Back in July, the group visited an open garden at Bridge End Cottage in Ockham, near Wisley. The garden is extensive, with a great variety of interesting features. Clare Bevan, the owner explained that the cottage had been built in three stages. The oldest part was an 18th Century Inn called The Fiddle. Beside it ran a stream which still runs through her garden today, where clients used to piddle when they came out of The Fiddle! Unfortunately, due to (the lack of clients 😉) the recent hot weather, the stream was dry when we visited.
Clare was proud of her three compost heaps which were clearly put to good use in her extensive garden. She explained that high temperatures were reached during the decaying process. She was also very proud of her wildflower meadow which had unfortunately gone over! Clare explained when she first acquired the field in 2012, she had it sprayed in to get rid of the weeds and spent £2000-00 on wildflower seed which she planted in 2013. She now has an abundance of wildflowers which come up each year and attract a variety of butterflies. Many of us are hoping to go back next May/June so that we can see the wildflower meadow in all its glory!
Clare and her husband grow their own fruit and vegetables. They are more than self-sufficient in this respect, and they generously gave us plenty to take away!
Our thanks go to Clare Bevan for opening her garden to us and to Carole Grigson for arranging the
trip. Jo Wattis
In mid-September, the Gardening 1 group will be visiting a new (this year) NGS garden near Reading.