CORNWALL GARDENS TRUST

NEWSLETTER

Autumn 2011

Editor DFJ Pearce Registered Charity Number 800887

The Chairman’s Report

Like many other small organizations we are realizing that money is short as carefully invested funds are not paying so much and, for the time being, we will have to husband our resources carefully. The major part of our expenditure is given to bursaries and schools, this year Cape Cornwall School and two primaries, St Francis, Falmouth, and Weeth, Camborne have benefited from funding. The Tanner and McCrone Trusts’ generous grants help to cover these. It would be a great pity if we could not continue these worthwhile projects and, of course, by doing so continue our charitable work.

On a cheerful note: the Gyllyngdune Project in Falmouth, to which the CGT contributed, is now completed and well worth a visit; our terracotta pot can be admired. Several members attended the shell-work workshop which was organized on the site. We have also heard that the Lobb Brothers’ cottage near Devoran has a new owner who will be sympathetic to the historical importance of this property.

The garden visit programme has just come to an end and has been well supported though like many bigger gardens the number of visitors has been slightly down. Elisabeth Walker has heroically assisted with the stewarding despite having had a hip operation. Next year’s programme is complete so please encourage members to come and bring a friend. Once again we must thank those garden owners who generously give their time and hospitality.

An interesting new venture is that there is now a CGT lecture [and lecturers!] on historic Cornish gardens which can be taken to community groups. Please tell us if you know of a group that would be interested. Such an event would help to publicise the work of the Trust. (see page 7)

The Working in Partnership feasibility study undertaken to examine the advantages or disadvantages of the AGT working together with the Garden Museum, the Garden History Society and the Parks and Gardens Data Services has recently reported back. No final conclusion as to how each organization might cooperate and adapt in order to be more effective has been reached, but it was agreed that uniting skills and resources would give these organizations a more powerful voice.

In June, AGT Chairman Sally Walker informed Trusts that the AGT was considering ways in which the CGT’s could help the Garden History Society. An area in which the CGTs and the GHS share a common interest is in commenting on those planning issues that could have an effect on historic parks, gardens and green spaces. The GHS is finding it increasingly difficult to comment on the large number of these planning applications and it is suggested that the CGT’s might engage with some of the more routine consultations. Obviously this will need more deliberation as not all CGT’s have planning officers or feel competent to deal with these issues but, in the light of the Government’s initiative to encourage local authorities to be less restrictive towards building applications, it will become an important issue.

 

I wish all members a very happy Christmas,

Angela Stubbs.

 

 

Visit to the Mill House, Pendoggett on 7^th June

The garden of the Mill House at Pendoggett, home of Trish and Jeremy Gibson for the last 8 years, has been developed within a small valley cut into rather open countryside by a small stream that used to power the mill. The value of shelter from the notorious Atlantic wind provided by this valley, and which has allowed the development of this beautiful garden, was well illustrated on the day of our visit; as we walked down the hill from the car park towards a small wicket gate, the fierce wind gradually diminished until we forgot about it! As we entered the garden, at about the midpoint and just below the house, we began to realise the treat that was in store for us; facing us as we crossed the stream was the ‘summer garden’, created just two and a half years ago, consisting of a semi-formal ‘parterre’ with four symmetrically arranged beds surrounding a central circle of granite set into the ground, each bed edged with yew hedge. Above the summer garden, over a grey painted trellis climbed scented roses, clematis and sweet peas. But it was the colour coordination of the planting in the beds that was so striking - shades of purple, nepeta, linaria, and aquilegias as well as cornflowers and sweet rocket all added to this purple and mauve haze alleviated with similarly airy white flowers. The effect was quite stunning!

From there we moved on to the terrace in front of the house - a stone building that replaced the original mill house - which is essentially a spring garden, but still had plenty of interest with ceanothus, wisteria and magnolia on the house wall and many smaller plants in raised beds. Walking round the house, the courtyard garden, where we were later to have tea, is formed in the space made in the inner-angle of the L-shaped house; this space, sheltered on the outside by a range of conifers, has been given a formal structure with paved paths separating the wedge-shaped beds that contain variously a sundial and staddlestones; these beds have interesting plantings of more sensitive plants, such as Acacia baileyana purpurea and Cercis canadiensis; entrance to the courtyard from the drive is backed by trellis covered with purple-leaved shrubs including two Acers.

Moving further up the garden and onto the drive, we saw the former mill-pond, now much enlarged to be a small lake with a central island; planting round the edge includes the large gunnera, candelabra primulas, persicaria, and various unusual willows such as Salix udensis ‘Sekka’, a liquidamber, and some bamboos. The wide grass border, separating the pond from the drive, has a number of island beds containing an interesting range of plants that display not only the magnificent colour sense shown in the planting elsewhere in the garden, but here exploits contrasts in shape and texture; for instance the dramatic Rosa omeiensis pteracantha with its huge blood red thorns planted alongside a Buddleia globosa with its dangling orange bobbles, Cotinus coggygria ‘Grace’and Geranium ‘Patricia’; in another bed Trish has enhanced the golden impact of stems of the giant bamboo, Phyllostachys sinarundinaria aureosuculata by removing the lower leaflets.

Across the drive we entered the ‘long walk’ down the east side of the garden, which is separated from the adjacent field by a newly planted escallonia hedge which looked very healthy; this elicited a vigorous discussion amongst several members who all have escallonia hedges which are not at all healthy, possibly due to fungal disease. This walk led down, past the summer garden, the greenhouse and herb garden; in the apple orchard were two of the several French oak seats that Jeremy insisted that we try out; he maintained that they were the most comfortable wooden seat that we would find - he was right! The path continued further down the valley and crossed the stream through a small wooded area to reach the bottom field where there is some soft fruit and one lonely chicken* - the sole survivor of repeated fox predations. We returned to the courtyard garden for a very welcome cup of tea and home - made cakes. We were awestruck by the amount that Trish and Jeremy have achieved in creating such a beautiful and original garden in such a comparatively short time. (Alison A Newton)

P.S. Trish tells me that ‘the lonely cockerel has now been joined by six 16-week-old chickens.’

Visit to Treviades Barton on July 9^th

We met our hosts, Robert and Mo Gunlack, in front of Treviades Barton – Barton, we were told, being smaller than a Manor but more important than a farmhouse. The house dated originally from C13th. The later additions were completed beside the south facing Georgian granite front, looking out over the small front garden, a semi-circle of grass with neat borders, towards the Helford River. A lot of work of restoration and improvement had been done to the house and latterly the garden by the present owners. Between the house and the lawn was a splendidly wide cobbled path, laid by Robert with cobbles from a Penzance street. We split into two groups for the garden tour and went up the granite steps at the side of the house. At the higher level the garden opened out into a large grassed area, formerly a tennis court, flanked on one side by a long Agapanthus border, just coming into flower. Robert has ambitions to dig a large pond in a sunken garden in this area – Mo isn’t so sure! On up to a productive fruit and vegetable garden and down through a planting of young cherries and a walnut to the restored summer house. This is another example of Robert’s craftsmanship with a pitched slate roof replacing the original corrugated and with a circle of cobbles in front surrounding a well head. We walked back towards the house under a clematis arch, through the double borders of the shades of pink rose garden and under a stone arch having its lintel raised to allow reasonable headroom. We then went just up the road to the Potager Garden and Nursery for a welcome cup of tea. (Elisabeth Walker)

Visit to Potager Garden on July 9^th

This is a former nursery abandoned in the 1980s. Dan Thomas and Peter Skerrett discovered and bought the 4½-acres of overgrown nursery and decrepit greenhouses in 1999 and have worked to clear and restore the plot in a restrained and natural way. Some of the old nursery stocks of trees and plants rooted through pots have been retained, with new informal planting among them. There is a well tended potager garden of fruit and vegetables, grown organically, the produce from which is used in the café. The café itself is housed in one of the old wooden glasshouses with grape vine overhead. Here we enjoyed tea and biscuits. Mark Harris is now looking after the enterprise as Dan and Peter have moved on to other things. He told us that several artists, craftsmen and boat builders have workshops on the site and one new large workshop building had been put up lower down the site.

 

 

 

 

We all enjoyed the visit and the calm and relaxed atmosphere of the place – hammocks amongst the trees, games to play – in the one remaining glasshouse, a table tennis table shared the space with enormous palms, an Actinidia vine, rows of beans and peppers and a propagating area.

(Elisabeth Walker)

 

Visit to Woodland Cottage Gardens, Tregrehan Mills on 21^st July

The garden is situated on a west facing steep slope in a sheltered valley. Terry and Cassie Corby have owned the cottage and its 3/4 acre garden since 2002 and after much hard work and commitment have improved the soil and put in lawns and island beds and a grotto with mature tree ferns. Very large quantities of composted bark have been used which has greatly aided water retention. The island beds and borders contain a wide range of herbaceous perennials including many varieties of hosta and, most importantly, hemerocallis where they have about 250 varieties. About 1/4 of these are new USA hybrids imported from the Florida/Georgia area of the States where plants can be grown from seed to flowering in one year. Woodland Cottage does not hold a National Collection because it does not cultivate 75% of the older/traditional varieties that appear in the paper edition of the RHS Plantfinder. Skilful planting ensures that the hemerocallis do not overwhelm the garden but fit comfortably into a very well designed ground which also contains a pond. In 2007 about six acres of adjoining neglected woodland were bought and clearing dead and neglected trees revealed the engine house and dressing floors of Wheal Joney (Tregrehan Consols) tin mine and the nearby Wheal Carlyon clay dry and settling tanks. Add in woodland bluebells in spring and a substantial stone quarry and it doesn’t get much more Cornish than this. Walkways have been installed to improve access and a Cornish theme is continued as the collection of azaleas and rhododendrons has been extended into the wood.

 

We were very well looked after during our visit and our thanks are due to all the family for their hospitality and answering all our questions. The garden has its own very professional website at www.woodlandcottage.weebly.com showing many photographs taken throughout the seasons. The garden is occasionally open under the NGS. (Jim Lewis)

 

Visit to Kennall Vale House on 12^th October

A small but enthusiastic group of 15 CGT members met in autumn sun at Kennall Vale House, the site of a former gunpowder factory, situated in a rocky valley, with allied manager’s house and the remains of industrial buildings used in that industry.

 

Mr Wilson Holt kindly showed us round the 6 acre garden he has created over the past 17 years from this rather romantic wild site. The varied site, with river, marshy areas, rock outcrops, meadow and sheltered former walled orchard, has been used to plant a huge range of rare and exotic trees and shrubs which are flourishing there, despite the predations of deer and rabbits.

We followed gravel paths, always aware of the small river rushing along bisecting the garden, down past two ponds to the large wildlife pond created beside a further acreage of wild meadow, planted with rare lime, elm and birch. The use of old granite and well placed lichen covered “recycled” stones contributed, together with the plantings of some old rhododendrons and more recent camellias, tree ferns and conifers to a feeling of stability and age in the garden. The sheltered walled area, walls originally built as blast-baffles, has a Victorian dipping pond it, and an old apple tree has mistletoe flourishing in it. It has now been grassed over and planted round the walls with herbaceous borders which share this sheltered warm area with rare shrubs. Bark and winter shape are further features throughout the garden, with many varieties of Acer, as well as rare conifers.

 

 

The visit was much enjoyed by everyone and Elisabeth Walker thanked Mr Wilson Holt on behalf of the group. An added bonus of CGT visits was the opportunity to discover other local “attractions” including the Kennall Vale nature reserve adjacent to the garden, and nearby a Greek Orthodox chapel!

(Lucie Nottingham)

 

Garden visits planned for 2012 include:

Wednesday February 8^th 11am Tregoose at Grampound – a 2-acre garden round an old farmhouse with an outstanding collection of species snowdrops together with early flowering shrubs and bulbs planted throughout the woodland area.

Thursday March 29^th 10-30am Penwarne at Mawnan Smith – a large and varied garden planted with interesting and colourful trees and shrubs. The extensive woodland garden has ponds, a leat and even a cascade. There is also a walled garden, once the site of a medieval chapel, a fruit garden and duck pond.

Tuesday April 24^th 2-30pm Estray Park at Budock – a 3-acre spring garden of historical interest is in the process of being restored. There is a very colourful display of camellia and rhododendron planted on the lawns around a stream.

Thursday May 10^th 2-30pm Carclew House at Perranarworthal - here the new owners are restoring and replanting this historic Grade П listed garden which had become overgrown and neglected but which was once a feature c.1750 of William Lemon’s Carclew estate.

Thursday May 17^th 1-30 for 2pm – the CGT Annual General Meeting at Ladock Village Hall with an invitation to visit the 4-acre garden at Ladock House – the home of the Holborow family for tea.

Thursday May 24^th 2-30pm Lamorran House Garden at St Mawes – a stunning terraced garden laid out in Mediterranean style overlooking Falmouth Bay complete with water features and temples.

Wednesday June 13^th 10-30am Long Hay at Treligga, Delabole – a plant lover’s garden belonging to CGT members Bett & Mick Hartley. This colourful cottage garden set on the North Coast is, despite the harsh environment, enhanced by its sea views. There are also other features to discover such as vegetable plots, a copse and a wildflower meadow.

Saturday July 7^th 2pm Trelawne Manor and Trelawne Barton near Looe where Carole Vivian, the owner of Trelawne Barton built c.1690 by Bishop Trelawney, and the expert on the Trelawney family, will conduct a tour tracing the outlines of the once flourishing and extensive gardens of the Manor c.1450, now a holiday park. The party will return to Carole’s productive and colourful garden at the Barton for tea.

Tuesday July 24^th 2-30pm Hidden Valley Gardens at Treesmill where there is an opportunity of a private tour with the owner, Patricia Howard, of these very colourful gardens set in a secluded valley and which have an exceptional collection of late flowering herbaceous perennials.

Wednesday August 8^th 2-30pm Tregarthen Vean at Mylor Downs – an inspirational plantsmans’ garden beautifully landscaped was developed 20 years ago on the site of a market garden. The borders, planted in the mid nineties, have prolific and varied collection of late summer flowering plants with colourful perennials set amongst unusual trees and shrubs.

 

A special feature of garden visits organised by the trust is the personally conducted tour by garden owners who often donate any proceedings to charity. Some of the gardens are open to the public; with visits by CGT members, prices often include teas and the opportunity to talk with the garden owner.

 

How about a coach trip? -

NOW VISIT CGT Website: www.cornwallgardenstrust.org.uk

 

Gyllyngdune gardens restoration and shell grotto workshops

Gyllyngdune gardens in Falmouth, has over the past two years had an interesting and exciting restoration. Obtaining £2.3million heritage lottery funding is not easy and involved much hard work in historical research and form filling together with being able to justify how the necessary criteria were going to be met. One of these criteria was raising awareness of the venue, involving people in the restoration work and the revival of historic features.

 

Gyllyngdune estate was built in 1837 for General William Jessor Coope, who was tragically killed when his coach ran him over. The estate was left in 1838 to his son, the Rev. WJ Coope a Falmouth vicar. The stone for the original house was hewn out of the seaward side of the garden overlooking Falmouth bay. This eventually created a wonderful sunken garden adding mystery and intrigue to the lower garden. Within it is a shell grotto well hidden in the bottom and two arch covered seats on the path going down, which all have wonderful Victorian shell decorations covering the walls and ceilings. Records show that it was Rev. Coope’s daughters who created the decoration in the folly and it was a common pastime for Victorian young ladies.

However, over the years these features had become vandalised and the area was rather tired and unkempt. The heritage lottery funds included professional restoration of these grottos. There was an opportunity to apply to take part in a Shell grotto Conservation master class via workshops for a maximum of 10 people, who were interested in heritage, gardens and heritage crafts. I applied without hesitation having had a very close affinity with the gardens for several years. The locked away shell grotto in the bottom had been a real hidden gem that I would show many of my friends who visited Falmouth. To actually take part in the restoration was a real privilege.

 

Over the two weeks at the end of June 2011, the ten people worked two days each on a 1:1 workshop with Lawrence and Sue Kelland who are experienced stone and shell conservation specialists. We were taught how to use lime mortar, how to remove damaged shell, most of which were the original ones, and how to select new shells and attach them on the walls and ceilings in different patterns. It is very unusual for novices like me to have this opportunity to have hands-on experience, work normally only being carried out by experts. Having been shown the health and safety equipment which included sturdy footwear, high visibility jackets, hard hats, safety glasses and gloves for certain jobs, Jacqui Owen and I donned them all and after a detailed briefing set to and removed the shells which were beyond use. Those that could be kept were left and matching shells used to restore the sections to their former beauty. Some parts were already denuded of shells by previous vandalism or neglect. These were sectioned into areas of about A4 size. The different participants were able to design and produce new shell patterns to be frozen in time in the walls and ceilings of the grottos.

I worked on days three and six so saw the ongoing progress in the upper area. On another day, two volunteers undertook the backbreaking job of clearing out the rubbish, leaves and dirt from the floor of the lower grotto. About four inches of dirt and debris was removed to reveal a beautiful floor that had not been seen for many years.

 

It is a real privilege to have had this opportunity and to have left my lasting mark on such a historic piece of local heritage in Falmouth. What fun for my grandchildren to view in future years?

If you are interested in visiting the gardens they are now open to the public again and have wheelchair access as well as a lovely cafè in which to savour the culinary delights either before or after spending time exploring both the restored historical features and the new planting which has so carefully been selected to enhance the gardens themselves.

 

If interested in getting involved volunteering in some way at the gardens then look on the www.gyllyngdunegardens.co.uk or contact Sarah Speigler Williams the Visitor and Education Officer Sarah, directly on [email protected] (Hilary Bosher)

 

 

CGT Website www.cornwallgardenstrust.org.uk

A visit to the website gives an opportunity to browse through coloured photographs of plants and garden visits made by CGT members. The website also has a page for News Items, so if anyone has any bits they wish to advertise before, or in addition to, the regular Newsletter, (seen in colour on the website), please send your contribution to:

the CGT Secretary - [email protected]

 

and finally…….

David Pearce, Cornwall Gardens Trust Newsletter editor, is happy to receive snippets of information from members for publication in future Newsletters. These may be on any garden related topic, technical, personal experiences, humorous moments, photos, jokes, cartoons etc. Please send articles to Sweet Thymes, Rose, Truro TR4 9PQ either by snail-mail or preferably by e-mail to [email protected]