GARDENING
GROUP
The
members of the Group share a love of gardening, plants, and socialising in
beautiful surroundings.
In
terms of get-togethers, they are a bit more spontaneous than some groups: They
do not have a fixed schedule but meet, at members’ suggestions, to share
experiences, to discuss particular issues or concerns – or to go on an outing.
Members
meet in each other’s gardens, and enjoy visits to open gardens – locally and,
sometimes, further afield.
Number of Members - 15
Meeting Dates: No specific timetable; see above.
Contact Person – Mary Gregory - mary@nandmg.me.uk
Group
Outings in 2024
In
late May, the Group had an enjoyable visit to a beautiful garden in
Bletchingdon.
Mary
writes:
“‘Let the plants make
their own way.’ That is the guiding principle recommended by noted plantswoman
Sue Bedwell to the twelve members of the Garden Club on their group visit on 21
May. Sue’s garden, Monk’s Head, is attached to a picturesque cottage in the
conservation village of Bletchingdon. It is a standard-size garden divided into
‘rooms’ of varying character by winding stone paths and unusual trees and
shrubs. The borders are an intriguing and comfortable mix of exotic varieties
of euphorbia, iris, succulents and much more, nestled in with familiar
primroses and less familiar white herb robert. The overall effect is testament to
a plantaholic’s years of work and care ‘letting the plants make their own way’.
About-to-fledge bluetit nestlings stopped us from having tea in the summerhouse
but a corner of the lawn and the garden room were delightful substitutes. As we
left the first spots of rain were falling; perfect timing for us, and a
reminder that nature shapes the garden and we do best when we go along with it.”
Gardening Group members contemplating Sue
Bedwell’s principle of “letting the plants make their own way”.
Group
Outings in 2023
In late May, the
Group went on a visit to St Hilda’s College Gardens overlooking the River
Cherwell. The tour was led by Head Gardener Deborah, a real enthusiast who has
been developing the gardens after a major building project transformed the
site.
Head Gardener Deborah impressed the Group with her
knowledge and enthusiasm.
 
 
The above 4 pictures were taken in Mary’s beautiful garden during the extremely
hot, dry spell in the summer of 2022.
The borders at
Aston Pottery, a favourite destination for a group outing
New members would be very welcome. If you would like to join the group
please get in touch with Mary.
Greening Jericho
The Gardening Group has visited Jericho at the invitation of member Joanna Donkin to see the
achievements of the ‘Greening Jericho’ community project. The terrace houses in
Jericho were built in Victorian times for workers in the canal-side factories.
There are no front gardens but the terraces, and more recent re-builds, have
left a series of small spaces, corners and lanes. In an imaginative initiative
a group of local volunteers, including Joanna, are transforming these into
little oases of greenery, planting shrubs and flowers donated by Oxford City,
local residents and some of our members. In 2021 their “greening up” of a small
canal-side plot was given a well-deserved award by Oxford Preservation Trust.
Joanna in
the Alley
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