Monday 7th September 2026 - Rockeries, Work Starting, Chainsaw and New Topper

I forgot to mention, in my last blog, about the Gardening Club meeting last Tuesday afternoon.  The subject was Rockery Gardens and the talk was presented by Gail Harland.  Gail’s talk wasn’t quite what I expected.  I thought it would be, how to create a rockery and the types of plants are best suited, in a fairly arid area.  Instead, Gail covered the history of rockeries.  Initially these were just a collection of rocks and stones with no plants.  Favoured by the rich, as a feature in the gardens of their extensive properties, Gail showed us photos of rocks which have significant geological value but those with wealth thought it perfectly within their rights to remove and add to their estates.  One example of stones being moved was from the Giants Causeway, located in Northern Ireland.  Before the meeting, Gail had taken the opportunity to walk through the grounds of The Pleasaunce where she spotted some pulhamite stones. This particular stone was manufactured during the Victorian era and features in a number of large gardens.  Gail also showed us a photo of a rockery, created by Sir Charles Isham in his Lamport Hall garden, which he populated with garden gnomes.  They remained until his death, after which, his daughters removed them, lined them up and shot them!  One survived and this now resides in the house.  All in all, a very different talk to what I expected.  Both myself and a village friend agreed, it was far more interesting than we had imagined.

The repair works to the sea wall, were initially scheduled to start in spring and then in the summer.  However, nothing happened, apart from the delivery of the sheet piling.  I began to wonder if works would start, this year, especially as the days are shortening and we can expect inclement weather.  NNDC have now posted, on their website; contractors JN Bentley will set up their compound this week and anticipate works will start next Monday, the 14^th.

The garden task, I mentioned in my blog for 18^th August, is nearing completion.  I have moved some plants to the area and purchased some more.  There is however, one part which is proving somewhat difficult but I’m determined, it won’t beat me!  In the meantime, I’ve commenced another task, which I did originally think, I wouldn’t start until the late autumn/early winter.  This is reducing the size of our bay tree, which there is no other words for it – has got out of hand.  It’s tall and bulky and needs reducing in size.  To help, with the cutting the larger stems, Peter has bought me a chainsaw.  It’s not one you would use to cut down trees; it’s classified to be used for pruning.  I have to admit I was somewhat concerned at the thought of operating it but after watching an instructive video, Peter found on YouTube, I felt a lot more confident.  So far, I’ve used it twice and I’m well impressed.  Halfway through the cutting back, I don’t think I could have made much of a reduction to the bay tree without the chainsaw.  Once I’ve finished, the tree is going to be far easier to keep in shape – I mustn’t let it get out of hand again.  If you’re wondering, why Peter has not been involved, it’s because of his dodgy knee and back, which need to be treated with care and respect and not put under any unnecessary strain.

We have a new topper on the post box, outside the shop.  It’s an octopus, with keyrings for anyone to take, attached to the perimeter.  We have Tina to thank for the topper and Simon for the photo; they visit the village and stay at Ivy Farm.