Bridport Gardening Club

Visit to The Garden House and Wildside

This outing in May 2024 proved to be one of our most well attended and enjoyable outings on a beautiful spring day in Devon. And yes, what a feast for the eye and an inspiration to all gardeners. Keith Wiley is an artist who has raised the art of garden design to be about the design of space. In his introductory talk he was keen that we all looked over the boundary hedge to the next field. As he explained,[…]

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Visit to Coleton Fishacre in April 2024

This Arts & Crafts home built by the D’Oyle Carte family not only displays mid 1920’s craftsmanship from its architectural spaciousness to the tiles surrounding the frilled bedroom sinks but also views down through the garden to the sea.  Filled with minimalist art deco design: furniture, fabulous fabrics, artefacts, even a coat, and a carpet over which, perhaps, soho slinky evening dresses paraded. The house was sold to a Hampstead motor dealer and Torquay hotelier in 1949 but before being[…]

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Visit to Castle Hill Gardens, Filleigh, Devon

Castle Hill situated above the Bray River plain, with daffodil sprigged drive and ornamental stone bridge were built for horse and carriage rather than coach, still retains its iron estate railings from WWII demise.  The country mansion’s stateliness is enhanced by hill top trees above and below the formal terraced lawns with garden statutory, as well as the follies and ornamental plantations on the surrounding hillsides.   In full bloom camelias, magnolias and a large rhododendron grove lend warmth and soften[…]

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A Sprinkle of Swift stardust at Spring Show

Our Gardening Club Spring Show was a brilliant affair. The show, held on Saturday 23rd March, was well attended, demonstrating that the recent wet weather doesn’t deter the gardening community from displaying the best from their gardens and allotments. With over 50 entrants in the Hall showing spring flowers, pot plants, cakes, jams through to photography, paintings and artworks. Members had been told days before that a special guest would be handing out the prizes and there was a definite[…]

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A new Outings Co-Ordinator Needed

Our Outings play an important and vital part in the activities of the club. They enhance the enjoyment of membership; gives members an opportunity to meet socially with like-minded people; and builds on our experience of gardens and gardening. Sibyl has been organising Club outings for the past six years. She has now taken on the position as Secretary so needs to handover to someone new. The Outings Coordinator job description is posted below. Please consider carefully whether you will[…]

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In Memory of Jessie Barrett

Jessie Barrett was a legendary figure in the Gardening Club serving in various significant capacities on the committee for 38, yes, thirty-eight years. During her long life she left Loders only briefly to take a secretarial course in Exeter which equipped her for a career at Gundry where she coordinated the outworkers from surrounding villages. Members will have been sad to hear of the death of Jessie Barrett on February 3rd at the age of 92. Jessie became secretary of[…]

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Bridport Tree Planting – February 2024 Newsletter

Bridport Tree Planting have the following trees to give away. Three per household. Look at the list, choose three then email your choice to (see email address in the attached Newsletter below) and they’ll reserve them and tell you how to collect on Saturday February 17th from 11 am to noon at Riverside Gardens. Please place your order by Thursday 15th as stocks of some are running low.oakashdowny birch (most at 4 ft)crab-applehawthornblackthorndogwoodeldersilver birchwild cherryrowanhazelgoat willowdog roseholly

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