February 1st 2020

Last saturday 1st February was our first chance to all meet together this year to start preparing the Rose Garden for the Spring. As usual, we gathered at 10am and discussed which jobs we wanted to carry out.


Our secretary Peter had already spent lots of hours tidying the top shrub beds either side of the rose arches, so he continued with that. Our Membership secretary Linda and her sister Pauline started painting the front of our gardeners' shed, as they have planned a lovely floral design to brighten it up. Sian and Dave worked hard clearing common cornus from the centre of a shrub bed, which had got out of hand and was taking over.  A couple of us tackled some of the brambles and nettles which were starting to appear in the long border, as well as potting up a few ground covering perennials.  Weeding was carried out by the side of the shed with a view to creating a nursery bed for growing on small plants.

Another job carried out was to reinforce the shrubs alongside the entrance from Storeton Road, whilst also pulling out lots of encroaching ivy.  Many people seem to have created a makeshift path, cutting across the shrub bed when they should be using the formal paths provided.  As we had planted bulbs, we were keen to make sure this cut through was no longer an option.  It only takes a few minutes longer to walk around the path!

Paths were brushed, more work was done in and around the shed and more wood and sticks were added to the Bug Hotel. 

To warm us up, Sarah made hot drinks for us all, with shortbread biscuits to keep us going.  It was lovely to come together and get so much done in only a couple of hours.  As the saying goes, "many hands make light work!"

There were lots of signs that Spring is just around the corner.  The snowdrops are poking their heads above ground and beginning to open.  Hellebores in the long border are looking stunning in shades of pink and cream. Crocus flowers are starting to appear on the top lawn by the Memorial stone.

If you want to help as one of our volunteers, we would be delighted to have your company.  You can do as much or as little as you feel up to, and there is always friendly chat as we work.  Hot drinks are provided too.  Come along and join the team. We meet ( weather permitting) every Monday morning at 10am and also the first Saturday morning of each month at 10am.