Rare Plant Fair - 5th May 2013

A sunny day (rare enough right now, let's be honest) greeted our visitors to this year's Rare Plant Fair held at the Gardens on May 5th.

Much trade in rare and beautiful plants was done in this happy combination of Spring atmosphere and magnificent historic surroundings (Click on the pictures to view them full size):

The Gardens (after a short delay due to the late arrival of Spring this year) erupted with new and fresh beauty. Everywhere you looked gave a fresh feast for the senses:

 

A very happy and successful event was had by all, puchasers were happy with their items, and sellers reported a healthier than usual sales-to-advice ratio! 

A big thank you goes to our friends and exhibitors at the Rare Plant Fair for helping to make this event such fun yet again.

The biggest thanks of all must go to our visitors for their loyal support in helping us to keep these gardens alive for the benefit of both present and future generations. If you have not visited us yet, don't hesitate. The gardens have to been seen 'in the flesh colour and scent' to be fully appreciated: These pictures cannot do the place full justice.

Once again without the unstinting practical support of our volunteers, this event would not have taken place at all. Why not join them? If you are tempted to become a volunteer, please click on our volunteer page. For further details contact Sue Brain on 0121 749 4100. You won't regret it, and you'll be helping to make a difference that will be appreciated for generations to come!

The photographs taken by Graham High, and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.

Spring has finally sprung! The Gardens in April 2013.

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first
spring day is another.  The difference between them is
sometimes as great as a month.

 Henry van Dyke  1852–1933

After a particularly harsh Winter season this time around, the Gardens are now starting to display their beauty once again. Spring appears to have sprung with a vengeance, much to my relief as much anyone else's!

I hope you enjoy the photgraphs, and come to visit the gardens to see this beauty for yourself. No photograph can express the wonderful sights, sounds, smells, and peacefulness pervading this place right now.

Click on the pictures to view them full-size:
 

All photographs are by Graham High, and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.

Easter Event Report - 2013.

The weather was a serious concern to us during this year's Easter Event with bitter cold winds and occasional flakes of snow falling. 

Frost also delayed the emergence of our usual flurries of spring colour at the gardens, although it would not be fair to say that there was no colour or beauty around:

One of the first visitors through the gate was Constable Conk...

...presumably to arrest his 'on-the-run' twin brother.

Traditional games were moved to the entrance area in order to avoid the mud. Now then: Was this shot a 10 or a 5? Answers on a postcard...

Just through the Garden Gate entrance, a scary-nightmare Easter Bunny roamed:
 

The West MidlandsWoodturners opened up their on-site workshop this year, and as usual kept our visitors fascinated with demonstrations of craft skills and a fabulous display of the hand crafted items they produce:

We were also delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor and Mayoress of Solihull (Cllr. Ken Hawkins, and his wife Janet), and the Chairman of Castle Bromwich Parish Council (Cllr. Mark Hayes with his wife Jayne).

Here is a photograph of the Mayor and Mayoress posing with the Glorishears ofBrummagem:

Photo: David Bennett

...and here is a video of the Glorishears actually performing at the event:

The Mayoral party obviously enjoyed the dancing!

As usual the highlight of the event was our Easter Bonnet Competition. Here are the winners, posing with the Mayor and Mayoress:

Over 5 years Category Winners:

Photo: David Bennett

Marnie Carritt, 

Calum O’Hagan, 

and Alana Jaggers.

 5-and-Under Category Winners:

Photo: David Bennett

  

Cian Orme, 

Alexander Fitzpatrick, 

and Lila Gaines. 

Congratulations to the Prizewinners!

The event was very well attended by our visitors who braved the cold weather to show their support for the Gardens. Their support helped make this event yet another memorable one for us. It is very much apprecaited, and heartfelt thanks to all who came to see us.

Thanks are also due for the incredibly hard work put in by our volunteers. None of this would have happened at all without them.

If you wish to become a volunteer for the gardens, please visit our volunteer page for full details. Please help us preserve these beautiful gardens for future generations to enjoy.

Unless otherwise credited, all photographs are by Graham and Christopher High, and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 UK: England & Wales License. Other photographs are copyright.