CORNWALL GARDENS TRUST

CORNWALL GARDENS TRUST

NEWSLETTER - SUMMER 2010

Message from the Chairman

Unfortunately, Angela Stubbs was unable to attend the Annual General Meeting. Members present wished her a speedy recovery. In her absence, Angela’s report was read by the acting Chairman, Jean Marcus.

“Welcome to everyone.

The Christmas 21st birthday lunch and lecture was very enjoyable and informative. Jean Marcus is repeating the exercise in December at Lanhydrock and Jonathan Lovie, a garden historian currently working on Lanhydrock, will give the lecture.

The 2009 garden visits programme organized by Jill Carpenter was interesting and well supported and there is a very pleasing take-up for the 2010 season. Any suggestions for the 2011 season of garden visits will be gratefully received.

Claire Hewlett has taken over Education from Jan Bright and has organised a successful pilot scheme at Sir James Smiths Community College in Wadebridge for whom Fentongollan Farm supplied the vegetable pack. Claire is encouraging other secondary schools to put forward feasible applications which, if successful, will be generously funded by the Tanner Trust. We continue to receive requests from primary schools.

Bursary applications from Duchy College students were also received and awarded where appropriate. This year the allocation of funds was coordinated with the CGS in order to avoid an abuse of the system.

The Recorders continue to do good work and there are still plenty of gardens to be recorded but more volunteers are needed to help Ilanthe del Tufo undertake this work.

The 2010 Journal again ably edited by Trish has been very well received.

Thanks to David Pearce for continuing to deliver the very informative newsletters despite having had surgery. I hope everyone who can has found their way to our new and improved website.

Finally, Sir Richard Carew Pole has asked me to tell you that Sir Ferrers Vyvyan, our Vice President, has been made a trustee of Kew gardens. This is an honour for Ferrers, Cornwall and, of course, the Cornwall Gardens Trust!

It only remains for me to thank the committee members very sincerely for all their hard work behind the scenes throughout the year. I send my best wishes to everyone and am very sorry that I can’t be with you.”

CGT Website www.cornwallgardenstrust.org.uk

Have you visited the newly laid out and easily accessible website? If you have, you will see the website now 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]

 

Reports on the CGT 2010 garden visits so far this year………

1) Scorrier House

There was a good turn out for the visit to Scorrier House near Redruth, the first outing on this year’s programme on March 11th. Scorrier House was built in 1778 and since then has been inhabited by seven generations of the Williams family whose fortune was made from mining. The house stands proudly in its gardens originally set out by Elizabeth Williams and is surrounded by 450 acres of woodland and parkland.

We were welcomed by current owners, Richard and Caroline Williams and set off on a tour of the gardens led by Caroline. We started in the conservatory, bathed in spring sunshine and the perfume of the jasmine, then admired the swimming pool area secluded by hornbeam hedges and entered the sundial garden. Hard-pruned beech hedges formed a semi-circle around box parterres. Following the camellia walk we were led through ancient and mighty trees to the grotto but were out of season to enjoy the mass plantings of bluebells in the surrounding beds. The remains of a vast walled orchard could be seen, an area now home to a delightful family of Tamworth x with Cornish Black pigs. We were sorry not to see the magnolias in flower but could imagine the spectacle their vast size promised later. We enjoyed seeing some impressive trees including an Araucaria araucana (‘Monkey-Puzzle Tree’) probably associated with William Lobb who was responsible for the commercial introduction of this species into England from Chile and who had worked here at Scorrier House as a gardener sometime between 1838 and 1840.

 

 

After admiring two old Cornish crosses and a particularly tall Japanese umbrella tree, we were invited to take tea inside the house and were able to view the magnificent rooms now made available for events and weddings. Our thanks go to Richard and Caroline for such an enjoyable visit.

 

 

Report and photos by Jean Marcus

 

 

 

 

 

2) Rosteague

Rosteague is tucked away secretly at the end of a long drive, and about thirty fortunate members found their way there on Wednesday 28th April. It was a perfect spring morning, as members were welcomed in the old cider barn by the owners Mr and Mrs Howard Milton. Sue Pring provided interesting background history to the house, parts of which date from the 15th century, and the surrounding gardens and estate. Mrs Jay Milton then described the restoration work that has lovingly and enthusiastically been carried out over the past five years.

 

The scale of the project was only revealed when we walked round cottages and outbuildings to the front of the house. Here we were stopped in our tracks by the handsome classical front and amazing views over Gerrans Bay. Mrs Milton then took us round the varied gardens, covering several acres.

 

 

 

 

Two highlights stand out.

 

 

 

Walking through the unique series of 17th century parterre gardens close to the house, safely enclosed by handsome stone and “clunch” walls, we saw paths covered with neatly raked gravel, and in one corner a picturesque old thatched summer house. The hedges were hugely overgrown when the new owners took over, but now the intricately patterned box is neatly clipped and the interior areas planted by Mrs Milton in colours representing the four seasons. It takes two weeks to cut all the hedges, and one wonders what the total yardage is!

 

 

The walk down through bluebell woodland was past a small deer park for 12 deer - surely an 18th century status symbol! Next we saw the remains of an old culver house, a granite well head and the stream with a newly cleared pond. An old mill stone has been uncovered here, and this begs the question what use was made of the pond and streams? This handsome old house and gardens have thrown up lots of unanswered questions, and will surely continue to do so, which must be one of the many reasons that the magic of the place has so obviously captured the owners.

References:

Sue Pring`s research

Parks and Gardens of Cornwall, by Douglas Ellory Pett, pub. Alison Hodge, 1998

www.Rosteague.co.uk

Report by Lucie Nottingham

Pictures by David Pearce

 

3) Treventon, St Columb Major

Members enjoyed a visit to this well hidden town garden originally laid out in 1860 round a Sylvanus Trevail granite house where the current owners are restoring terraces, paths and ponds, and renewing and invigorating the planting schemes. A full report on this visit will appear in the next newsletter.

 

There is still time to book for the following garden visit:

Wednesday July 14th Tresillian House Grounds, Newquay TR8 4PS 10.00am

20 acres of formal gardens and orchards complementing Tresillian House and which include a magnificent Victorian walled garden still traditionally maintained. The tour will be conducted by Mr John Harris, the Head Gardener, who is well known for his broadcasts on Radio Cornwall. Coffee and biscuits will be offered in the barn.

Please contact the Secretary, Peter Fairbank by telephone on 01326 372293 or by e-mail on [email protected]

Christmas Lunch 2010

Plans are in hand for the popular Christmas Lunch which takes place this year on Tuesday 8th December at Lanhydrock with Jonathan Lovie, a garden historian currently working on Lanhydrock, giving the lecture. Full details with a booking form will be included in the next newsletter but, in the meantime, please put the date in your diary now!

 

News from the Recorders’ Group and Invitation

We had a very interesting lecture by Ann Reynolds of the CCC Historic Environment Service on ‘Cultural and Historical Aspects of Trees in the Landscape’ at our last meeting before the AGM at Pencarrow on April 14th. Some members of our audience were able to add various relevant facts.

We have two new recorders but several have retired recently (or moved out of the county) so

WE WOULD LOVE SOME MORE MEMBERS TO BECOME RECORDERS.

If interested please contact: Ianthe del Tufo 01326 231 339 or email: [email protected]

Cornwall Gardens Trust Education Report – May 2010

The education programme is slowly gathering pace. We are currently considering application for funds from the following schools:-

Sir James Smiths School, Camelford – for the creation of a vegetable garden which will support learning with Individual Needs students, and a Mediterranean style garden as a link into Modern Foreign Language curriculum.

Launceston College – to provide materials for a weekly gardening club, they hope to created raised beds, participate in willow weaving, build a barbeque and wooden planters with their DT students.

Wadebridge Secondary School – hoping to create a conservation area, to increase students’ awareness of their environment.

Bodmin College – are hoping to use funds from us in various garden projects working with their special needs students including the creation of a sensory garden and social area.

St John’s Catholic Primary School, Camborne – they need gardening tools and compost to encourage more children to become involved in making better use of the school grounds.

The first four are secondary schools. They approach their school grounds from a slightly different perspective to primary schools. Curriculum time is even more of an issue than with primary schools, the garden has to be multi functional, it needs to support IN students, DT students, perhaps a gardening or environment club, whilst also contributing to a sense of ownership by both students, their families and the teaching staff. This has resulted in requests for more hard landscaping materials rather than plants and tools.

You may notice that there is a concentration of schools in the North Cornwall area. This is for purely pragmatic reasons; it’s where I’m based. I would like to develop a team of education volunteers spread across the county to enable more schools to take advantage of what we can offer. Secondary schools are the current focus thanks to funds from the Tanner Trust, although there is a small amount of funding available for primary schools. So if you have contact with a local, to you, school who you would be prepared to work with please get in touch.

You can ring me on 01840 213232 or email on [email protected] (Claire Hewlett)

 

Book review (1)

Directions for the Gardiner and other Horticultural Advice by John Evelyn

edited by Maggie Campbell-Culver.

Publisher: Oxford University Press (May 2009) ISBN 978-0-19-923207-9 Hardback £14.99

Once I got over the fact that this is not a book to read from cover to cover all in one go and once I resisted attempts to mentally change the original spellings – gardiner, caully-flower, abricot, pease, soile, raspris etc, etc, - I sat back to enjoy the book for what is really is: a reference book giving a detailed picture of our gardening past.

In this book of over 300 pages, Maggie Campbell-Culver, who was instrumental in setting up the Cornwall Gardens Trust in 1988/89, brings together for the first time the three gardening manuals of John Evelyn. He was a diarist, gossip and horticulturist who was a chronicler of the 17th century. He travelled extensively in mid-century, visiting and observing parks and gardens which influenced his ideas on plants and garden design for the estates on which he was later commissioned to work as well as for his own garden at Sayes Court by the river Thames where he lived for over 40 years. Continued:-

The Directions for the Gardiner relates to the cultivation of flowers fruit and vegetables, the Kalendarium Hortense is a monthly guide to the gardening year, and Acetaria, details the growing of salad crops and their preparation for the table.

It is reassuring to know that what was written by John Evelyn in Directions for the Gardiner still holds good today – talk about going back to basics - the advice given in all sections is both practical and timeless! The Kalendarium Hortense enables us to compare what was in flower month by month all those years ago to today’s timing as well as to check the times of sunrise and sunset. In the Acetaria I found the dressing and preparation of vegetables and herbs quite fascinating and wonder how many modern cooks would know how to deal with ash keys, cowslips, walnuts or milky thistles for the table!

I found this book to be an interesting, useful and comprehensive look at various aspects of horticulture in this country in the seventeenth century and a book from which there is still a lot to learn today.

(David Pearce)

Book review (2)

Gardens of Divine Imitation: A garden design timeline from the Renaissance to the Edwardian era via ancient Rome by Bella D’Arcy

Publisher: Gardens and People (October 2009) ISBN978-0-9563451-0-3 Large format softback £28

The author’s sequence of careers as musician, performer, director, project manager, community arts administrator and scriptwriter, preceded retraining and launching herself as a garden designer. The background informs the content to this well-illustrated book.

As the title suggests, D’Arcy aims to trace the historical influence and links in garden design, adding her own insight. One of many examples she describes is a pebble design at the 16th century Villa D’Este in Tivoli, which reminds her of a similar circular pattern at Easton Lodge in Essex, designed by Harold Peto in 1902. She finds both schemes have their origin at the second century Roman villa of the Emperor Hadrian.

D’Arcy sums up her investigation into the process of garden design as follows:

For the gardens in the book, while a complete vision in the mind of the designer, were not always finished, and in some cases not even started. Here, these visions are interpreted by a garden designer whose interpretation may, or may not, be the reality. It is all after all, in the mind.

So, for whom is the book intended? It would obviously appeal to garden society and garden trust members, especially those who have toured Renaissance Italian gardens, Edwardian ‘Italian’ gardens in the British Isles, and those who have such travel in mind. For them it provides detailed accounts of the gardens’ development. But for me, it is above all a reminder of personal experience of past delights. Bella D’Arcy reminds the reader that garden and architectural design should form parts of the same whole. Context is all.’ The lack of an index is compensated by a detailed ‘Contents’ summary at the beginning. (Pam Dodds)

Special Offer to Cornwall Gardens Trust Members available from www.gardensandpeople.co.uk £24.00 including packing and postage.

 

If you are interested in taking on any aspect of the trust’s activities - don’t hide your light under a bushel - please contact our Chairman, Angela Stubbs on 01326 250092.

Remember – Many hands make light work!

CGT Members Gardens which are open in aid of the National Garden Scheme

Some are open on a regular basis – please contact the garden owners for full details:

• Bonython Manor, Cury Cross Lanes - Richard & Sue Nathan 01326 240234
• Carwinion, Mawnan Smith - Anthony & Jane Rogers 01326 250258
• Headland, Polruan - Jean Hill 01726 870243
• Ince Castle, Saltash - Lady Boyd 01752 842672
• Long Hay, Treligga, Delabole - Bett & Mick Hartley 01840 212506
• The Mill House, Pendoggett, St Kew - Trish & Jeremy Gibson 01208 880308
• Moyclare, Lodge Hill, Liskeard - Elizabeth & Philip Henslowe 01579 343114
• Nansawsan House, Ladock - Michael & Maureen Cole 01726 882392
• Pencarrow, Washaway, Bodmin - Lady Molesworth St Aubyn 01208 841369
• Penjerrick Garden, Budock, Falmouth - Rachael Morin 01872 870105
• St Michael’s Mount Garden, Marazion - James & Mary St Aubyn 01736 710507
• Trebah, Mawnan Smith - Tony Hibbert 01326 252200
• Trebartha, Launceston - The Latham Family 01566 782970
• Tregullow, Scorrier - James Williams
• Trenarth, High Cross, Constantine - Lucie Nottingham 01326 340444
• Trevarno, Crowntown, Helston - Michael Sagin 01326574274
• Trewithen, Grampound Road, Truro - Michael Goldsworthy 01726 883647

- and one garden owner reveals her thoughts on opening her garden to the public for the first time:

In early June last year we opened our garden to more than a hundred people. Sounds impressive? Actually they were here for our son’s wedding. Needless to say, we had spent a lot of time and effort in the previous 12 months or so working frantically to get everything ready for their special day. In spite of far from brilliant weather, everyone seemed to really appreciate the time they spent wandering round the garden. After the event, we realised that in fact we had quite enjoyed meeting the deadline and being forced to prepare things in time. It seemed sensible – and fun? – to think about opening the garden in order to raise some money for charity.

 

 

So we applied, anxiously, to the National Gardens Scheme. Our local organiser came to visit, and luckily said she thought we were sufficiently interesting (in theory you need to be able to interest a knowledgeable gardener for about 40 minutes) and that the NGS would be glad to have us in their Yellow Book. Mixed feelings – relief and terror. The visitors to our garden last year were mostly young, had a glass of bubbly in their hands and weren’t especially knowledgeable about gardens. Everyone was here for a wedding – not to critique a garden – and as long as there were plenty of flowers they were clearly satisfied. This June, however, we are open for the NGS and we’re going to have knowledgeable gardeners (as well as plenty of cream tea aficionados) casting their critical eye over and, what’s more, paying to look round our ever developing plot. Just now, it’s become a rather frightening prospect. But actually it’s also an exciting and inspiring one. There are many positives. Open Day has given us the impetus to be more creative, to tackle many areas that needed a radical re-think that would no doubt have languished for another few years before we looked at them, and to take a good dispassionate and critical look at our garden. It’s hard work but at the moment we’re enjoying it. We’d love to see you on Sunday 6 June – just be gentle with us – but if you can’t manage to come this year CGT is planning a visit here next June.

(Trish Gibson)

 

- and a grateful member, Claire Leith, wishes to record her thanks:

“I was away staying in St Just down west and journeyed from there on March 11th expecting it to entail 3 bus rides and 2 train rides, to get to Scorrier House for the CGT garden visit and to meet up with other members for the tour around the garden.

However, I was kindly lifted by car to Penzance station and leaving the train at Redruth, I almost immediately found the bus bound for Chacewater which put me down at the stop by the Fox and Hounds. I had noticed on other trips to Redruth that the bus passed a driveway with a notice “To Scorrier House” and, by and by, I turned up here dragging my wheeled luggage along (it came un-willingly especially over the gravely bits!). I passed some paddocks and within the last one, before turning down the drive to the left, there was grey mare with a little foal which I learned was called Christmas Rose.

I was very early but happily found a niche in a hedge near the visitor’s car park. Here I rested and the sun shone hot. By and by there came three riders and introductions and a very kindly welcome by Mr and Mrs Williams.

You think the above details a bit odd? - but it is to say a big Thank You to all who have given me lifts to the gardens open for us Garden Trust Members across a good few years and especially to Jill Carpenter – a blessing to me indeed. Thank you.”

(Claire is seen on the left of the photograph on page 2, taken outside the conservatory at Scorrier House)

AGT Annual Conference 2010

Later this year this will be held on the Isle of Wight and takes place over the weekend of 1-3 October. Visits will include Osborne, Northcourt (a 15-acre EH registered garden surrounding a Jacobean manor house owned by John Harrison, former Treasurer of AGT and organiser of the IofW conference, where some lucky members will be able to stay), and Ventnor Botanic Gardens. Also on the agenda is Mottistone Manor – a NT property featuring a new garden around a C16 manor, Woodlands Vale – a Victorian coastal property designed by Samuel Teulon, Lake House – a walled garden restoration and Carisbrooke Castle to see the Princess Beatrice garden designed by Chris Beardshaw in 2009 for EH.

John would like to know well in advance if you are thinking of going so that he may gauge how much accommodation to secure. You can get more information from John Harrison at [email protected] or on 01983 740415. These weekends are most enjoyable and everyone is very friendly. So maybe see you there?

Fundraising

The trustees are looking for a keen volunteer to take on the job of fundraising for the trust. If you are interested in doing this, or know of anyone who might be prepared to take on this task, would you please contact either Dr Angela Stubbs (01326 250092) or Peter del Tufo (01326 231339) to find out more about what this role entails.

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]

Editor DFJ Pearce