Blenheim Palace Christmas Lights
On Thursday 11th December, we went by coach to see the Christmas Lights in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, near Woodstock. As ever, this display did not disappoint. From the time we left the coach to return a couple of hours later, there were Wall to Wall displays of fantastic light effects, together with music and sounds all round the circuit. Our coach driver, Sam, managed to persuade the security staff to allow him to take the coach almost to the front of the entrance, which meant there was only a short walk to the beginning of the trail. Even before we had passed throught the ticket check point, there were numerous stalls, food wagons, an ice skating rink and so much more to invade the senses. When we finally returned to the coach, everyone, without exception, commented on how brilliant the displays were and how it had improved over the previous visit two years ago.
Here are just a few of the hundreds of photos taken that evening. As more come in, we will add them to the slider
Roll on 2026 and let's see where we can visit next year. WATCH THIS SPACE !!
Kew Gardens
On Wednesday 15th October, 50 members boarded a coach and travelled to Kew Gardens near Richmond. The journey was fine, taking just over an hour. The weather when we left was dreary, with mist and cloud and general dampness in the air. Although the sun didn't actually shine on our arrival, the mist had cleared, the dampness had all but gone and we were able to wander at our leisure without the need for umbrellas or rain hats.
Kew didn't disappoint, with Autumn colours everywhere. The flower beds near the entrance were stunning with a beautiful display of Dahlias and other late flowering plants. Work had already started on the restoration of the Palm House with volunteers working hard at removing existing plants and repositioning them in other areas of the gardens.
The gardens are so vast that it was almost impossible to cover every corner, every hidden path, every greenhouse and every flower bed in the four and half hours we were there. On the journey home, the question "Did you see .........." was on everyones lips and the response was nearly always, "I must have missed that .........". Another trip might be required to see those missed areas.
The above "montages" were created by Krystyna Hewitt - just a few of the 200 photographs taken on the day!
Malvern Autumn Show
On Friday 26th September, we visited the Malvern Autumn Show. This is one of the best Horticultural and Agricultural Shows in the country. The Malvern Showground is a vast area and is filled with Marquees, Stands, Stalls and Displays covering every possible aspect.
We arrived at our scheduled time of 11.30 a.m. and entered the showground with ease, each taking a different direction. We all had maps to find our way round, although there were plenty of signposts directing visitors to all corners of the Show.
The displays of flowers, vegetables, plants and succulents went far beyond spectacular. These photos don't do justice to the incredible amount of effort all the exhibitors have put in to make this show so amazing.
The pictures below are of the Floral Art Section. The Category was "Through a Window". These are just a few of the wonderful selection on display.
Thanks to Frances Wells for the photos:
This next selection shows some of the "Giant" vegetables which had a hall to themselves. That's how big they were. (You really wouldn't want to eat them !!) Click on the pictures to see full size.
Mill Barn and the Manor at Chalgrove
On Wednesday 17th September, we visited Mill Barn and the Manor at Chalgrove. Between the two groups, morning and afternoon, 63 Garden Group members enjoyed the visit and the weather stayed fairly good for most of the day.
We had a tour of the Manor gardens, guided by the Lady of the House, then crossed the road for the main event. We were not disappointed and the cream tea was second to none, with a never empty tea pot, an everlasting supply of scones and cream, cake of various flavours, all of which made the day well worth while.
Many photos were taken, so here are just a few to give a taste of what we enjoyed. (To stop the slider on any picture just hover the cursor over that picture or use the side arrows to move back or fowards.)
RHS Hyde Hall, Essex
On Wednesday 20th August, we had a coach outing to RHS Hyde Hall in Essex. We left the village by 9.30 and the outward journey was without incident. We arrived soon after 11.00 and one of the garden receptionists came on board the coach to welcome us and distribute maps which acted as our entry tickets. We then went our various ways, some visiting the coffee shop, others heading straight up the hill to the main gardens.
At that time of day we appeared to be outnumbered by volunteer garden staff who were busy pruning, trimming, weeding, mowing and generally making the garden look spectacular. There are so many wonderful things to see at Hyde Hall and for those for whom it was a first time visit, they agreed that it was exactly as described. Wonderful !!
As well as the beautiful flowers, we were fortunate to be able to see a textiles exhibition in the Eastern Region Textile Forum ‘Past and Present’ Exhibition. (not at all what one would expect to see from the title !!)
All the items on display were hand crafted in different fabrics which gave them a three dimensional appearance.
The Old Rectory, Albury
On Wednesday 9th July, a group of 30 Garden Group members visited the Old Rectory at Albury, near Thame. The owner, Mrs Mary (Moo) Nowell-Smith, requested that we limit the size of the group to just 30, which made the organising of the trip more difficult, as over 90 members were interested in going on this outing. For that reason, a second visit a week later was arranged, when another 30 members had the opportunity to view the lovely gardens attached to the Old Rectory.
The owner very kindly spoke to the groups with a potted history of the Rectory and surrounding grounds and then led us around different areas of special interest, before giving us the freedom to wander at our leisure.
Tea, coffe and home made cakes were then provided and we all sat around in the beautiful surroundings until it was time to leave. At that point, one of the group asked if was possible to visit the church, to which our host, being a church warden, happily agreed. Most of us took this unexpected bonus to our visit and crossed the road to look round the lovely little church. It was the highlite of the day.
Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens
On Wednesday 18th June, we went on a visit to the Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens near Burford. 50 Garden Group members boarded the coach at various pick up points around the village, and we managed to be away promptly at 9.45. The journey was uneventful and we arrived within the hour. 50 tickets had been pre-ordered and it was just a question of paying the bill on arrival. This was done promptly and we were then allowed to enter the grounds and wander wherever we chose. Some headed straight for the coffee shop, others to the loos, and the rest set off to explore the grounds. These pictures give a taste of what was there to be seen. We boarded the coach at 4:00 p.m. for the return journey and arrived back in the Village soon after 5:00 p.m. Everyone agreed it was yet another grand day out for the group and the beautiful weather was an added bonus.
The Manor House Gardens at Bledlow
On Wednesday 21st May, we visited the Manor House Gardens, Bledlow, the home of Lord Carrington and his Family. There were nearly seventy Garden Group members who turned up at the appointed time, parked very neatly in the designated field, and stood waiting patiently while their names were ticked off the attendance list and their entry fees were handed over. They are such a great group and make organising these trips a real pleasure.
Lord Carrington welcomed everyone and gave a very interesting introduction, covering some of the history of the house and gardens, before letting us loose to roam around the gardens at our leisure. He stayed with us all the time we were there, answering questions and giving us great anecdotes about his father, the previous Lord Carrington who was well known to many of us for his involvement in Chinnor life.
The highlight for some, was tea, coffee and cake in the tea house, a beautifully converted barn. It was served up by some very helpfull ladies and was a great finale to a splendid visit. The added bonus was the fact that, despite rain being forecast, it actually held off during the entire visit.
(click on any picture to view larger version)
Beech House, Jordans
On Wednesday 16th April, we visited Beech House in Jordans, near Beaconsfield. There were two groups and the afternoon group had the better weather with the morning group catching a rain shower. It was quite windy and fresh but that didn't deter 48 members over both groups, enjoying yet another interesting garden.
(click on an image to see it full size)