Christmas Door Wreath on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December.

Fabienne brings a unique touch to her classes as she guides you through simple but effective designs that will make your house the most envied on the street. Creating beautiful arrangements at home does not require an in-depth knowledge of floristry. These afternoon classes will guide you step by step through simple and practical designs to create a stunning wreath for your front door.

It’s the perfect treat for flower enthusiasts, Christmas lovers and those wanting decorating inspiration this Christmas. Prices start at £75 per person and include the luxury wreath you created and a festive treat of mulled wine and mince pies on Saturday 3rd or for something a little more luxurious, a champagne afternoon tea on Sunday 4th of December for £105 per person.

Fabienne Egger, Director of Fabienne Egger Events & Wedding Flowers, comments: “With the festive season fast approaching, we’ve designed a unique course that will add a new dimension to your decorations for Christmas. All our courses are suitable for any level or experience and participants will end the day by taking home their beautiful flower displays as well as a new skill!”

Set in the spectacular Grade II listed house at Fetcham Park in Surrey, classes begin at 2pm and finish at approximately 5pm on Saturday and 6pm on Sunday. Participants booking the course by 26th November can get a discount of 10% by using the code CWWB16.

Fetcham Park in Surrey is not an average venue for Fabienne Egger Events & Wedding Flowers. The Grade II listed house was built in 1705, boasts designs by William Talman, murals by Louis Laguerre, whose work can also be seen at Blenheim Palace and Chatsworth, and gardens originally landscaped by George London. After centuries as a private home, it was bought by the family-owned Wilky Group in 1999 and is not only licensed for weddings but holds special events.

To book a course visit: www.fabienne-egger.co.uk or call 07702 464208.

AWARD-WINNING GARDEN DESIGNER JAMES BASSON DRAWS ON THE ECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF MALTA TO CREATE A GARDEN FOR M&G INVESTMENTS AT THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2017

M&G Investments, title sponsor of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has commissioned award-winning landscape designer James Basson as its garden designer for next year.

Taking inspiration from the unique Mediterranean landscape of Malta, the design for the M&G Garden 2017 draws on the ecological diversity and sustainability of the region, which acts a microcosm for the planet as a whole.

Malta has made significant inroads into dealing with its ecological challenges, such as scarcity of water, the need to recycle and composting: challenges that we all need to consider to protect the environment.

To bring this story to life, James has structured the garden within a quarry, each with its own ecology, from coastal to woodland. Two imposing monolithic pillars of Maltese limestone will form the centrepiece of the garden, with the remaining space separated into a series of unique microclimates.

Each space will reflect how nature has adapted to reclaim a man-made landscape, using a naturalistic planting style which provides texture and structure. From grasses, heathers and evergreens, the design bears all the hallmarks of a traditional Mediterranean garden, but with an innovative edge. This is the first time some of these plants will have been seen in the UK, thanks to the Maltese government giving James special permission to use them.

There will be some specific plants that are unique to Malta, showing off the incredible diversity of its ecologiesa: Euphorbia melitense, Darniella melitense, Limonium melitense, Mattiola incana subsp. Melitense. There is a strong amount of yellow and this is the predominant colour in the flowering plants in Maltese spring time.

James Basson, garden designer says:

“I am delighted to be working with M&G Investments to bring this garden to life. For ‘The M&G Garden’, I want to capture the principles of ecological sustainability and the urgent need for action to preserve the fragile balance of our planet. Designing for M&G has so far been a hugely enjoyable experience and I will be working with a fantastic team this year to bring the vision to life.”

Basson returns to RHS Chelsea following his gold award-winning Provence garden at RHS Chelsea in 2016. He will be working with Crocus with the support of the Gaia foundation in Malta, Filippi (France), CIancavare (Italy), Gaudissart (France) and Kelways (UK).

Jacqui Haskins, M&G Marketing Director says:

“2017 will be our eighth year as title sponsor of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and we’re thrilled as ever to be supporting this prestigious event. Sponsoring RHS Chelsea for this many years has enabled M&G to make a real difference in horticulture, particularly in helping to inspire more young people to get in to gardening. ‘The M&G Garden’ is a symbol of sustainability and solutions that stand the test of time, themes that reflect M&G Investments’ own approach. We are confident that James’ creative design will once again create a show-stopping garden for all to enjoy.”

2017 is M&G’s eighth year as the title sponsor of RHS Chelsea Flower Show. M&G Investments has been managing investments for individuals and institutions since 1931.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from 23-27 May 2017.

Girl Guide Gardeners at Arundel Castle

Members of the Guide section from Girlguiding West Sussex have enjoyed a money can’t buy experience at Arundel Castle – a sleepover in the Keep!

The 15 Guides were invited to spend a night at the Castle in thanks for their stellar efforts in helping the gardens team plant its spring bulbs.

The Gardens will welcome larger displays in the new year than ever seen before at Arundel Castle, with more than 86,000 blooms planted, including a record 36,000 tulips which will form its renowned Annual Tulip Festival.

The flowers are expected to blossom in time for the Castle’s reopening on 01 April 2017, meaning that visitors will be greeted by a dazzling array of colours and floral scents.

This year is the fourth time that the Guides have contributed to the planting efforts at Arundel Castle, a task which helps towards the completion of their Baden Powell Challenge Award – the highest award in the Guide section of Girlguiding.

Guide Leader Gillian Almond commented: “Arundel Castle is a fabulous and memorable venue for the girls participating in the Baden Powell Challenge. It is fantastic to be able to support them on their journey and be part of their infectious enthusiasm for guiding.”

Head Gardener Martin Duncan added: “It is so rewarding to see young people taking an interest in our gardens – and learning skills that can benefit their gardens at home!

“We look forward to welcoming the Guides each year, they are a real credit to their unit. The hard work that goes into planting our bulbs in the winter is returned ten-fold when the beautiful flowers blossom in the spring. We look forward to inviting the girls back next year to see the fruits of their labour.”

Arundel Castle will reopen to visitors on 01 April 2017. For more information, please visit www.arundelcastle.org.

BOURNEMOUTH PUB IS CROWNED BRITAIN’S BEST BEER GARDEN

The Chaplin’s & The Cellar Bar in Bournemouth has beaten over 70 of the UK’s most vibrant and picturesque pubs to be crowned Britain’s Best Beer Garden 2016.

The winner received the highest number of votes in the competition organised by small and medium sized business insurance provider, SME Insurance (SMEi), which specialises in the pub and hospitality sector.

The Chaplin’s & The Cellar Bar claimed the top spot, closely followed by theBelle Vue Tavern in Kent and the Maytime Inn in Oxford.  The general public voted for their favourite beer garden along with an independent judging panel, comprising industry experts from pub trade magazine The Morning Advertiser, the British Beer and Pub Association, and Two Thirsty Gardeners’ blog.

The winner and following Top 10 gallery of entries can be viewed in full athttps://www.smeinsurance.com/britains-best-beer-garden/:

1. Chaplin’s & Cellar Bar – Bournemouth (winner)
2. The Belle Vue Tavern – Ramsgate in Kent (2nd)
3. The Maytime Inn – Asthall in Oxfordshire (3rd)
4. The Queens Arms  – Somerset (finalist)
5. Barley Mow – Portsmouth (finalist)
6. Badger & Co – Edinburgh (finalist)
7. The Johnson Arms – Nottingham (finalist)
8. The Old Horse – Leicester (finalist)
9. The Kings Head – Laxfield in Suffolk (finalist)
10. Black Bull Inn – Preston (finalist)

In addition to being crowned Britain’s Best Beer Garden 2016, Chaplin’s & The Cellar Bar will receive a professional photo shoot of their pub garden, a commemorative plaque to mark their achievement and vouchers up to £500, to use towards treating their staff. The two runners-up will also receive both a plaque and vouchers.

Jonathan Webber, Commercial Director of SMEi commented: “We would like to raise a glass to Chaplin’s & The Cellar Bar on winning this prestigious accolade and wowing both the general public and our independent panel of judges with what is a truly eye-catching beer garden. Competition was fierce, with all ten finalists deserving high praise for making it such a close-run battle.

“The quality of entries was very high and simply underlines how much time and effort publicans put into creating a memorable beer garden. The standard has been set for next year!”

Daniel Woolfson, Food & Drink Writer for The Morning Advertiser and competition judge, commented: “I had to choose Chaplin’s because there is something overwhelmingly endearing about the mock stained glass decorations and out-there wall murals. It even looks like the set of a David Lynch film.”

Nick Moyle, Director for Two Thirsty Gardeners and competition judge, also said: “We were highly impressed by Chaplin’s & The Cellar Bar’s creative use of interesting paraphernalia, with a good mix of healthy looking plants. I can imagine meeting some great characters over a few pints in this garden.”

SMEi provides a wide range of specialist commercial insurance products specifically designed to meet the needs of a wide range of sectors, including the pub trade industry. For further information, visitwww.smeinsurance.com

Director & Protagonist of New Film ‘Dare To Be Wild’ Issue Call For the UK & Ireland to Plant Just One Tree in their Gardens this Autumn to Help Reverse Climate Change

UK, LONDON: Wednesday 21^st September 2016 – Inspiring environmentalist film directorVivienne DeCourcy, and Chelsea Flower Show gold medalist Mary Reynolds (the central protagonist of Vivienne’s new film DARE TO BE WILD), have partnered with The Woodland Trust and are today announcing a call to action for everyone to plant one tree in their garden this Autumn/Winter to help reverse climate change. DARE TO BE WILD celebrates its UK Premiere tonight at London’s Notting Hill Gate Cinema and will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from this Friday 23 September.

After experiencing family tragedy, former US corporate finance attorney Vivienne gave up her law practice with the primary goal to raise awareness for the wilderness through her directorial debut. Now, with the protagonist of her first feature film, Mary Reynolds, she is supporting the UK’s Tree Charter (which is championed by The Woodland Trust) and hoping to raise awareness of the difference that people can make to climate change, simply by planting one tree in their garden.

Director of DARE TO BE WILD Vivienne DeCourcy explains: “Evidence has shown that planting trees could help to slow or reverse climate change. Right now humans are producing carbon dioxide faster than the environment can absorb it, which could be catastrophic for the whole world. This is not helped by the mass deforestation in some countries – the devastating effect of which is highlighted in the desertification of places like Ethiopia, a plight which is highlighted in Dare To Be Wild through Mary’s real life experience of supporting reforestation in the country. By simply planting a tree in your garden to absorb carbon dioxide, we can fight against one of the greatest threats to this world and protect our environment for future generations.”

In cinemas from Friday, DARE TO BE WILD is a romantic adventure story about the landscape designer Mary Reynolds, who believes we can preserve and re-generate wild nature – and in so doing – save ourselves.  The film tells the inspirational true story of Mary Reynolds’ very quick rise from rank outsider to winner of a Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2002. She believes that if we experience the atmosphere of wild nature in our own back yard we will be more likely to protect the wilderness.

Chelsea Flower Show gold medalist, Mary Reynolds said:

“Hawthorns are sentinel trees. They grow very quickly in their initial years and their thorny stems are designed to protect the more delicate growth of larger parent trees such as oak or ash from wind and grazing damage. Hawthorns are one of natures guards, or protectors. They retain a strong energy of a warrior, the warrior spirit of nature. We need that energy to rise up in all of us now. We need to become natures guardians, her sentinels, as those in power are not playing their part. Embrace the spirit of the hawthorn and become a sentinel in natures army. Plant trees, it is one of the most gentle and powerful things you can do. Specifically plant locally sourced native trees to provide future sanctuaries for all the creatures that live above and below the soil.”

Matt Larsen-Daw of the Woodland Trust explains how this film highlights the deep-rooted connection that people have for the natural wonders around them:

“It is no exaggeration to say that we are at a crisis point for the UK’s trees and woods – a perfect storm of threats, changing lifestyles and apathy. Trees and woods improve life for people in so many ways, and yet their true value is rarely recognised. As a result, they are disappearing from our lives and landscapes due to man-made and natural threats, and a lack of commitment to planting new trees and woods for the future. Beneath the surface, however, I believe there is a deep-rooted love of trees and woods that just needs to be re-awakened and made visible. That’s why the Woodland Trust is leading more than 50 organisations in calling for a Charter for Trees, Woods and People to bring trees to the centre of decision-making and public consciousness where they belong.

“We hope that audiences will go and see Dare To Be Wild at the cinema. This beautiful film illustrates the transformative power of nature on an individual, and I am sure will cause many people to reflect on their own connection to the trees and other natural wonders around them. The aim of the Tree Charter campaign is to get people talking about how trees touch their lives. We are delighted that Vivienne DeCourcy and Mary Reynolds are supporting us in doing this.”

Vivienne and Mary are asking people to share pictures of their newly planted trees on their own social media sites with the hashtag #DTBW

DARE TO BE WILD is in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 23 September.

www.facebook.com/daretobewildmovie

https://twitter.com/darewild

www.instagram.com/daretobewildmovie

Haskins Garden Centre hosts Bulb Festival this autumn

Haskins Garden Centre is hosting a Bulb Festival throughout autumn, to celebrate the fanfare of colours provided by bulb planting.

Starting now, the festival will highlight bulb flower varieties and demonstrate that there is a colour to suit everyone’s taste. In particular, the festival will showcase ‘Tulip Queensland,’ Haskins’ bulb of the year. The Tulip Queensland is a soft-pink fringed variety, with long-lasting double flowers that make a perfect cut flower for a vase.

More than 300 different varieties of bulbs are available to buy at Haskins, including some unusual varieties such as Daffodil ‘Green Eyes,’ Dwarf Iris ‘Blue Note’ and Anemone ‘Bordeaux.’

Planting bulbs throughout autumn is the perfect antidote to winter. Bulbs typically flower from February to May with the general sequence being Iris, Crocus, Daffodil and then Tulip.

Alasdair Urquhart, plant advisor at Haskins Garden Centre in Ferndown, said: “During the festival, customers can learn how to plant bulbs and how to achieve a blooming gorgeous garden by next spring. Now is the time to be planting bulbs for a vibrant colour display.

“With all the varieties of bulbs available, you can choose your colour scheme, create a riot of colour or keep it simple by planting contrasting colours.”

Haskins Garden Centres is located in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone and Snowhill in West Sussex. For more information, visit www.haskins.co.uk.

Gardening couple shortlisted for Outstanding Contribution,

Historic England Angels Award

West Dean Gardens, Near Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 ORX

www.westdeangardens.org.uk

Image captions (L to R): West Dean Walled Kitchen Garden; Jim Buckland and Sarah Wain, Head Gardeners; a Victorian glasshouse at West Dean Grdens prior to restoration circa 1992.

Head Gardeners at West Dean, husband and wife team, Jim Buckland and Sarah Wain have been shortlisted for their Outstanding Contribution; Historic England Angels Awards 2016. West Dean Gardens are marking ‘25 Years’ since Jim and Sarah began transforming the derelict 19th century landscape in the wake of the Great Storms of 1987. In the years since 1991, they have overseen tremendous changes which have brought the 92-acre site international respect for both the quality and variety of horticultural practice. Founded by Andrew Lloyd Webber and supported by his Foundation, the Historic England Angel Awards celebrate the efforts of individuals and local groups all over the country who put hours of hard work and enthusiasm into saving derelict or damaged historic landmarks and bringing them back to life. The winners will be presented with their awards at a glittering ceremony at the Palace Theatre in London on the evening of Monday 31 October 2016.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: “This year’s shortlist shows that heritage angels come in many guises and all are dedicated to saving and sharing our spectacular historic environment.”

A major project was the renovation of the 13 Victorian glasshouses. Inspired by the BBC’s Victorian Kitchen Garden (1987), Jim and Sarah’s first project was to restore the Walled Kitchen Garden to a semblance of its earlier glory, including a two-year restoration of 13 magnificent Victorian glasshouses. Designed by Foster & Pearson between 1895 and 1901, they are the jewel in the crown of the walled garden and some of the few working glasshouses in the UK.

As part of The Edward James Foundation, a charitable trust, equally important was a design that facilitated maintenance with limited resources to ensure sustainability. Jim and Sarah determined to work within the historic framework and build on its diverse characteristics, adding their own contemporary contributions as had previous generations.

Further projects over a lifetime’s work has involved the rebuild of a 300-foot Edwardian Pergola, designed by Harold Peto and in pieces on the floor after storm damage; the re-design of a Sunken Garden; establishing a fruit collection of 100 varieties of apples, including many heritage varieties; the transformation of an overgrown Spring and Woodland Garden, and rebuilding the Regency period flint bridges with much of the work being carried out in-house and the redevelopment of the 50 acres St Roches arboretum.

Jim and Sarah head up a team of seven permanent gardeners, 40 volunteers (around eight per day), including international volunteers and a Historic and Botanic Gardens Training Programme trainee. Passing on their knowledge and skills is an important element of their work. The team have undertaken everything from hard landscaping, tarmacking, metal fabrication and the vast bulk of arboricultural work, in addition to the comprehensive range of horticultural activities.

A photographic display illustrating the highlights of 25 Years of Glorious Gardening is open until the end of October in the renovated ‘mushroom shed’ at West Dean Gardens and runs until the end of October. Free entry with a ticket to West Dean Gardens

“What a beautiful garden! I came all the way from the US to see it.” Andrea Wright, New York, USA.

Visitors this summer have included travellers from India, Australia, France, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Canada and America.