Summer 2009
CORNWALL GARDENS TRUST
NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2009
Registered Charity Number 800887
Editor DFJ Pearce
2009 AGM Chairman’s Address
I am pleased to confirm that Sir Ferrers Vyvan has very kindly agreed to become our new Vice President, and I should like to express our grateful thanks for all the support and encouragement that The Lord St Levan has given to the trust over the many years that he occupied that position. I am also pleased to announce that Sue Pring is to be Vice Chairman and Conservation Officer. During last year, we managed to recruit 13 new members, but unfortunately lost 29 others for various reasons. Please try to recruit some new members this year, remember that the trust tries to offer something for everyone!
The funds have fallen slightly due to the decrease in the value of the investments, but this reduction reflects the current market position and the trustees consider that the Trust is still financially sound. Our Treasurer, David Oliver sadly felt that it is time to retire and spend more time in the garden and on the golf course, but I am very pleased that Peter del Tufo has volunteered as successor to David whom I wish to thank for all his hard work.
The Trust has now recorded 78 gardens. Trish Gibson is standing down as Chairman of the Recorders, and I am glad to announce that Ianthe del Tufo has agreed to take over as Chairman. New garden records will still be lodged in the CRO but a copy of each will also now be placed in the Cornish Studies Library. Volunteers for recording work are still needed.
The Primary School education initiative has now finished but we are still receiving occasional applications from primary schools for specific funds. Jan Bright will mastermind the secondary schools’ project which is planned to start this September, using the £3,000 donated by the Tanner Trust.
Two bursaries were awarded to selected Duchy College students and we need to work out ways in which the available monies from various organisations can be most effectively used to help needy students.
Jill Carpenter has organized another most interesting programme of visits. Sadly Jill has decided to throw away her compass and map, and I should like to thank her very much for her hard work and enthusiasm. We now need a new Visits’ Organizer. A small profit was made for the Trust from the organisation of the visits.
Jean Marcus is organizing a 21st Birthday lunch at Trelissick on December 8th and has invited garden historian, Steven Desmond, who will talk about work at Godolphin in which he is playing a part.
I should like to thank David Pearce for all his hard work compiling the informative and enjoyable Newsletters that we send out, and also Jean Marcus who has edited very many excellent Journals over the years. Trish Gibson has now taken over as editor, and she has already put her own stamp on the 2009 publication. As ever, the Newsletter and Journals need contributions from the members as does the Website which has now been completely revamped.
The trust has collected a small library of about 90 reference books over the years, and these were held at the Courtney Library until recently. Unfortunately, space constraints meant that we were required to remove our books, and we had to find alternative storage for them. Although quite a few of the books are now considered outdated, about twenty of current ones have now been loaned to the Duchy College for the use of their students.
Pencarrow Garden Record
The ‘owner’s copy’ of the completed Pencarrow Garden Record was formally handed over to Iona, Lady Molesworth-St Aubyn in the Italian Garden at Pencarrow on March 23rd. The Cornish Guardian of March 25th duly published a report and photograph of the event. This marked the end of nearly four years of (sometimes intermittent) research by recorders Trish Gibson, Angela Stubbs, David Burdekin and Pam Dodds (team leader).
The history of the Pencarrow’s gardens was extracted from the extensive archives of family papers, local history and excerpts of contemporary garden articles, copies of which were made available to the team by Pencarrow’s honorary archivist David Donaldson. Visits by recorders were invariably warmly received, and regularly included very jolly lunches at Lady Molesworth’s invitation.
Behind garden recording is the intention to provide documentary backup for the maintenance or restoration of Cornwall’s historic gardens, so on completion these documents (following a prescribed format), are preserved in the County Record Office in Truro. More accessible is a bound copy of the Pencarrow Garden Record in the Cornish Studies Centre, Redruth. Volunteer Recorders are always welcome - to join contact Ianthe del Tufo via e-mail - [email protected]
Pencarrow is owned by the Trustees of the Molesworth-St Aubyn Estates and is open to the public from March 1st to October 31st.
CGT Website Contributions
We are still looking for items to go on to the CGT website. These can be articles or photographs of the Trust’s activities. Please send to the CGT Secretary, Peter Fairbank via e-mail - [email protected]
– and please visit the website www.cornwallgardenstrust.org.uk
SUMMER PROGRAMME 2009 2009 Garden visit reports
Wednesday April 11th
A small but select group of members enjoyed a personally conducted tour of Ron Scamp’s bulb fields near Maenporth. Not only were the daffodils giving a magnificent display but the added bonus was the view over Falmouth Bay. All 12 divisions of the narcissus genus were represented in the display. The afternoon concluded with a delicious tea provided by Jackie George who donated the proceedings to the ‘Children’s Hospice Southwest Precious Lives Appeal’. Ron is noted for the high quality of daffodils bred and produced on the farm which are seen in the magnificent displays put on at horticultural shows in Cornwall and further afield.
Thursday May 7th
After the AGM at Rosewarne, members were given a conducted tour of Duchy College by David Hinchcliffe the Vice Principal, Bill Herring and Marshall Hutchens, senior lecturers.
The College, around 47 hectares in size (115 acres) is situated on the site of the former Ministry of Agriculture’s Experimental Horticulture Station. For educational purposes, a range of field-scale crops and bulbs are grown, together with units for protected cropping, nursery stock, floristry and land-based engineering workshops, science laboratories, a newly opened veterinary nursing facility, a learning resources centre with computer suites and a cafeteria. A number of courses are run including BSc Honours, Garden Landscape, Garden History, Plant Conservation and Collection, Conservation and Countryside Management, Wildlife Identification and Recording. (David Pearce)
Wednesday May 13th
On arrival at the woodland garden of Garvinack Farm just off the A30, James Treseder of the well-known local family nursery met us at the home of his parents and gave a talk on the garden which is atop a steep bank leading down to a stream, the source of the River Kenwyn - one of Truro’s three rivers. The bluebells carpeted the floor under camellia and magnolia walks but like so many large gardens there is a struggle with large trees of laurel - cut them down and they sprout again in no time! The prize tree of the garden is Michelia dolstopa, a close relative of the magnolia, a 60ft evergreen tree smothered with scented flowers in spring.
Mr and Mrs Paul Treseder provided a magnificent tea to see us on our way, many members having purchased nursery plants as a memento of their visit. (Jill Carpenter)
Thursday 28th May
Some thirty CGT members donned boots and rain gear to explore three gardens on the edge of Bodmin Moor. By the time we congregated at the first one, Bolts Quarry Farm near St Breward and enjoyed the restorative effects of the hot coffee offered by Jackie and George Greengrass, the weather had cleared to offer spectacular views of North Cornwall from the top of the abandoned granite quarry. Claiming that their garden is a work in progress, in the last eight years the Greengrasses have cleared paths which wind among the stone outcrops, and created a dammed pond, a bog garden, and a grassy amphitheatre out of the former quarry pit.
After being conveyed over the Moor by George Greengrass in the community bus we were shown the subtly planned shrub and tree enclosures around Tregenna Cottage, which particularly delighted the plants enthusiasts in our group. Though Tregenna looks like a fully mature garden, Tregenna’s owner Keith Barwood makes a practice of annually choosing to introduce the best of any new varieties of a variegated shrub or tree. An example is the Brachyglottis (formerly Senecio) ‘Moira Reid’ which was displayed to particular advantage in the muted light that day. Keith and Wendy’s neighbour across the lane, George Loveridge provided additional commentary, and even invited us to view his own garden with its contrasting open lawns and borders, making an unexpected fourth venue that day.
Lower Hamatethy featured a stream tumbling over mossy boulders, through a steep valley planted with a medley of conifers and flowering shrubs. Two bridges provide access to paths and open areas amid the plantings.
Yolande Hall, the owner for the past three years, has been maintaining the garden in the style to which it had become accustomed and has added new rose plantings on a sunny bank. The day’s events ended in a splendid tea provided by Mrs Hall and her friends. Our events supremo, Jill Carpenter, deserved and got a round of applause for her success in organising such a varied and rewarding group of visits.
(Pam Dodds & Joy Wilson)
Thursday 18th June
Following a visit to artist Mackenzie Bell’s Northwood Farm Water Gardens I am undecided on two matters; do I really like this garden and where should I hang the rather large vibrant painting of Otto Overbeck’s garden in Salcombe which I bought whilst experiencing a sugar rush from a generous portion of lemon and lime drizzle cake enjoyed at teatime?
An article by Mackenzie telling the full detailed story of the gardens can be read in the CGT Journal 2009 pp 27-30. In brief, the two-acre gardens standing at 700′ on the southern slopes of Bodmin Moor had been developed for 30 years but had slipped into neglect when Mackenzie and his partner arrived in 2004, looking for a challenge that would allow them to fully express their passion for design and horticulture. What an opportunity! They set about clearing gunnera and hydrangeas from overcrowded strangled ponds and moving large shrubs to open up vistas, yet at the same time trying to retain intimate areas. Then they extended into a two-acre field of sedge grass diverting three streams into two new ponds. Improved drainage has allowed the introduction of a wider range of plants… and have they planted! Golds, lime-yellows, reds, purples, all shades of green, native plants and hardy exotics all together in a riot of colour and texture – a personal oasis on Bodmin Moor.
Mackenzie says he prefers to approach garden design as an artist, not as a horticulturalist. His paintings are full of strong images and vibrant colours – reds, blues, purples and gold. In the garden, foliage, texture and colour excite him. The view of the garden from his studio is of strong shapes and bold colours. I found the design provocative and highly individualistic, the work of a gardener absorbed in self expression determined in the task and prepared to push the boundaries. I acknowledge the huge amount of work and energy which has gone into the development of this garden. A plan for the future is to import more sculpture to add to the Gothic arch, locally excavated granite boulders, copper herons and Monet-style bridge.
The new planting needs to mature. It is still a little raw, and needs time to settle in. Will the choice and colour of plants sit easily with their neighbours and the whole fit within the wider landscape – only time will tell. Some of the planting left me feeling a bit edgy; it is arresting but I am not sure if it fits in (like the painting I bought) but despite this I did enjoy the afternoon and would like to thank Mackenzie for his informative talk and generous welcome. I should like to visit again in a year or two to catch up with progress.
I encourage you to visit the garden if you missed the CGT trip and to share your impressions by writing to the editor. Now where did I put the hammer and picture hooks…? (Jean Marcus)
Annual subscriptions.
Believe it or not, even this late, there are still some outstanding subscriptions! Members in arrears are being reminded yet again with a note enclosed that subscriptions were due on April 1st.
It would considerably reduce the workload of the Membership Secretary if members considered payment by standing order obviating the need for reminders; please ask for a form.
As reported in the Chairman’s letter, the Treasurer David Oliver has retired after being Treasurer since its inception in 1988. Peter del Tufo (pictured left) has volunteered to take over this important role.
Also, as reported by the Chairman at the AGM, Ianthe del Tufo has agreed to take over as Chairman of the Recorders.
Both can be contacted by e-mail: [email protected]
Late News
David Hinchcliffe was recently made redundant from his post as Vice Principal of Duchy College and now faces an uncertain future. David has been a keen supporter of the trust and made valuable contributions to the running of the Trust. We wish him well and are pleased to confirm that he has agreed to remain as a trustee on the Council of Management.
Happy 21st Birthday!
CGT is to celebrate its first 21 years with a
Lecture on Godolphin
by guest speaker Steven Desmond
to be followed by a Seasonal Luncheon
at
Trelissick Barn, Trelissick Garden, Feock, Truro
on
Tuesday 8th December 2009, starting 11am
The event is open to CGT members and their guests, and CGS members
A booking form will be circulated in the autumn Newsletter
The next Newsletter will be distributed in the autumn and will contain further details of the 21st birthday celebrations at Trelissick as shown above together with an outline of next year’s garden visits.
and finally…….
David Pearce, Cornwall Gardens Trust Newsletter editor, is happy to receive short articles of information from members for publication in future Newsletters. These may be on any garden related topic, technical, personal experiences, humorous moments, cartoons etc. Please send articles to Sweet Thymes, Rose, Truro TR4 9PQ either by snail-mail or preferably by e-mail to: [email protected]
Please note the change of email address.