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The Grampound Times
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Edition 51

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In the early editions of “The Grampound Times” I had the idea that it would be nice to have a feature regularly included concerning matters of nature or gardens etc.   Unfortunately at that time I was not successful in persuading anyone to provide the articles  -   but the idea never left me.   Then into our community came  GILLIAN THOMPSON  with her great love  and dedication to gardens and seemingly an unending knowledge of the subject, that she has been able to convert into a series of most interesting articles for us all to enjoy.  

Gardening

The fact that gardens are important to Grampound is not in doubt as on some three or four occasions over the years, proud owners, up to twenty at a time, have opened their pride and joy spaces for all of us to visit and enjoy.   As I write this item I look forward eagerly to the forthcoming “Grampound Gardens Day” taking place on the 21st June when again those of us who love gardens can spend a few happy hours viewing with pleasure the results achieved by other folks hard work.  I do hope that the weather will be kind to show off the results of their labours to the best possible advantage, and that very many of you will have turned out in support.  

Want more proof of Grampound folks addiction to gardening?   -   well the efforts of  BOB EGERTON and his group of “Transition Grampound” devotees in obtaining allotment sites to satisfy the need for them expressed in previous additions of this paper and beyond provides it.   Turning non-garden land into a productive garden is surely a love and desire for a garden beyond most of us – certainly me!

I recently read a little pamphlet written some 45 years ago which contained an article that I thought very appropriate to my thoughts at this time.   I hope you enjoy it.   It is entitled……

COTTAGE GARDENS

Lovely are the cottage gardens in our English country lanes  -  when Springtime brings the sunshine, soft warm winds and fragrant rains…Wallflowers in the window-boxes make a flame of red and gold.   Tulips down the paths and borders flaunt their colour gay and bold.
Orchards thick with snowy blossom wave white wands along the way.   In the hedges thrushes sing amongst the lilac and the may.   Ancient are these little gardens yet the old earth smiles anew -  as each year the Spring returns with golden days and skies of blue….And at the gate where May meets June there comes the Summer crowning all – with roses blazing in the beds and glowing on the cottage wall.

Due to the time delay in my starting and finishing this magazine I can now report with the very greatest pleasure the success of the   “GRAMPOUND GARDENS OPENING”  that I mentioned above.

GRAMPOUND GARDENS

The 21st of June dawned with the most beautiful Summer sunshine  -  just perfect for the “Gardens Opening Day”.   The last time this happened a year or two ago I made too late a start with the result that I missed several of the gardens on offer.   This year I had no intention of making that same mistake and promptly at 10am I paid my £3 to get under way  -  19 gardens for £3, that’s definitely undercharging as far as I am concerned, where else can you get six hours of bliss for that money!

Refreshments available and admirably placed around the route  -  at St. Nun’s Church, Tregonjohn Cottage and again at The Coach House Garlenick and soft refreshing drinks at Tremethick.   Dare I admit to it, yes I do,  I partook of them at all four sites, and they were splendid!

Its little wonder that so many people visited Grampound that day  -  the brilliant weather  -  19 excellent gardens to see  -  refreshments available to keep you going  -  and Radio Cornwall’s celebrity gardener  TRACY WILSON  sitting amongst the beautifully tended shrubs and flowers at  DELLA STOVELL’S  Fore Street Courtyard Garden, ready to help with any gardening problems that were explained to her.   Sadly she wouldn’t be able to help me because my problem is that I find gardening such hard work!!

It was a magnificent day with an incredible profit towards the upkeep of our Churches amounting to £900!   I do hope that  DELLA STOVELL and  ALISON OCONNOR  who organised the event so well have been able to sit quietly and realise how successful their day was.   Here’s to the next time is what I say!!

ROGER PAYNTER