May - Bickham House

A well attended gathering - 15 of us turned up - not all at once but our hostess, Julia, kindly brought out chairs so we could sit in the shade at the side of the house watching others arrive. A really nice, and very welcome, touch was the appearance of Julia with a stack of tumblers and a large jug of iced water - bliss!

After a quick introduction - she knows that many of us had been before - and advice not to go down to the lake, the bullocks were sheltering under trees in the shade and probably wouldn’t be keen to be disturbed.

We started by walking along the borders and then up into the woodland, nice and cool. Then down to the courtyard where the change was that the central, rectangular pond had been filled in with pebbles. The very old tree in the centre was still there. It was then a gentle amble (it was very hot!) through the walled garden admiring the veg and flowers - and lack of weeds! Then up through the orchard to the Summer House at the top where the seats were gratefully filled.

Back to the terrace for tea, lingering to admire the plants for sale and a ponder as to whether one had room for any more or the energy to plant them!

Homemade cakes - choice of three - and tea or coffee accompanied by more catching up with news ended a very enjoyable visit.

ACM

---

June - Marshall Farm

This visit was deemed to be very successful and was enjoyed by those who went. Our numbers were low but this was a rare occasion when we took advantage of a general Open Day so there were many there. Marshall Farm is no longer part of the NGS but was until 2022 so clearly met the standards they require.
This is not a manicured garden - it is a working farm - but is very pleasant. Scattered flower beds filled with Perennials, a pond wth beautiful water lilies, wild flower gardens, parterre garden.
The setting is lovely, overlooking fields on the outskirts of Exeter with stunning views of Woodbury, Sidmouth Gap and Haldon. There was a large area to sit and have tea. Tea was very generous with large slices of cake from a great choice of cakes!
There was a well stocked plants for sale area.
We found out afterwards that the owner raised over £2k for the Devon Air Ambulance from this Open Day - a magnificent effort!

ACM with thanks to Linda and Jean

---

July - Sutton Mead

The day started slightly overcast so a promise of a cooler visit, but, as I left, the sun came out - back to the current norm! Eleven of us gathered under the trees and were met by our hosts who very kindly guided us all the way round this very varied garden with, fortunately, plenty of shade. It is a large garden with impressive views over the Moor - all looking very parched and orange in colour.
They are fortunate in that they have their own borehole so no outside restrictions. Those of us with wilting hydrangeas (as one example) could only look on with envy. Our hosts have been developing the garden over the 48 years that they’ve been there. It’s not only the wide variety of trees, shrubs and other plants but water features - ponds, streams and a bog garden (struggling a bit at the moment), croquet lawn and summer houses, one with two very tempting wooden swing chairs situated to take advantage of a very good view. We were encouraged to try a chair and those that did reported that they were very comfortable. Just the place to doze off in this heat!
Then through further reaches of the garden to partake of a homemade tea. The cake (delicious) was filled with home grown and home made jam.
Tea was the usual opportunity to catch up with news of Uersa and the University. A particularly nice part of the visit was the opportunity to welcome new members to the Garden Group.

ACM

---

August - Fursdon House and Garden

A small but very select group met up outside the Tea Room - well, need to know where tea is!
August is always a challenging month for visits - some of our regular members are away, some even going as far as Australia- others have guests or are on grandparent duties. The weather this year has also played a part. This was one of our rare house and garden visits and not just for us so we didn’t have to meet a minimum number.
It was good to see some members who haven’t been able to join us for a while.

We started with the house Tour given by a very knowledgeable guide. The family history is long, detailed and fascinating. The same family has lived there since 1259 with a few alterations along the way. There was so much to see and say that the Tour overran.

After the Tour most of us hot footed it back to the Coach House for tea being worried in case the cake ran out! The choice was excellent and included cream teas. Although rain had been forecast there was no sign of it and we were able to sit outside in the Courtyard in full sun. After tea and a good catch up we finally reached the Garden. As with all gardens this summer it was struggling but you could see the underlying structure and admire the brave plants that were in flower. It slopes upwards and affords a magnificent view southwest as is also seen from the front of the house. A very enjoyable visit.
ACM