We have an annual day trip in June (instead of the monthly meeting). We try to choose a venue which is less than two hours away by coach. If we have enough space on the coach, guests can be invited to attend.

In addition, we arrange mini trips which may be for part of a day or in the evening. We travel in a mini bus or arrange car shares.

Trip to Ashwood Nurseries and John’s Garden July 2025

On July 7^th we went to Ashwood Nurseries and John’s Garden, Kingswinford DY6 0AE. I knew it would be good but it was AMAZING! We had an introductory tour and then had the garden exclusively to ourselves. It was heaven! There was so much variety and interest around every corner – I particularly loved the pool and rock garden; herbaceous borders, island bed; stumpery and the terrace and ruin garden, to name but a few. There were such beautiful plant combinations, including several enormous pots which were works of art in themselves.

Lunch in the café was a delicious treat and we might have bought just a few plants from the excellent nursery…

Debbie always wanted long hair!

Annual trip 25^th June 2025:

Cholmondely Castle Gardens, Malpas, Cheshire.

We left Bishops Castle a little after 9.30 and enjoyed a comfortable ride, chatting and admiring the countryside from our elevated position in the coach. On arrival we were given maps and instructions to meet the Head Gardener at 12pm. The gardens didn’t disappoint right from the first path walking away from the coach, where spectacular views and a stunning lake full of water lilies made us beam with delight! There were many beautiful trees, shrubs and plants of interest for all of us keen plantaholics to admire (but alas – no plant stall). The Lavinia Walk (named after the late Dowager Marchioness, wife of the late 6^th Marquess) was a colourful spectacle in shades of red, orange and pink, leading up to the rose garden. This lead onto the Seasons Garden which was only established five years ago but already has beautiful planting, including salvia nemerosis, roses and delphiniums.

We had an excellent 90 minute tour with the Head Gardener which gave us an idea of the background history and favourite plants of the late Marchioness who was actively involved in the garden. There was such variety including rockeries, meadow areas full of orchids, mosaics, woodland and the Folly Garden with another beautiful lake.

There were plenty of places in which to enjoy our picnics, supplemented by refreshments from the tea room. Several of us were thinking it would be lovely to return at other times of the year – cherry blossom reflecting over the lakes sounded very enticing. It was a relaxing and extremely enjoyable day – many thanks to Sara who organised the trip perfectly.

Angie Salmon

Summer Trip:  Wednesday 19^th June 2024

Hereford Cathedral and Kenchester Water Gardens

We had an interesting, private tour of the four acre, fifteenth century Cathedral Gardens, including the Courtyard, Cloister, Vicar’s, Choral, Dean’s and Bishop’s Gardens (the latter two are not usually open to the public). There were many beautiful plants and trees to admire. Some members also enjoyed visiting the Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library. The food served in the cafe was delicious and sun shone on those of us who chose to eat picnics outside. On the way home tea and cake was enjoyed at the Water Garden and several of us stocked up on pond plants. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing day.

Mini trip to Minsterley Meadows and The Bog Visitor Centre

On Wednesday 7^th May, fifteen of our members enjoyed refreshments at The Bog Visitor Centre and then had a tour round Minsterley Meadows, which are of national importance and amongst the best flowering grasslands in Shropshire. They support over 5000 Green-winged orchids, a species which has severely declined over the last 100 years. More than 90% of Shropshire’s Green-winged orchids are now in these two hay meadows. The group was met by Sarah Mary Wallace-Johnson, the Project Coordinator for The Middle Marches Community Land Trust project, which the club donated to last year in order to save the meadows from being destroyed. Rob Rowe was also there to share his immense knowledge of botany. The sun shone on the righteous which added to the enjoyment of the day!

New Invention Meadows

On 11^th June, fifteen of us went to New Invention to visit Sarah and Simon Jameson’s meadow project.

It was a beautiful sunny evening and we enjoyed a relaxing stroll around 11.4 acres which have been managed for nature, wildlife and biodiversity. There were many wild flowers to admire, including the tiny eye bright which I knew of years ago but had forgotten. Sarah shared her knowledge of yellow meadow ants which inhabit part of their hillside in ground that has never been cultivated and she recommended Dr Tim King’s webinar on You Tube for further information on these fascinating creatures. We also saw some of Sarah’s lovely artwork which is inspired by her surroundings. She has agreed to do two workshops for us in the Autumn which will be great fun.

We finished a perfect visit with cool drinks and delicious cakes. I had a lovely email from Sarah later that evening saying how much she and Simon had enjoyed meeting our “friendly group” and thanking the club for our donation of £100 towards all the work that they do.

Sarah issued an open invitation for club members to visit the meadow in ones or twos whenever we would like to.

 To find out more, go to https://sarahnewinvention.wixsite.com/we-bought-a-field