Sunshine, a beautiful peaceful setting and good company - the highlight of the gardening club’s year!

The final meeting of the gardening club’s 2024-25 calendar was the garden picnic which this year was held at the home of Laura and Andrew Jones in Glazeley, Bridgnorth. Laura and Andrew have been at the property for about three years. When they first arrived, the garden was very overgrown and neglected. It had previously been open to the public through the NGS garden scheme and it is clear to see that there were many interesting features which Laura is now bringing back to life.

As you enter the garden you are greeted by the gentle sound of water that is trickling into a pretty wildlife pond. It was a glorious day and Laura had laid the terrace out with plenty of shaded seating , much needed as the temperature was in the high 20s. As we strolled through the garden, we discovered the bog garden, beautiful trees which included a Sequoia with its stunning red bark and a vegetable plot with resident hens. There were many outbuildings, including two very impressive sheds which Andrew had built himself. There were also stables for Laura’s two ponies which have a paddock at the far end of the garden. The ponies are called Betty and Lucy and are mother and daughter. They are rescue ponies who Laura claims have now become very expensive garden ornaments!

Where Laura had begun developing borders, they are well stocked with carefully chosen English cottage garden plants like Centaurea macrocephala, standing tall with its lovely yellow flowers.
Where borders are still untamed there is evidence of wonderful well established perennials, like a lovely dark pink penstemon, just waiting to be tamed and cared for and Laura is certainly the gardener to do that.
Our garden tour was followed by cups of tea and a delicious shared afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones, cheese, savouries and of course plenty of homemade cake.
It was a delightful afternoon in glorious sunshine, in a beautiful peaceful setting with a chance to relax and chat with fellow gardeners. In many ways this is the highlight of our gardening club’s year.
The programme for 2025-56 is now being finalised and we have a number of exciting and varied speakers booked. Watch this space and next month I will provide details of what is to come. If you would like to know more about the gardening club, then please get in touch by emailing us on [email protected].
Bev Harris
Secretary