Idyllic Iford

A winter walk in the morning frost

2012-01-19T23:57:00.000Z

A sharp frost on Monday this week enticed me out with the camera. Chilly, and owing to the [foolish] lack of a jacket, a distinctly swift walk.

(Click on the images for larger, slightly sharper versions)

Hydro update - 20MWh and counting

2012-01-07T22:18:00.001Z

All running well, and pleased to say that we have today exported our 20th Mega-watt hour of electricity. This means, I gather, that we can generated enough for four average sized homes for a year, and we've only been running for four weeks or so. Good news, I'd say.

DVD Release -- Tim Kliphuis: Live at Iford Manor

2011-12-16T00:03:00.000Z

A couple of weeks ago, we were excited to release our first recording of musical events in the cloister at Iford. Iford Recordings will bring the finest artists to your home through the medium of DVD.

"Tim Kliphuis and Friends: Live at Iford Manor" was filmed in front of a live audience, on June 30th 2011. The aim was to produce a DVD which would bring to the television screen the experience of attending an event at Iford, working with a spectacular artist in an inspirational venue.

Tim Kliphuis is a world class violinist, and an exponent of the immediacy of improvised music. The understanding and response to the inputs from both audience and venue are what makes a great improviser and the eclectic styles at Iford proved great inspiration for Tim's music making.

A sample from the DVD can be found above. Copies can be purchased at www.ifordrecordings.co.uk and would make a great Christmas present. Copies should be with you by Christmas if ordered before Sunday 18th December. This year, give someone the gift of great music at Iford.

The Turn of the Screw (not Britten)

2011-12-09T14:40:00.001Z

It was with great excitement that, yesterday afternoon, we were able to witness the first turn of the screw. Roger Hutton, of Potential Energy, proudly raised the main sluice gates and the turbine eased into action. This was just a test of course, as the electricity board is still checking a few elements in the connection to the grid but we do expect to be contributing in a small, but nevertheless important, way to the sustainable output of the UK within a week.

All contracted plant is now off site as the civil work was completed on Monday, and it is now just testing, linking up the internet (so we can monitor performance) and work to get the telemetry settings right, all going on inside the 'shed of mystery' by the frightfully clever boffins who understand the wonders within.

So the heavy work is complete. I will report once again when we begin the landscaping, fencing and aesthetic tidying work; but that will all have to wait until we are in a position to get machinery into the field, which would be impossible at present for the mud.

A walk round the garden this afternoon

2011-11-06T18:15:00.000Z

I had twenty minutes spare this afternoon, and the sun was shining. So, armed annoyingly with the less good camera, I set off into the garden to see what I could find. Leaves, mostly, and the odd berry.

Archimedes screw update - sluice gate arrives.

2011-11-06T17:52:00.000Z

Last time I brought you up to speed to the point where the screw had arrived (all 8 tonnes of it), and we had successfully negotiated the 1 mile journey from the A36 down the hill across fields and along tracks, to its resting place in the ready-prepared concrete cradle:

Since then, the bearings have been connected up, and a shed built on top of the concrete platform in which the gear mechanism and control unit are housed. This is seriously solid kit.

The shed:

You might recall that there was a large tree root which needed to be removed from the mill leet wall before repairs to it could be made. This was the result (it came out with quite a bit of wall attached - all of which will be reused in some project or other).

The enormous 360 excavator gave the remaining stones a hefty shove back into the hole created by the tree roots.

And then shuttering was applied in order to create a concrete replacement to the top half of this wall, which will withstand attack by fast flowing 'torpedo' tree-roots and such much better than the old stone wall would have done.

More shuttering props are added:

The results were excellent, and the plan is to tie this into the new beam (look back at previous updates from first weeks of the project) on the weir to give greater strength on the corner by the piles blocking the leet in the image below.

Some significant site tidying went on at this point, and we suffered from our first rain delays. Fortunately this coincided in part with a delay on the arrival of the all-important sluice gates. In the image below you can see the sluice gates have been installed finally, and the shed has also received its cladding which tones it down a bit.

We have been astonished at the speed that the entire project has been moving along. I am touching copious quantities of wood as I write this, but hopefully all will run smoothly for the final fortnight. Boy, will be pleased to see the project completed - not only because we are excited to generate the electricity, but furthermore because we are experiencing some pretty determined river flows just now, and a flood this month really would set things back!

This was the river taken this morning:

Hydro update (about 2 weeks behind where we really are)

2011-10-31T23:13:00.002Z

After some weeks, I can update you in pictorial form on the progress of the hydroelectric scheme. Sorry for the delay during the most exciting phase of the project, but I'm afraid we've had quite a busy time of it down at Iford lately. Nevertheless, here is the update!

Endless shuttering...

And this was the shuttering mould (upside down, here, and about half built) for the cradle for the screw itself.

And then, one Monday morning, the procession arrived:

The screw weighs about 8 tonnes.

And it somehow had to go in here:

There was a tree in the way, but this proved no problem for the enormous crane, which simply lifted the steel screw clean over the top of the tree!

And, at 22 degrees, or thereabouts, the descent into the trough was achieved.

A second update to follow shortly, to bring you up to date with the most recent fortnight, then they were able to put in the gearing system, build a shed to house all the clever control gear, and prepare for the arrival of the great sluice gates and grille for the front.

A visit from the Harley Owners Group

2011-10-14T18:04:00.002+01:00

Apologies for the lack of updates recently... it has been "all go" at Iford.

To our great delight we had a visit from the New Forest Branch of the Harley Owners Club. Jim Murphy, Communications Manager of the branch, kindly sent through these photographs of the group riding away over the bridge, and in front of the house. We hope they enjoyed their visit as much as we did.

We're always pleased to welcome car and motorcycle owners clubs, so if you would like to bring a group for a a visit to the garden, or just a cream tea, why not make us the excuse for a club outing?

Stormy day, sunnier evening

2011-09-18T23:15:00.000+01:00

Today was one of those days, when the garden visitor's intrepid nature truly showed itself. Just after opening time, the heavens opened. Torrentially.

Some minutes into the downpour, we were visited by a lady in a motorised mobility scooter, who was being kept very dry indeed by her plastic covering, which enclosed both her and also her scooter - a brilliant solution. Her walking companion was less fortunate, as he was wearing a mere raincoat.

Armed with the accessibility map they headed back out into the rain to negotiate the sloping paths and the accessible back routes to the upper levels of the garden. An hour or so later I saw them return through an upstairs window, seemingly in good spirits - it says a lot for the determination and hardiness of the Great British Garden Visitor to negotiate the vagaries of the September weather. These hardy pioneers certainly deserved their cup of tea - I hope they enjoyed their visit.

This evening, by contrast, was a stunner, and I was able to pop over to the kitchen garden to collect some rhubarb and apples for a crumble. Some shots of the garden around 5.30pm.

The last vestiges of the painted meadow, still just about in flower:

Apples ripening in the distance behind the sculpted box bushes on the lawn.

Onwards and upwards

2011-09-18T22:52:00.000+01:00

Now we're motoring - the weather is starting to be less amenable, and so time is of the essence. With seemingly endless steel reinforcement going in, the shuttering is being erected in haste to form the frames into which the walls will be poured. Here are the latest update pictures.

Yet more concrete

2011-09-13T23:58:00.004+01:00

Apologies to anyone not in fact interested in civil engineering or hydro-electric power... I appreciate that the project has rather taken over the blog as though nothing else is happening at the moment.

I am nevertheless conscious of the wide interest that the hydro scheme has created amongst the local residents, walkers through the valley and visitors alike. On my walk from the house to my office over the river, I regularly get stopped and asked questions about the scheme, which is great - I'm pleased people are intrigued.

Indeed, yesterday I had a very enjoyable chat with an environmentally involved lady about our shared belief in using our sustainable natural resources, especially where it doesn't impact negatively on other elements of the environmental system - since this scheme actually enhances the environment, especially for fish, she was very bullish about it. Encouraging news all round, I'd say.

The photo above is a spot-the-difference with the one from last time, because they managed to get enough of a break in the weather to pour the next load of concrete today - exciting, because it is nearing the big moment when the screw arrives in 4 weeks time or so.

Bring up the reinforcements...

2011-09-08T14:42:00.001+01:00

I really didn't expect to find myself getting this excited about civil engineering... conversations about piling, grades of grit and slump values were liable to leave me pretty cold, I thought. How wrong I was!

Last week we saw the pouring of the foundation pad for the Archimedean screw. This week the reinforcing bars have been laid out through which will be poured the main trough (using a fairly dry mix to avoid it slumping down the slope). This is a make-or-break moment, because if it goes wrong it's a heck of a lot of effort to cut it out again - it's reinforced for a reason, after all...

When looking at the quantity of concrete going in here, it gives an idea of the forces which are being accommodated in the design - this is serious hardware, and a stark reminder of the underlying power of an otherwise tranquil river in spate.

Hydro week 6 or 7

2011-09-02T22:23:00.001+01:00

Week 6, week 7, I've lost track rather of where we've got to timewise. Nevertheless, it was a big week because that big hole that Suttle's had dug previously (where the eel trap used to be) has received its first concrete pad upon which is going to stand the trough to hold the archimedean screw. You can see the shuttering being constructed to contain the second pouring.

Before:

After:

Whoever said concrete was pouring? (surely, "boring"? Ed.)

Blue sky thinking

2011-09-02T22:17:00.002+01:00

Some rather imaginative cloud formations this evening.

Iford Bridge concerns

2011-08-25T11:25:00.000+01:00

Widening and prolific cracks in an ancient bridge. Is that a good thing, maintenance-wise?

It belongs to English Heritage.
It is administered by Bath and North East Somerset Council.
It is at Iford.

Just asking.

Hydro-electric project: weeks 3, 4 & 5

2011-08-25T11:12:00.000+01:00

It has been fascinating to watch the speed with which our civil engineers and contractors, Suttle, have been able to undertake the work. With a '360' excavator and a dumper truck, you can turn a seemingly solid structure into a hole in a matter of days. Astonishing.

But first, I mentioned before the need to repair the weir, and to include fish and eel ladders.

The bulk of the repairs are now complete (above, week 3, with the concrete beam half-cast), the fish and eel ladders in place, and the concrete beam which raises the river height a little has now been poured (week 4, below):

I'd say it's a work of modernist beauty - and it's not often I compliment concrete. It was clear to see that the site manager was proud of the result too, which is always a good sign I think. Here it is with water flowing over it:

Because the team is now into the phase of construction where they will repair the mill leet, they have shuttered the river such that the weir is now taking the full flow. And doesn't it look spectacular?

And at the downstream level, work has commenced to create the hole for the enormous trough for the archimedean screw (replacing the former eel trap seeing in the last update's images). Aggregate was brought in to offer a slipway down to the river, and downstream shuttering now holds back the waters. Here is the 360 about to drive, with earth-shuddering power, a shuttering pile straight through the gravel, into the river bed. Thankfully there are very few rocks in the river here, so it's fairly easy going (if you are an excavator that is).

And now, the eel trap has been ripped out, and we just have a large hole developing, into which the concrete trough will be cast.

It is proving to be as intriguing and exciting as we had hoped.

Hydro-electric project: weeks 1 & 2

2011-08-20T10:09:00.000+01:00

##Note: I had intended to post this on 6 August, when I wrote it, but I pushed the wrong button and it ended up in drafts, so it's 2 weeks out of date. Another update this weekend, therefore, is on its way for week's 3 and 4.##

One of the most exciting projects in the valley is the construction of a hydro-electric plant in the former eel-trap (below) beside the weir (above).

Once complete, the system should generate enough energy to power between 10 and 15 homes (although the electricity will be sold to the grid initially at least) without impacting the local environment negatively at all.

It has always seemed daft to us that we have this powerful resource running through the valley which is essentially unharnessed. Indeed, the river at Iford has a long history of providing power in the past: originally Iford Mill had an undershot wheel, and it was in the 1930s or so that this was modified to power an early electricity generator. This was removed in the 1960s since the valley had been added to the grid (to the great satisfaction of residents who no longer had to contend with brown-outs and having to remove sheep, big-bales, and general river detritus from the grille in front of the generator). And so, after 50 years or so, the river will be returning to work.

For information on the mills in the area, try this excellent book: Wiltshire and Somerset Woollen Mills, Kenneth Rogers

With permissions received and paperwork signed-off, we have excitedly watched as the civil engineering work has begun. A benefit of this scheme is that it has provided the perfect opportunity to undertake repairs to the weir and mill leet, and whilst the Dutch firm Spaans-Babcock are manufacturing our 10ft diameter Archimedean screw, the repairs are underway first.
Above, the mill leet before clearing, and below a girder bridge is put in to access the weir with heavy plant.

And here's some of the land-based plant with a gratuitous advert for Suttle's, our contractor.

A collapse some years ago through undercutting has been used to create a fish-ladder as requested by the environment agency, and we are also creating an eel-pass which will assist the passage of elvers upstream; these measures should provide a positive benefit to the natural inhabitants of the river through the diversion of much of the water through the screw.
Below, the fish ladder during construction - it looks a lot better after it's finished apparently.

We'll report as the project takes shape, but having had five power cuts in the last three months, it is an exciting prospect to know that self-sufficiency will be just a cable's-run away in the future should we need to resort to that!
Above, the weir, dried out for inspection, before the major work commenced.

3-to-tea returns

2011-08-17T22:24:00.000+01:00

With the opera season now over for 2011, and to wide acclaim I might add, Iford returns to being more of a full-time garden, less a mixed-use venue. But music isn't out altogether; far from it. It brings us great pleasure to see the return of 3-to-tea, our series of concerts given by amateur and semi-professional musicians on Sunday afternoons in August.

The short recitals are free to garden visitors (just pay the normal garden entry), and provide a fabulous opportunity for anyone from aspiring young artists through to more experienced players to come and enjoy playing in an informal setting to a warm and very receptive audience.

Last Sunday Felicity Courage brought her group, the Courage Choir, to make merry music in the cloister and visitors were treated to a happy hour of song from this talented group of young singers. We hope that perhaps there are some stars of the future amongst them - remember us when you're famous!

Clandestine filming update

2011-07-28T22:48:00.001+01:00

Iford has had the pleasure of entertaining a crew this week filming for a new series on National Geographic. Here they are, half an hour ago, pictured on the bridge shooting a quiet night-time scene of the illuminated manor behind. (Note the car for added lighting effect.)

But what, you may ask, were they filming?

Strawberry action

2011-07-24T11:39:00.000+01:00

An action shot from this morning's marathon jam session: here you can see Housekeeper Susan (centre) directing operations. The tearoom at Iford uses an awful lot of jam, as you might imagine, for both cream teas and also the classic victoria sponge. Wherever possible, we try to use homemade jam, but this requires a lot of topping and chopping...

(I should clarify, I think, that the bottle of wine was not involved in the morning jam session, but was a left-over from last night!)

Iford Manor Teas continues to work with St. Johns, Cambridge

2011-07-16T11:25:00.000+01:00

Thanks to the ongoing support of Catering and Conference Manager, Bill Brogan, and following on from a successful May Ball serving over 2000 servings of tea to the revellers (see image), I return today to my alma mater to provide the tea for the Choir Reunion (and hopefully drink some of it and catch up some old friends).

Three of the happiest years of my life were spent singing in the choir at St. John's, Cambridge, and it is lovely to be able to maintain links with the college through the supply of fine teas (I gather that the fellows particularly enjoy the tea before dining in hall) as well as attending a reunion in this year of all years, the 500th anniversary of the college.

Tim Kliphuis DVD in the can

2011-07-04T10:06:00.000+01:00

On Thursday 30th June a lucky audience of 75 was treated to a spectacular concert given by Tim Kliphuis, the world-renowned violin improviser, in the cloister at Iford. Tim brought his quartet of David Newton (Piano), Roy Percy on Double Bass, and Nigel Clark on Guitar. Here they are in the garden at Iford:

Audience-members came from all over Europe to lend their support to the project, and support from the Iford Arts stewards was kindly provided to help run the Pimm's bar and to ensure that the evening ran as smoothly as it did.

The event (from picnics to the final chord) was recorded for DVD by a team of two cameramen and a sound man (who had come from Scotland the day before - only the best...); even the weather did its best to help, as the clouds of the afternoon we moved on by the evening sun.

The DVDs are already selling well by subscription, and you can pre-order your copies at heavily reduced prices on the Iford Recordings website:

==>> Order now -- www.IfordRecordings.co.uk <<==

Many thanks are due to Robert Coles for the photography; to Mickelburgh Pianos of Bath for the loan of a spectacularly good Kawai piano; to Sound Network UK for sponsoring the DPA microphones; to Iford Arts and their stewards for their assistance in running the event; to the audience for joining in so warmly; and to all others for their help.

Goodbye Hansel...

2011-07-03T20:09:00.000+01:00

We said goodbye to Hansel and Gretel this week, the first of this year's operas from Iford Arts. The production was a roaring success, I'm pleased to say, and received excellent reviews. The Iford Arts Flickr album is here.

During the "get out" there was an amusing moment when I spotted Alistair, one of the team of technicians, performing a PAT (electrical safety test) on the "baby Belling" which appeared not only physically as part of the set in the performance (within which the nasty witch of the wood was turned into a cup-cake), but also verbally in the libretto itself!

Today is butterfly day

2011-07-03T11:22:00.000+01:00

Iford today hosts a wonderful community event called "Butterfly Day", which is a celebration and exploration of the wildlife that we enjoy in the valley here at Iford. Click here for details.

In association with Butterfly Conservation, moth traps were set up last night, and a fantastic haul of around 60 different species of large moths are now on display. These will be released again at the end of the afternoon, of course!

This year we are particularly pleased to welcome the RSPB back with their fascinating displays of birdlife in the valley. In conjunction with the butterfly and moth brigade, they will be orchestrating wildlife walks during the afternoon around the meadows and hillsides.

And there's a little bonus for those with an interest in chiropterophilia too. The Vincent Wildlife Trust, with the help of Natural England which administers the Special Site of Scientific Interest in the valley, has set up an infrared camera to allow us to watch the baby Greater Horseshoe Bats in the barn. This protected species is very rare indeed, and so it is a great privilege to be able to see inside such a healthy roost.

It all kicks off at 11:30am, so we hope to see you later! And the best thing about Butterfly Day...? It's free to enter!

The tearoom will be open from 12 until 5, and the garden open as usual from 2pm.

Photos from the Jazz

2011-06-17T08:50:00.000+01:00

Rob Coles, photographer extraordinaire, has sent through these images from last weekend's jazz events. We particularly liked the image of the umbrellas, above.

Above: Anna, front of house manager, radio in one hand, phone in the other.

Below: Jim Hart mesmerises with his vibraphone

Above: not to be deterred by the rain, the plucky English take to an old oak tree for shelter

Below: Tina May wows the audience

Above: Digby Fairweather

Below: Digby Fairweather's Half Dozen

Below: yours truly preparing oil lamps with JH to light to route to the carpark.

All images copyright Robert Coles

A post for the mottephiliacs amongst you

2011-06-15T00:14:00.000+01:00

Today there was a flurry of excitement (which, considering how busy the day was, was an achievement in relative terms) when a garden visitor was quite sure that he had spotted a rare tiger moth flittering and fluttering against the window of the manor front door.

He said, if I recall correctly, that it was a scarlet tiger moth. Upon examination of the wonderful www.ukmoths.org.uk we have concluded that the identification was accurate, although we aren't sure of quite how rare it is.

This all bodes well for Iford's wildlife day on July 3rd this year, when Butterfly Conservation and the RSPB will be joining us, sponsored by the NFU Mutual, from 12 - 5pm. These days are great fun for parents and children alike, are free to attend, and a really brilliant addition to the start of the summer holidays with face-painting, photo competitions, butterfly walks around the valley and such like.

The tearoom will be open from 12pm on that day, serving a range of homemade cakes, cream teas, ice creams and such like and the garden will be open as usual from 2 - 5pm - entry to the wildlife day, though, is free for all.

Have a look at the post from last year's butterfly day, and then cross your fingers for good weather.

And what of that beautiful moth? We opened the door and released it onto a rosemary bush.

Slightly surreal goings on...

2011-06-14T23:56:00.001+01:00

June is a very busy month. Not only is it one of the most popular for garden group visits, requiring tea and cakes/biscuits/scones etc. to be made, tours to be conducted, and a lot of 'being on parade' (all of which we really rather enjoy, actually), but it is also the month when we welcome back the hoards of artists, opera singers, stage designers, directors, orchestras, stewards and other connected persons... it can only be the Iford Arts Season!

One of the benefits of this whirlwind of excitement are the slightly surreal sights and sounds which accompany the 'get-in' of an opera production - opera singers wearing 'half-costume' and 'representative make-up' trotting through the garden amongst the visiting public; final rehearsals as the musicians fit the production they had each envisaged in their own minds into the bizarre 'cloistered' reality with which they now have to contend; and this evening the wonder of walking into the kitchen to make a cup of tea only to find the Chroma chamber ensemble rehearsing in the courtyard just outside the window.

Marvellous. Simply marvellous.

Jazz2 - weather looking more promising

2011-06-11T18:03:00.000+01:00

We had a beautiful afternoon with a fair few visiting the garden and enjoying a cream tea in the tearoom. So it's therefore such a shame that it has clouded over. Nevertheless, out of the office window I can see streams of picnic-laden visitors brandishing their tickets, and the clouds seem to be lifting somewhat.

The Met Office's forecast makes for a great improvement on last night's drizzle-dampened promenade, so with sufficient fingers crossed... it might brighten up later - maybe even (dare we to dream?) some sunshine?

Tonight it's Digby Fairweather's Half Dozen (internationally celebrated and feted blues band) and Jim Hart (an extraordinary manipulator of the vibraphone) - should be quite a night!

Hearty jazz combats drizzle

2011-06-11T11:57:00.000+01:00

More than a little British resolve was required to sit out the showery drizzle which disturbed the natural order of things in the Iford valley last night in the run up to, and during the first hour of, the first Jazz Promenade of the season. Tents were erected wherever possible, umbrellas unfurled and the tearoom was turned into something of an impromptu picnic party as jazz aficionados made for shelter in some form or another.

Mind you, it could have been worse. They had snow in Wales... http://bit.ly/kpC665

But as the rain moved off around 8pm, damp revelers needn't have worried about the chill in the air. The warmth of Tina May's voice transported a packed cloister to the cafes of Paris, with beautiful Piaf-esque renditions of songs old and new.

At the Casita, swing was the order of the day, with The Numbers Racket offering no-excuse to the dance-shy - much energetic toe-tapping was enjoyed by all as the darkening grey of the sky yielded to the more optimistic yellows of electric light reflected off the floodlit trees and the golden cotswold stone.

Judging by the happy smiles on the faces of visitors as they returned to their cars, as usual on changeable evenings such as this, the plucky British concert-goers has indeed resolved to enjoy themselves: and enjoy themselves they did!

Without my tripod, my camera wasn't terribly happy last night, but here are a few images from the event which just about made the cut! Hopefully Iford Arts will post some more images when these are available.

Preparations for Jazz1

2011-06-10T15:56:00.000+01:00

Tonight sees the first night of the 2011 Iford Arts season. Preparations are in full swing, and I hope to post photographs of the event later tonight - it is currently a bit drizzly, but the forecast suggests it might well brighten up a bit, which would make the event all the more special.

Fingers crossed...

The joys of sunlight

2011-06-04T23:08:00.000+01:00

The light was playing games last night. So I set out to catch it red-handed:

Above: Wild garlic in the mill leet; below: the lantern in the oriental garden

Above: the lily pond lawn, back-lit

Below: a South-Devon from the Iford Valley herd moseys past.

Common Spotted Orchid

2011-06-01T22:21:00.000+01:00

A photograph from Stephen, our keen-eyed land agent, of the Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) seen in the valley yesterday.

For the past however many years, we have farmed the pasture land of the Iford valley with species conservation in mind. As proud landlords to a large colony of greater horseshoe bats (and accompanying Special Site of Scientific Interest), and with part of the estate in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this valley is never going to be appropriate for intensive agriculture - and nor should it be.

A sunlit evening

2011-05-30T22:40:00.000+01:00

After a Bank Holiday of miserable drizzle, the sun came out around 6pm. Iford has a habit of doing this after rainy days; we're not quite sure why (and frankly we don't really mind either), but we're very grateful for the charming evenings especially when the opera is on. Not that we're promising good weather or anything - to do so really would be one step beyond delusional.

This evening, however, a walk round the kitchen garden was called for, ostensibly to check up on how the fruit trees and 'painted meadow' area were getting on. Although armed with only a 'happy-snappy' camera, the evening yielded some romantic images thanks to the warm evening sun.

The kitchen garden is not ordinarily open to the public, however coach groups may be able to visit the garden out of hours by prior arrangement as a part of a visit to Iford. We have always encouraged groups, especially those with a strong interest in plants or design, to come out of hours because we can offer exclusive use of the garden, ensuring no-one gets in the way of the photographs.

Above: a rose on the gatehouse wall (can you spot what variety it is, anyone?);

Below: fantin latour with its old-world looks and gorgeous scent in the kitchen garden.

Above: another rose the name of which we don't know (help, anyone?)

Below: this rather charming dog rose was given to my grandmother (pre-1988 therefore) by a gardener who had tended a garden in Rode, a nearby village, for many years. He was so distraught that this garden was to be obliterated by development, that he passed around many of the plants to save them. This is one such:

Above: the painted meadow, still something of a blank green canvas, awaits the flowering of the wildflowers and "weeds". Weeds are, after all, only perfectly good plants in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Below: Valerian adorns the road wall.

Above: A 'greater-crested, fan-tailed Iford turkey' in topiary, and it's accompanying 'twizzler'

Below: the kitchen garden path glows

A visit from Songways

2011-05-21T12:38:00.000+01:00

With increasing popularity (nearly fifty attendees this year), we were delighted to welcome another Songways Singing Day to Iford on 18th May, led by Jane Harris,

Songways runs community choirs in Bath and Trowbridge, promoting singing for the sake of singing within a a wonderful community which brings great joy to the participants. Beginners are especially welcome, but they have experienced singers involved as well. To learn more, or to join, visit www.songways.co.uk

We look forward to seeing them next year.

Colour blind...

2011-05-01T20:40:00.000+01:00

It is not uncommon for us to be asked how, as an essentially evergreen, structural garden with limited manpower, we manage to keep the garden colourful and interesting throughout the season. Well, it's a tricky one. We're not a rose garden particularly, our borders cannot benefit from "cottage colour", and we restrict ourselves where possible in our planting to historic forms which would have been available in Peto's time (i.e. pre-1933).

The key to the challenge is, of course, pots, just as it is in Mediterranean gardens. Lots of pots, in fact, and strategically placed. As the season goes on, I will write a post following Robert, gardener in charge, as he puts together these pots, tubs, basins and hanging baskets for the changing seasons. The plants themselves have to come from somewhere, though, and having had a very warm March and April, and with almost everything flowering simultaneously, there is an even more pressing need for pottable pelargoniums, fuscias, geraniums etc. to be brought on ready for later. And here are some of them in the greenhouse:

Garden Update 1 May 2011

2011-05-01T19:55:00.001+01:00

Well, we're all having a cup of tea at Iford with our feet up for an hour after a busy day in the garden and washing up in the tearoom. It is always lovely to see people enjoying the garden and socialising over a scone! Indeed, what better way to spend the afternoon, I ask?

With good weather, sunshine indeed, forecast for Bank Holiday Monday afternoon (open 2 - 5pm; tearoom from 2.30), I thought it might be useful to put up some photographs of the garden this evening, so that anyone waiting for a particular moment to make their move and visit can see what's out and what's not (as at 7pm today):

The casita garden and its wisteria are just coming into their own in May:

Other parts of the garden are also floribund:

And the mysterious oriental garden's irises are in bud, whilst the japanese cherry (image at top of post) glows in the sunlight:

Congratulations from all at Iford

2011-04-29T16:09:00.000+01:00

The team at Iford sends hearty congratulations to the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

In honour of this great occasion, Britannia herself dressed in her finest. Speaking earlier this morning, she explained that she had wanted to wear her favourite Union Flag Shawl, but unfortunately her dresser was unable to reach that high so she had to content herself with this exquisite example of a traditional apron.

Opening Times for the May Bank Holiday weekend

2011-04-28T17:56:00.000+01:00

After a phenomenally busy Easter weekend, we have received lots of enquiries about this coming weekend. Thus, here's a quick clarification on Iford's opening times over the Bank Holiday weekend:

Sunday and Monday, 2-5pm
Teas from 2.30pm on each day.

The wisteria is out, which is rather unexpectedly early - if you are a wisteria fanatic, I guess you've probably got about 2 weeks before much of it is over: hurry!

A batch of photos of the garden as it stands, on the way shortly (once I can find the cable for the camera!)

Tim Kliphuis DVD update

2011-04-09T18:19:00.002+01:00

Pre-sales of the Tim Kliphuis DVD are now underway, and it's proving popular. If you haven't ordered your copies at the promotional rates, (just £25 for 2 - usually £20 each!), then perhaps you ought pop along to Iford Recordings and snap up a few. They'll be delivered in late October (the recording is in late June), ready to be put to good use as prezzies at Christmas.

We are also very pleased to announce that the recording is kindly supported by Mickleburgh Pianos of Bath. Mickleburgh Bath has an extensive range of new and reconditioned upright and grand pianos over two floors, plus a good selection of digital pianos to choose from, and are always there to help anyone from the beginner to the advanced pianist.

New season approaches

2011-04-01T08:53:00.000+01:00

It is always an optimistic time of year, full of anticipation, as we approach the first open day of the season. The blossom is out, the wisteria is in bud, the magnificent magnolia goblets opening to drink in the relative warmth of spring - indeed, the garden is running a bit ahead of schedule this year owing to the warm, dry March.

This Sunday 3rd April, we welcome in the public visitor for another year. The garden will be open from 2-5pm, and Susan will be providing her Housekeeper's homemade teas, albeit with a slightly reduced menu in early April (cakes not scones, basically...).

Why not pop along to visit us this Spring?

2011-03-23T12:57:00.000Z

You just can't feel melancholic when cherry blossom is around. Fact. You see, even the photo made you happier.

And so it is for the birds also, who have started their orchestral mutterings this week in particular with great determination, as if tuning up for the symphony to come over the coming months.

There is something about the cherry blossom which enforces communal satisfaction. So with that in mind, here are some images for general happiness.

And the award for Best Supporting Actor goes to... the grape hyacinth collective

Even the moss was aglow today, growing on today's featured cherry tree

And bizarrely, the first frond of wisteria has come out. A bit early, I'd say. But it's going to make for a lovely visit on Iford's first open day of the season this year: Sunday 3rd April, 2-5pm

Spring, mark 2.

2011-03-13T20:15:00.000Z

Spring arrived properly this week. Here is another volley of photos from the garden, taken yesterday afternoon. Magnolia budding up:

The ornamental cherry gives a subtle hint of what's to come:

Here seen from the other side of the fish pond:

A rose waits for the right moment:

The Oriental garden, youthful light greens sneaking in:

And finally, showing how fast stone will darken after sheering off. The top section sheered off in 2010. The bottom chunk fell away in February. Nature doing its bit - not much we can do about that...

Iford Recordings: a new venture

2011-03-09T17:49:00.000Z

I am delighted to announce plans for the very first DVD recorded in association with Iford Arts, in the wonderfully romantic Cloisters at Iford. This is a project born out of a long-standing desire to bring the atmosphere and intimacy of this extraordinary space to a wider audience, and to do so by working with artists who truly understand the acoustic, ambience and ethos of Iford, both as a community and as an idyllic valley.

Last year, Iford Arts invited Tim Kliphuis and his trio to perform a concert as part of Iford's ongoing series of Jazz promenade evenings. It became very clear from the start that we had in our midst a rather special creator of inspirational music.

After the concert of gypsy-inspired, improvisatory genius, I approached Tim and asked him speculatively what he thought of the venue for recordings. We fell to chatting as he loaded the car. Four months later, he sent me an email, and the project was born. Tim, it seems, had caught the Iford bug...

Visiting us as a quartet, this time, Tim will be bringing the world-renowned jazz pianist David Newton, who has himself recorded with some of the world's great jazz singers and players. We'll be able to release more information on the line-up as time goes on (well, you wouldn't want to know it all at once, now, would you?).

The important information, however, is that you can pre-order the DVD at a special price, for delivery in November 2011. Now, the special offer is 2 for £25 (normally £20 each!) - one for you, and one for a friend at Christmas.

The recording will take place in June, and we are planning a DVD packed full not only of the live concert in the cloisters, but including those little vignettes which make DVDs so intriguing - the bits you don't see when you go to the lovely polished concert.

Order your copies now, at this special price: www.IfordRecordings.co.uk/kliphuis.html

The green shoots of recovery

2011-03-09T11:29:00.001Z

Nope, not an article about the economy, sadly. However following a second harsh winter in a row, it never ceases to amaze me how nature bounces back with her trademark optimism: spring flowers and green shoots.

Here are some photographs of the garden taken yesterday, in the soft evening light unique to the early spring. Note the winter housing still covering much of the statuary. They don't like the cold much. And as for the bald patches in the borders (it's only March after all), I love seeing the signs of potential as the bedding plants unravel, reaching up to the sun, stretching for the warmth of the months to come. Lovely.

A quick trip to Naples

2011-02-28T09:04:00.000Z

Last week, our family took a rare trip away. To the casual observer, it could have been seen as a holiday. However, fact it was really a business research trip in disguise, for we were visiting the Naples region to examine the influences that the Roman remains would have had on Harold Peto's work and his design motivation - it is believed that he visited the area a number of times.

It was fascinating and not a little surprising to see quite so many similarities so easily, between the realisation of Peto's vision at Iford and the Roman design influences of 2000 years ago. Over the coming days I'll be writing up our trip on the blog, to illustrate some of the most interesting features we noted. However what was most clear was that we needed a lot longer, and this calls for another trip some day: what a pity!

For now, though, here's a photograph of Vesuvius towering above the forum at Pompeii, showing why February is such a great time to go to these places - there was almost nobody there!

Iford Manor Teas awaits new samples

2011-02-07T23:06:00.001Z

Over in the tea packing department, I'm excitedly awaiting new samples of tea, rather like a child expecting the imminent arrival of Santa Claus - only in my case the 'presents' are delivered by a brown uniformed UPS chap, rather than a red uniformed Laplander. But the inner child's the same!

These samples are coming from rural Taiwan for a rather upmarket Somerset hotel which has asked me to pop over and see if we can't upgrade the tea they serve. I'm quite sure we can, so I'm looking forward to that, and just hoping the samples are here in time - you see, it's really all about connoisseurship: not accepting the mediocre, just because it's what happens to be the norm. Peto knew that too, and you see it through his garden at Iford, so I try to bring this same element to my work with the tea company.

It's always an exciting time of year in the tea world as the first pickings come around in March usually. More excitement on that front next month! If you haven't taken a look at our fine teas, you could do worse than to pop over to www.ifordmanorteas.co.uk, and also www.ifordmanor.co.uk/tea_room.html.

Iford Arts looks forward to the season ahead

2011-02-07T22:41:00.001Z

Judy, the Artistic Director at Iford Arts sent this report (a fortnight ago; I'm just slow!):

"At Iford Arts we fancy ourselves as 'West Coast' Wilts, with a laid back atmosphere and informal approach. Gearing up for this summer’s season we’re already busy with mailshots, auditions, and random propositions and requests from places like Shanghai – I kid you not – and Corfu. The new season’ s brochure is just launched and a mailshot of nearly 4000 stuffed and franked by a team of 11 volunteers who then enjoyed a celebratory lunch in the Green Room upstairs. It was a very jolly occasion much enjoyed by all and oiled by a few bottles of wine left over from last season.

Casting for our two shows, Hansel and Gretel and Rodelinda is going well with some exciting newcomers in significant roles. Ciara Hendrick and Aiofe O’ Sullivan are a dinky and disarming pair as Hansel and Gretel, both very spontaneous and unmannered, lovely at Iford! Our witch, whose eyes are unnervingly sparkly is one third of the Three Welsh Tenors, Alun Rhys-Jenkins. We can’t wait! Rodelinda has the beginnings of a starry line-up with James Laing and Owen Willetts, Doreen Curran, but as yet no Rodelinda…. I know that The Don in Don Giovanni will be the dishy James Cleverton and we’re waiting eagerly to see who else will be conducted in that Opera della Luna production by our latest young maestro – winner of the Leeds conducting competition - Geoffrey Paterson.

Judging by the phone response to the brochure (when we can hear the callers-I am sure our phone line runs through a puddle and is hideously fuzzy right now) we may have caused confusion by getting the renowned jazz diva, Tina May here to sing what is really non-jazz repertoire, ie Edith Piaf, on June 10th. She is a superb vocalist and chanteuse and I believe these poignant songs will be absolutely fabulous in the cloister, even if not strictly jazz repertoire.

But our biggest challenge is to bring off the extension to our programming as we expand our outreach work with Chroma to include a schools’ matinee show of Hansel and Gretel – we are trying for the Pavilion in Bath - but have to raise the cash! A huge challenge but worthwhile. The covers scheme is growing too with a narrated concert style Hansel and Gretel to be sung by the cover singers with the orchestra in the cloister, but we are still seeking a host for one of the cover concerts – the Handel one.

It's all cooking well!"

>> You can follow Iford Arts on Facebook, here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Iford-Arts/168502343261

Britannia, the waves, and optimistic birdsong

2011-01-18T11:21:00.000Z

Last night's rains are just now heading rapidly downstream, and the river is flowing jolly fast, not aided by the 30ft tree which fell into it three days ago and has now lodged fast under the bridge. Britannia is certainly ruling the waves today!

Weatherwise it hasn't been a great start to the year at Iford, indeed recent days have required the judicious placement of buckets under parts of the roof where tiles have slipped over the winter months (surprisingly common as anyone living under a very old stone roof will attest!).

This morning, by contrast, I was awoken by nature's own alarm clock: birdsong and sunlight. It reminded me of just how wonderfully infectious is the optimism held by our native songbirds on a bright winter's morning, as they anticipate the arrival over the hill of the warming rays of the sun.

You can't help but think happy thoughts of summer and the year ahead when greeted by such cacophony of joy.

The cats didn't notice, of course, steadfastly remaining in the warmth of the kitchen, protesting at the poor breakfast service from the staff (us). Below: the matriarch Lily (right) and her son,11 years old but still a mummy's boy, (left).

Snowfall report

2010-12-21T20:04:00.000Z

Well, after a couple of days cut off from non-essential traffic, we've dug ourselves out and are now accessible once again! I even managed to do some Christmas shopping in the increasingly well-appointed Bradford-on-Avon whose shops are positively ideal for Christmas gifts, all within easy reach of free car parks.

This recent snowfall wasn't the prettiest example of the white blanket, but here are a few photos from a couple of days ago. We'll be hunting for a Christmas tree tomorrow, so crossing fingers for a bit of a thaw!

And there were in the same country...

2010-12-15T00:31:00.001Z

...shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Or so the story goes.

A recent arrival to the Iford nativity scene came courtesy of our very kind Bavarian cousins; on a recent visit to the Christmas market in Salzburg, and recalling our small collection of traditional, carved wooden figures, they rang up enquiring whether or not there was a pressing need for any characters from the story. After a little thought, it was considered that the arrival of a shepherd might complement the ox and ass already assembled in the scene, awaiting the arrival of the key protagonists. And so it was that a parcel arrived in the post a few days ago containing a small flock of beautifully carved sheep, along with their shepherd (to join the sheepdog which for a number of years had been keeping the ox and ass in line).

You might also wonder what the "stable" is formed from - it is in fact a piece of ivy, stripped of its bark, and sand-papered to give a very smooth finish akin to ivory. Ivy forms the most wonderful shapes, often joining back on itself as it winds around a tree trunk or stump. In a separate post I'll put up some images of other ivy creations from cuts taken off trees on the estate - anyone can make them (you just need to find some interesting ivy - ask the owner first though!) and they are wonderfully organic, tactile and engaging pieces when finished.

The last vestiges of Autumn

2010-11-09T15:18:00.000Z

What a damp chill in the air today! Autumn is most definitely losing its battle against winter's vanguard. A couple of days ago I was out in the garden with the camera and I was lucky enough to enjoy a half hour's sunshine in the morning. Light never ceases to amaze me.

[apologies for image quality - something went awry with the compression for web - if anyone's desperate, I can have another try]

Avon Valley Runners - Over the hills race

2010-11-07T19:22:00.000Z

The public opening season has ended with the passing of October, and every year the valley seems to become a little quieter without the welcome patter of visiting feet and coach parties. Now, walkers and cyclists, and the odd horse, potter through on lazy afternoons, and fishermen sit in morning mists under chilly willows as they drop their remaining leaves, waiting for that all important bite.

It can make for quite a sudden change of pace, which is why one of the highlights of November is the arrival of the over-the-hills race, organised by the Avon Valley Runners, and which takes its 300 or so competitors over a gruelling eight mile mud-fest, the spectatorial highlight of which (and perhaps the low point for the runners!) is the fording of the river at the Iford bridge.

This is always an interesting affair, and on occasion the river has been too high to allow safe passage. This year however, the hardy annual runners were greeted by a supporting crowd some thirty strong, and a glorious view of the manor and bridge, with the river still very low through lack of rain.

It is common for one or two to take a dunking, usually through over-optimistic miscalculations of the safe velocity for making the crossing; however for any lucky souls that do make it across with incautious abandon, a steep eight foot climb up the opposite bank and a half mile haul up the Iford carriage drive to the top of the hill wipes away any remaining smug smiles.

It's always a very jolly event, and I understand that the organising club is regularly oversubscribed for entries. If you'd like to run in the race next year, you'll need to get over to the Avon Valley Runners website for more details. There's an interactive map with photos of the course.

Historic Houses Association - Hugh Shirreff Lecture

2010-10-29T22:36:00.002+01:00

I spent a fascinating few hours at Westonbirt today - at the house, not the arboretum - attending the Hugh Shirreff memorial lecture for the Historic Houses Association. This is an annual event which moves around the country and which, since 2000, has been hosted by various of the HHA's member houses.

This year the lecture was held in Westonbirt, and given by Dr Joseph Mordaunt-Crook, a pre-eminent historian who specialises in the lifestyles of the Victorian millionaires, and the rather personal idiosyncrasies of their individual styles. Dr. Mordaunt-Crook gave a fascinating and entertaining tour of the (in some cases quite ghastly) examples of Victorian over-spend by the industrial 'arrivistes' seeking to establish for themselves a level of credibility commensurate with their wealth, concluding that it was unlikely that a period would ever be seen again in the UK where such extravagance was displayed so widely.

I wonder whether the same can be said for India, China and the other developing economies though? A good time to be a luxury builder in those countries one might think!

Iford has been an HHA member for as long as I can remember. For anyone that doesn't know (and therefore should!), the Historic Houses Association is an organisation that represents 1500 privately-owned historic houses, castles and gardens throughout the UK. These are listed buildings or designated gardens, usually Grade I or II*, and are often outstanding. Many are considered to be iconic symbols of Britain's unique heritage. Interestingly HHA properties represent more than the sum of National Trust and English Heritage properties put together!

About 300 of these properties are open to the public and HHA Friends can enter for free. Friends membership is excellent value and offers a range of further benefits, including the opportunity to take part in exclusive tours of otherwise 'not open' HHA properties.

The joy of visiting an HHA property is that there is almost always someone 'there' - a resident, a presence, creating the soul which turns the house into a home. For more information, or to become a Friend, visit:

http://www.hha.org.uk/about-us.html

Salvator Rosa at Dulwich Picture Gallery

2010-10-25T21:41:00.001+01:00

A little off-topic, but... today we spent an enormously enjoyable afternoon on a rare day out to the Dulwich Picture Gallery in South London, visiting the current exhibition of works by Salvator Rosa, a Naples-born artist of not inconsiderable ability. His story is an interesting one in itself, and Wikipedia offers a good distilled version.

Although his own interests lay in at times bizarre depictions of witchcraft and associated imagery, the gallery curator, Xavier Salomon, explained to us that were it not for his landscapes, this artist would not be considered in such high regard.

Details of the exhibition can be found here (http://bit.ly/aAnBl9) and I would urge you to visit if you get a chance. The exhibition runs until 28 November 2010.

Images courtesy Wikipedia

Gardeners World... listen again

2010-10-22T21:33:00.001+01:00

If you missed Joe Swift introducing us all to the delights of evergreens, you can now listen again on the i-player.

http://bbc.in/90gC9W

And don't forget that Iford is open for two more Sundays this year, on the 24th and 31st October, 2-5pm.

Iford on Gardeners World: Friday 22 Oct 2010 - 8.30pm

2010-10-20T23:04:00.000+01:00

A little flurry of excitement, combined with a small dose of 'warm feeling inside'... Iford will appear on BBC Gardeners World this Friday 22nd October at 8.30pm.

We were delighted to welcome presenter Joe Swift, along with a charming crew and their lady Director a week ago, to film a piece related to evergreens, and their use in planting schemes. Sadly the sun only came out for the BBC during their last hour of filming, but we're very excited to see how this experienced team has captured the essence of the garden during what has proved to be a colourfully dramatic autumn.

For the team at Iford, both for the residents but more especially for the gardening team, to be visited (completely unprompted really) by the UK's prime-time gardening programme, is a matter of no little pride and a lovely surprise too!

Thank you Gardeners World - you're always welcome.

For more information on the broadcast or to listen again (if you're busy on a Friday night...):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/

Before and after: putting the patio garden to bed

2010-10-20T22:41:00.000+01:00

In Peto's patio garden at Iford, texture and scent are integral to the planting scheme through the use of pelargoniums and geraniums with their wonderfully textured leaves, which give off a range of smells from the peppery to the minty. Peto's great maxim was that one should never allow either the structure or the planting to dominate, rather it is the balance between the two which ensures a pleasing balance to the design, and it is with this in mind that we maintain and design the planting in this area.

As winter approaches, it is clearly necessary to prepare the beds before the cold arrives. With a potential light frost forecast for this week, Tuesday was tidying-up day. Owing to the fact that it is nearing the end of the growing season and the plants are often somewhat due a haircut in any case, it is always something of a stark contrast in terms of a 'before and after'.

Cuttings are taken for next year's pots and bedding, and the rest goes off to the compost heap to be returned later in the winter as top-dressing. So here is the before and after comparison. Can you spot the difference?! (sorry about the contrast... the sun came out today!)

Before

After

Autumn colour - a photo-montage

2010-10-20T22:09:00.000+01:00

Autumn is one of my favourite times of year; there's nothing quite like the emotional hit you get from the shimmering of soft shallow light off yellowing leaves - melancholic perhaps, but ever so romantic at Iford!

Here are some images from this year, mostly taken this morning, some a week or so ago. And don't forget, Iford's gardens are open for two more Sundays this year - on the 24th and 31st October, 2-5pm.

Bedding-up for the winter

2010-09-28T19:11:00.000+01:00

Whilst people are getting their borders ready for bed in preparation for winter dormancy, it's a good time too to be moving those fruit and veg for next year. In this little album, taken early last week, Robert and his team prepare new beds for asparagus and strawberries in the walled garden using an excellent load of manure from the estate's stableyard.

The ground, marked out and aerated, is covered in manure.

Topsoil from alongside the bed is heaped over the manure to leave a clean, fertile bed.

Into this were planted asparagus plants - they always look so weedy like this, don't they? But what a vegetable, especially the first young sprigs of the year, briefly fried off in olive oil and peppercorns, with a squeeze of lemon and slithers of parmesan... mmm.

With the final dressing of manure over the top, and it's done.

Planted next door, the strawberries will of course become next year's jam for the tearoom, and after Susan's triumph at the fête this year, who knows what heights next year's bottled delights will bring! But you can only get it at Iford with a warm, just-from-the-oven scone or inside a Victoria Sponge.

Autumn leaves

2010-09-17T11:16:00.000+01:00

Well, you certainly know it's autumn when...

Apples are falling, ripe damsons soften on the tree (looking forward to 'jamming' those), a misty 5 degrees greets you when you get up, and the first colours start to change in the garden. And yet, summer seems somehow to be clinging on, for when the sun is out, it's fairly warm. Still, it won't be long before we're raking and blowing the leaves off the lawns daily - a broadly thankless, but crucial task to avoid damage to the sward.

Mowing day again

2010-09-17T00:26:00.000+01:00

The near perfect combination of sunshine and rain, with moderate temperatures has meant the lawns are putting on a lot of late summer growth this year. Today was mowing day again, generally a Thursday at Iford, and the full team was on the case.

Here Tom (pictured), who is currently studying at Lackham College and undertaking part of his practical training within the team at Iford, creates some excellent 'lines' on the rear terrace.

We're jammin'...

2010-09-11T15:51:00.002+01:00

Around this time of year we have what has become a tradition where we wander out to look at the orchard and despair at "the amount of fruit which will no doubt once again go to waste and wouldn't it be nice if we could do something with it, but we're a bit busy this year what with the farm harvest etc. so we'll have to plan better for next year". Well, whilst not entirely ready to embrace full fruit harvest usage from the orchard on site, I have this year tried to break the pattern, experimentally at least.

Jam.
It all started a couple of years ago when my now-mother-in-law Pauline gave us some delicious raspberries from her own production and since we were unable to eat them all (and boy, did we have a go at it!) we decided to make them into jam. It proved so easy that I concluded even a novice like me could do this, and so now, two years on, I have cleaned out our local Sainsbury shelves of jam sugar and I'm experimenting with the harvest at Iford.

What has surprised me the most, I think, is discovering the variety of what we have growing not only in the orchard and kitchen garden but also elsewhere around the estate, in hedgerows, thickets and the like, trees, shrubs and vines which I had never really stopped to appreciate for their full potential. Mulberries (excellent coulis for lemon sorbet), whitecurrants, shropshire bullace... One such group of trees was pointed out to me by my own mother, Elizabeth, as being suited to jam production - cherry plums - I had, perhaps to my discredit, never even heard of or seen a cherry-plum fruit!

And so Claire and I collected around a kilo and a half of these ripe over-sized cherries, all dangly-down on the branches. The roe deer had browsed the shelves somewhat, up to about four feet or so, but there were plenty left at loftier heights. We got them home and being "rather busy"(!) we put them in the freezer. Today, I got them out (yes, okay, no need for innuendo-filled comments...).

I'll tell you what I did, because the results were reasonably good - anyone with any tips, feel free to chip in with comments. After removing the grottier ones, they weighed just about 1.3kg. There's supposed to be a fair amount of pectin in plum-like fruit, and this being prunus cerisifera I supposed we were dealing with the same, so rather than use only jam sugar (i.e. added pectin), I used 1kg of jam sugar with 300g demarera.

The cherries went into the saucepan with a little water.

Over a medium heat they were boiled and broken down (squidging them on the side of the pan with a wooden spoon so they pop can provide endless fun!)...

They were then seived to remove stones and skins first through a [literarily confusing] collander...

...and then a finer seive. The resultant liquor was an astonishing colour, and went back into the pan with the sugar and a knob of butter. Apparently this gives a nice shine to the jam when finished (is this right??).

A squeeze of lime seemed a good idea at the time too, both because of the flavour of the mixture and because something told me the citric acid would act as a preservative (Any thoughts??)

The mixture was boiled for about 4 minutes, until the back-of-the-teaspoon trick suggested it was ready, and then poured into sterilised and pre-heated kilner jars (with a bit of overflow... for my breakfast).

Fingers crossed it will set nicely! I'll report back once we've tried it on a few people.

[UPDATE]
So, the result was that despite positive indications, it was a bit runny. Re-boiling it was the answer and had I not been over-zealous with the reboiling (which took out a good mug's-worth of water) we'd have had an excellent jelly/jam. Amazingly clear, which was nice, and of good flavour (especially nice on toast), but unfortunately the consistency of gluey quince cheese... oh well, there's always next year!

Final floral fling for the painted meadow

2010-09-09T15:03:00.000+01:00

It was the last haircut for the paths through the painted meadow this morning (group visits by appointement) and also for the lawns in the front of the walled garden.

These lawns are important because they are the public face from the bridge, so despite not being open to the public on a daily basis, the accurate clipping of the topiary Greater Crested Iford Fantailed Chickens (!) and some neat lines through the lawn are essential for a good first impression.

Earwig-oh, earwig-oh, earwig-oh...

2010-09-09T11:27:00.000+01:00

Just a question really...

Has anyone else suddenly had the most enormous hatching of earwigs? There's one small area of corridor in the house which has seemingly, and suddenly, become the mating ground for all Forficula auricularia.

They all came out last night, and are now littering the flagstones. Any thoughts?

Better-than-sticky 'fate' for Susan's jam in village competition

2010-09-03T13:26:00.001+01:00

Excited news from the Westwood village fête last weekend.

Susan, Iford's Housekeeper who runs the tearoom over the summer, entered a pot of her increasingly popular Strawberry Jam, made using Iford's own strawberries grown in the kitchen garden, and enjoyed by many with their fresh scones and local clotted cream.

To everyone's delight, Susan won the jam prize. So now we can proudly say that Iford's cream teas come with "award winning jam!". Top stuff; well done Susan!

Here's a [rather grainy - sorry] photo of the jam's proud creator, holding court at the tearoom window. Perhaps if there's a demand, some little jars of the stuff will appear next year. Who knows?

Late summer and mellow fruitfulness

2010-08-28T22:35:00.000+01:00

A warm balmy afternoon greeted those that ventured out today to visit us after a week of solid rain. Pity the farmers trying to get their crops in (fortunately our barley was taken off before the rains came), nevertheless gardeners and their gardens will be breathing a sigh of relief at the return of decent levels of ground water. Everything has greened up for a final late summer flourish.

I love this time of year as the literal fruits of one's labour are available straight from the tree or vine. Tonight we were excited to discover a heavy crop of ripe figs in the kitchen garden. It's an old tree, which may even pre-date Harold Peto's arrival in Iford (i.e. pre-1899), yet every year it produces a prolific crop of brown turkey figs, although rarely do we have enough sun to ripen so many of them. This evening, I roasted them with balsamic vinegar and honey, and a pinch of ginger & cinnamon. Satisfyingly fresh, simple food.

And so here are some photographs to delight and entice, taken this very evening around 7.15pm.

Photo shoot

2010-08-18T12:53:00.000+01:00

Last week we were privileged to host the crew shooting for a future issue of an august knitwear publication, in and around the garden. It is always a marvel to me how the fashion shoots manage to be so lucky with the weather at Iford. Despite the day before having been depressingly drizzly and grey, they managed to arrive on the one day last week when we had patchy (but dry!) sunshine all day.

Though I am certainly not their target market, even to a woolly-Luddite like me it was clear that the knitted garments which they brought with them (to clothe statues and models in appropriate poses) were utterly gorgeous.

Such fashion shoots are important to Iford because they contribute not only to the wider use of the garden in general but also provide important revenue to enable us to continue with the maintenance and restoration of the garden. But there are definitely shoots and shoots... some are assiduously sympathetic to the place and take infinite care not to damage the property - others, sadly, are less so. Last week's crew was, thankfully, firmly in the former group, and it was a complete pleasure to host them.

If you would like to use Iford as a location, please contact our agents: Sarah Eastel Locations

Round 6 of the Maxxis Motocross

2010-08-17T18:40:00.001+01:00

Farleigh Castle circuit, at the other end of the Iford estate from the manor, hosted Round 6 of this year's Maxxis British MotoCross Championship. Seen amongst 'aficionados' as one of the great natural tracks (the track has been in annual use since 1936, so it's something of a grandfather in the sporting heirarchy!), old-school riding styles were required to negotiate the challenging terrain, bumps and steep terraces.

A report here from This is Somerset
and here from the official MXGB site

Judging by their attire, a few of the large crowd that attended the weekend event from all over the UK and Europe also took the time to walk over to the tearoom at Iford along the riverside footpath, where they found, hopefully to their satisfaction, something of a contrast from the petrol fuelled excitement at Farleigh!

A highly successful end to the main music season

2010-08-17T18:06:00.000+01:00

Last Saturday saw the final Jazz Promenade of the season, and thankfully the weather turned out to be [relatively] kind, although it was threatening. The morning and afternoon brought consistent showers, which sent worried shivers through the set-up team, contemplating with horror a return to last year's quagmire-car parks, sodden lawns and slippery steps.

The sodden sweet peas may have looked pretty, but picnic brollies were an essential upon arrival:

As usual, though, we confirmed the weather in its better behaviour by putting up more and more tents!

By about 7.30pm, just in time for the music, you wouldn't have known it was the same day from the photographs.

The 'macintosh'-clad audience was treated first to some wonderfully intimate Flamenco in the cloister where Eclipse held a capacity audience entranced by their beguiling Spanish dance. By the end of their set, there wasn't a cloud in the sky over the Casita, which provided a complete contrast with revved up Cuban rhythms from the masterful Mojito, encouraging much revelry. A fuller report will no doubt follow with photographs from the team at Iford Arts.

From our perspective, as the venue itself, we were particularly pleased that each of the bands expressed themselves very happy with the space in which they performed; this really is as important as anything to us - happy musicians = happy audiences!

Well done to Iford Arts and their volunteers on organising another great night and a fantastic season of events.

(Performance photos to follow.)

Festival season update

2010-07-29T14:36:00.012+01:00

The 2010 Iford Festival has been a great success. Handel's Xerxes went off with a bang (pyrotechnics, and the blowing up of a bridge!), and we are now in the last two weeks of the season, with Iford Festival Productions' Rigoletto ending the season with a flourish.

I thought you'd like to see some photos of the two Iford Festival Productions - Xerxes and Rigoletto. For more photos, have a look at Iford Arts on facebook. If you've been to any of the shows or jazz proms this year, it would be wonderful if you could post up some reviews or comments, either here, or on facebook. Thanks!

Successful Cinders, and £40 special ticket offer

2010-07-08T13:07:00.017+01:00

The first opera of the 2010 Iford Festival - Rosinni's La Cenerentola (Cinderella) - was a great success. Here's some photos to excite the taste buds!

There are only 5 tickets remaining for the second opera of the season - Handel's Serse (Xerxes) - and these are now on offer at the special price of £40 a ticket. Number of tickets per night as follows: Friday 9 July - 1 ticket; Wed 14 July - 2 tickets; Friday 16 July - 1 ticket; Saturday 17 July - 1 ticket.

To book, ring our box office at the Theatre Royal, Bath 01225 448844.

For more information about Serse, visit the Iford arts website: www.ifordarts.co.uk

Bye for now,
Jonelle

Terms and conditions: The £40 special ticket offer is subject to ticket availablity and only applies to telephone bookings. Credit card bookings are subject to a transaction fee of £3.00. Tickets booked previously fall outside this offer and cannot be refunded. Iford Arts, The Gatehouse, Iford Manor, BA15 2BA

Butterflies flutter by...

2010-06-29T00:04:00.000+01:00

Your regular author apologises for the lack of posts over the past month - he has been taking his Masters exams at the Royal Agricultural College and then catching up on the piles of post which built up during the period! Over the next few weeks I hope to bring you up to date on the past month at Iford, starting with the wonderful events of "butterfly day", yesterday.

Run jointly between Butterfly Conservation and Iford Arts, this wonderful free event is aimed at both children and adults, and was held this year on Sunday 27th June in the baking heat of a glorious weekend. With England playing Germany that afternoon, those that came to Iford had the better fortune, avoiding the disappointment of a somewhat predictable televised exit from that esteemed sporting competition.

The lepidopterists and other wildlife experts had set up traps overnight in the Iford valley, and the 80 species of moth caught were on display for inspection by the 250 plus children and accompanying adults that visited us on the day. [When the list of sightings both for butterflies and moths is available, it will be posted on this blog].

Inside the marquee, kindly donated by NFU Mutual Insurance, there were activities galore, including storytelling, paint-a-butterfly (or moth!), decorate a butterfly cupcake, and perhaps most popular of all, facepainting.

For the more inquisitive of our younger visitors there was a treasure hunt, which encouraged children to learn about trees through exploration and research, and for the adventurous, guided walks through the long wild flower meadows were available for keen-eyed butterfly-spotters. The photographically entered a competition on the day of butterflies and moths sighted during these walks, and hopefully we can post the winning image on this blog soon.

Butterfly friendly plants were available from a stall run by Downside Nurseries in Westwood, which proved popular with those wishing to bring more of a flutter to their gardens.

Many visitors, we are told, discovered Iford for the first time: to them a big "hail and well met". The tearoom was very busy (mostly ice creams this weekend), and we were delighted to be able to provide a rare and relatively safe environment where children could learn through the medium of discovery and play, that not all moths need be crushed immediately under foot!

The laughter of children truly is infectious, and whilst the garden itself may not be particularly suitable for young visitors owing to its historic nature, to be able to offer a free day of natural discovery for the young is greatly rewarding. Thank you to all that made it happen.

Cinderella: Under 35s ticket offer

2010-06-01T15:39:00.003+01:00

2010 Iford Festival

Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella)

under 35s special £40 ticket offer

Iford Arts is delighted to welcome back to the 2010 Iford Festival the CHROMA ensemble and the conductor Andrew Griffiths with their production of Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella) performances of which take place on 19, 22, 24, 26, 30 June, and 02, 03 July.

This is the same team that produced the Barber of Seville in 2009, which received many great reviews, such as Metro Life who exclaimed that "Productions such as this could single-handedly reverse opera’s dwindling fortunes… Rather than any rarefied…appeal, it is the upfront, street theatre feel of this 1960’s-set production that imbues it with knee-weakening charm."

CHROMA and Andrew are joined by the renowned director Bill Bankes-Jones, and a superb cast including Alex Ashworth, John Evans, Christina Haldane, Caryl Hughes, Carlos Nogueira, Sigríður Ósk, and Richard Suart.

During the 2010 Festival, the Cinderella team are actively engaged in working with young people in the community on a project taking Cinderella back to school. To tie in with this, we are delighted to offer the few remaining tickets for La Cenerentola at a special price of £40 to those under the age of 35.

For more information visit: www.ifordarts.co.uk. To book tickets, please call the Box Office, Theatre Royal Bath: 01225 448844, quoting "Under 35s £40 ticket offer".

Location: The Cloister, The Peto Garden, Iford Manor, Bath, BA15 2BA.

Gates open for picnics at 6 pm, and opera performances start at 7.30 pm.

Terms and Conditions: The £40 under 35’s ticket offer for performances of La Cenerentola is subject to ticket availability. The whole party should be under the age of 35 and proof of age may be requested at the gate. Offer opens Wednesday 2 June 2010, and applies to telephone booking only; on-line booking is not available for this offer. All credit card bookings are subject to a transaction fee of £3.00. Tickets booked previously fall outside this offer and cannot be refunded. Iford Arts, The Gatehouse, Iford Manor, BA15 2BA.

Wisteria

2010-05-05T21:23:00.000+01:00

So... the wisteria is now nearly fully out on the front wall of the house, and the inky purple buds are just prising themselves open on the frames in front of the manor; in the garden the casita wisteria is nearly there, and the standard plants are running a little later. Tomorrow, weather permitting, I hope to post photos so that the wisteria junkies amongst our growing readership will be able to time their visit to us to coincide with a favourite plant etc.

Cutting the miscanthus

2010-04-20T00:09:00.000+01:00

On the estate farm we have been experimenting for a few years by growing an energy crop called miscanthus, more commonly known as elephant grass. It's getting late, so I'll spare you the smug "green" chat about why it is that we put the crop in, and how wonderfully energy efficient it is and all that, and instead just show you some photos of the really amazing machine that the contractor used to slice-and-dice the crop.

In a following post, one of these days when time allows, I would like to expand a little more on how Iford is doing its bit to promote renewables.

Garden Update 15 April 2010

2010-04-15T17:32:00.000+01:00

If the gardens at Iford are anything to go by, there is definitely plenty of evidence of "green shoots"... here are some of the highlights from my walk around this afternoon.

Iford is open on Sundays from 2-5pm currently, and at other times for groups by appointment. From May, full opening commences, with almost daily opening. See Iford's website for details.

Perhaps most magnificent is the magnolia by the Loggia pond, just entering its prime this coming week.

The semi-shaded white magnolia in the yard has a week or two to go as well

Little ferns in the shade outside the side door of the manor unfurl with the warmer weather

Wild flowers under the mulberry tree, happy to see their chequerboard lawns smartened up this morning

Japanese Cherry

This Vitis Cognitiae, which lives in a yew tree (and which gives us a glorious display of red leaves towards the end of the summer) is unusually flowering this year. Could this be as a result of the harsh winter, anyone?

Wisteria-watch: in front of the house, three weeks or so away

But the warmer wisteria on the front face of the house, has two fronds opening.

Cherries on the lawn are in full flow

Wild flowers on the Cloister path provide a merry scene.

And of course, although we have been enjoying them inside the house for a while, the first round of 'public' orchids have appeared in their pots. Here, pictured in the Loggia window.

Healthy lichen, healthy air.

2010-04-05T15:39:00.000+01:00

Lichen has long been understood by scientists as an indicator-species for air pollution, and it is my understanding that the more frail-looking and leafy a lichen is, the more it is susceptible to air quality.

So it brings great satisfaction (and not a little relief!) to discover that despite the flight path for Bristol airport and the A36 in relatively close proximity, our lichen are telling us they're happy with an explosion in the growth on the old cherry tree on the great terrace, amongst others.

So... if you need a gulp of fresh air, you know where to come!

p.s. Starter for 10: can anyone name the lichen pictured?

Garden report: Easter Sunday (April 4th, 2010)

2010-04-04T19:38:00.003+01:00

Thank you to all those who visited us today for our first day of opening this year. We were all rewarded with sunshine and a brisk breeze.

During the summer season, we quite often get our regular visitors ring us up and ask whether they might know if the x, y or z has come into flower yet. Usually it's the wisteria, sometimes the magnolia, on occasion the cherry blossom. Well, we're absolutely delighted that people want to know, so please, don't feel embarrassed or apologetic about asking - we'd much rather you saw what you wanted to see, than that you arrived expecting wisteria and found you'd missed it by a day or two, or whatever. Instead, be proud to be an Ifordian, part of that select club of people that are 'in the know', and keep in touch!

To make things a bit easier, and very much on the basis that a picture is worth a thousand words, as the summer season progresses we're aiming to post (at least fortnightly, if not weekly) a short pictorial report on the current plant-situation in the garden. This will act as an opportunity to see what you missed if you didn't visit last week, and also to show you what you might expect to see if you were to visit in the next couple of weeks.

And here is the garden report issued from the Iford office at 19.00 hours on Easter Sunday:

Blooming marvellously are:

Clematis armandii on the front of the house

Grape Hyacinth

Fritillary (with a pair of anemonies)

Camellia by the loggia

Iford's native buxus sempervirens (and what a crop of seeds we had!) which grows to 40 feet

And budding up nicely are:

Ornamental cherry on the top lawn

Cotton buds on the ornamental willow

Fig on the South Wall of the Cloister

Clematis montana rubens in the Cloister

Japanese White Iris kaempferi in the Oriental Garden

Magnolia soulangiana by the Loggia

Tree Peony lutaeia (probably not 'ludlowii')

Wisteria sinensis on the Casita

And not forgetting the orchard...

New Season

2010-04-04T13:37:00.000+01:00

The sun is out, the spring is here and the little narcissi are smiling.

Iford opens at 2pm for the new season. We're also open tomorrow for Easter Monday, again 2-5pm.

Why not pop over for a potter in the grounds and a cup of tea in the tearoom?

Magical Music

2010-03-31T16:41:00.003+01:00

Have a look at the Iford Arts website (www.ifordarts.co.uk) for an up-to-date view of all the great musicians in the 2010 Iford Festival. Recognise anyone? If so, tell all your friends, and come along! Tickets are moving very fast, especially for Rigoletto and Midsummer Jazz, so if you haven't already booked - now's the time...........

Jonelle

Moving the Cattle

2010-03-30T22:39:00.002+01:00

Yesterday morning it was time to move the cows from the Wiltshire side of the river to fresh pasture on the Mill bank.

Our herd of pure-bred South Devons, based at Castle Farm in Farleigh Hungerford, made a pretty picture as they trotted over the bridge, past Britannia wearing her lichen coat...

... and somewhat suspicious of the man in the tweed cap with the camera, standing behind some trees:

Toads and rooks - must be breeding time!

2010-03-22T19:41:00.001Z

The last week saw two fauna-related sights which are no doubt very common, but which are perhaps unusual to witness.

This evening we were witness to an extraordinary fly-by of an enormous group of rooks. It wasn't just our average parliament of rooks arguing away however, this was much, much larger, and appeared to be a large grounp attempting to displace our resident population from the hanging beech wood behind the manor. By the time I managed to get my camera out, the largest of the waves had settled back down behind the trees, but I did manage to catch the gist with my rather crummy autofocus - see what you think.

I would love it if any ornithologist could tell us whether or not rooks are known for displacing other colonies or whether this is my complete mis-interpretation of what was going on.

--

Just before the weekend, a cacophany was raised outside the back door. Whatever could it be?, thought those sat in the kitchen happily enjoying a cup of tea. Well, opening the door revealed the vocal identity: the merry toad. Or more accurately, many particularly hopeful toads.

It was raining hard, and the wet weather had encouraged them out from their damp mossy homes. But in their search for a pond, they had inadvertently ended up next to the bins, an insalubrious place for a romantic rendez-vous, you might think.

I have always wondered what the collective noun should be for a group of these maligned creatures. But it is now quite clear: in this case it was most definitely an "orgy" of toads.

Path reconstruction and lawn preparation

2010-03-16T15:23:00.001Z

With the main frosts gone, which lift one’s paths whether they be flagstones, gravel or tarmac, a review of paths has been necessary.

One path in particular, from Peto’s first Oriental garden to the Cloister, has got out of alignment with where it should be in terms of garden design. Since Iford is all about design, we’re re-cutting the edge with a simple half-moon tool, and re-levelling it using Cerney “as-raised” gravel. It is crucial for us to get a particular level of clay in the gravel to allow surface binding and drainage, and a Cotswoldy colour to the particles. It goes down now, because whilst rollers won’t squash it down properly, the feet of 10000-or-so visitors in a year will do so nicely and we open to the public in a fortnight.

The other challenge is grass: the lawns are not looking terribly happy after a rather wet and very cold winter. Anywhere where the drainage is poor the grass has taken on a jaundiced, chlorotic colour, with a very high moss level. The historic lawns are difficult to drain properly because of the adjacent tree and shrub roots and so we have to make do with spiking, scarifying and new grass seed. This year we’re using one of the golf green mixes which is hard wearing but which can be cut very short – not very bouncy, but good for the footfall and picnics in the summer for the Arts Events.

Planting the pear trees

2010-03-09T15:47:00.000Z

Robert, Gardener in Charge at Iford, reports that his team had a successful time planting the new pear trees in the orchard car park. These pears had been toughened up over a couple of winters, and needed lifting carefully to preserve the rootball as much as possible, before their transplanting into the holes in the orchard.

Baring the roots needed mechanical muscle as well:

Riverside planting involves potentially saturated ground: the crown of the root should be just above ground therefore:

To protect against deer (and dogs!) a mesh guard is needed as well as a high wall. Flat cap essential safety wear for spade management:

Spring flowers are Summer's optimists

2010-03-02T21:14:00.000Z

Spring arrived today, or at least it felt as though it did, so I popped out and took some photographs to record the occasion.

The Japanese Garden, serene in the evening light;

A congregation of snowdrops, each jostling unnecessarily for space under an acacia;

Fingerlike, an orange form of hemerocallis (day lily) pushes through the earth.

Amidst the bracken and ivy, clumps of crocus brighten the undergrowth.

Aconites, fresh-faced;

And here taken by Robert, gardener in charge, with a little mud on their fronts.

Post winter. How did we fare?

2010-03-01T21:10:00.005Z

A post-winter situation report:

March is with us and as the weather is still chilly we have been taking the opportunity to check the garden over to look for damage following one of the hardest winters we've known for thirty years or so. We were very fortunate not to have suffered from the harsh East winds that we had in the 1980s.

Structure

We have frost damage to many of Peto's rockery stones (pictured: japanese garden rock). The damage will very likely be hidden by dwarf juniper, periwinkle, or whatever nature provides, but sooner or later the softer Bath stones need to be replaced with something more durable from the Mendip series of rocks which are, after all, just the other side of the river Frome.

Plants

The continued cold necessitates protecting the early buds of 'two star' shrubs (that is to say surviving down to -5C), especially cistus, choisya and rosemary in our case, using fleece and, where needed, netting as well. Be very vigilant for the fleece covering pittosporums, which are particularly sensitive to sudden cold snaps. We always remove fleece if it gets saturated because the frost will damage the tender shoots, particularly of the choisya ternata.

The cold has caught the leaves of the Mahonia (pictured), which has turned its explosive lateral sprays to gloriously autumnal colours.

However, [touch wood!] we have not had substantial damage to any Italian cypresses as yet. Last year we had our second season of Seridium die-back. It will be interesting to see which, if any, of our seven forms of sempervirens stricta survives this mediterranean plague.

Our ceanothus impressus has beaten the cold winter, but sadly all of our larger leaved forms appear to be dead, some of which were around 25 years old.

For anyone who has suffered plant damage, as we have, even though spring is running late, this is probably the last safe opportunity to plant many replacement shrubs and trees - preparing the hole whilst the weather is chilly is harder work, but it allows the freezing temperatures to break down the soil. At Iford we will be replacing some of the Perry pears in the river car park with old varieties which have spent the last three years in a nursery bed, and pruning of the older trees is currently underway (pictured).

Welcome to Susan

2010-03-01T20:36:00.000Z

We're very excited to welcome Susan who has joined us as our new housekeeper. She brings an entourage of Alan and Louis[e!], a bosc monitor and a red tegu respectively (photos to follow), and partner Su.

Susan is a proud local lady, with strong Wiltshire roots, having been brought up in in Hilperton and Holt. We're particularly looking forward to the advent of local Wiltshire-style cakes - recipies passed down through the family. In preparation for the summer season, experimental biscuits have so far proved a hit with the usual suspects around the kitchen table.

Small world that it is, Susan reports that her Auntie Joan worked at Iford from 1925-1928, as part of Harold Peto's staff - it is quite extraordinary how circular life can be. However Susan joins a much changed environment from Peto's day - and we all know that 'housekeeper' is a mere title: the job is far more challenging and varied than any name could it justics (and she has to keep us under control for starters!). The manor kitchen is the societal engine-room for the team, the family and visitors alike, and Susan has already made it her own. The perfect start, I'd say.

We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship for many years to come and hope that Susan will settle into and enjoy the challenges facing not only the tearoom and the house, but also the integrated development of the estate business and everything that goes on to keep the valley in the condition we strive for.

Spring update

2010-02-25T21:51:00.000Z

Following my previous post about seasonal timing, I can confirm that Spring is definitely running significantly late this year at Iford. Although we're still living in a world of greens and browns, optimism for summer is provided by the snowdrops and the green shoots of daffodils and narcissi, which stand strong against the cold, damp February breeze.

Spring running behind schedule

2010-02-17T18:01:00.002Z

We learn, today, from the trusty statisticians at the National Trust that 1/3 as many plants are in bloom now as there were in 2008 across NT gardens in Devon and Cornwall. Quite what this tells us about Climate Change I'm yet to understand precisely, other than that the increasing uncertainty of climate continues.

So, are the gardens at Iford as late as the far South West? Initially it would seem that we're somewhat behind the usual Springtime; the snowdrops are still in full swing, with many still in bud, and the aconites are trying their best to brighten up the duller corners on the drive and above the great terrace. We'll keep you posted.

Hopefully some photographs will appear here when the sun comes out!

Click here for the article about the National Trust's gardens

Iford Arts now blogging

2010-02-16T11:38:00.003Z

Great to see that William has taken the initiative and set up the Iford blog. We'll be here shortly with all the info and gossip about the 2010 Iford Festival and some wonderful photos.

Bye for now!

Vale: Wini Brierly

2010-02-13T15:00:00.003Z

Co-incidentally to Michael's departure, we are also losing Wini and her family (see picture of Wini and Michael). The Brierlys moved away last week to live in their house in Devon now that the family are all launched and independent - a new life at the seaside.

Wini arrived with us some eight years ago as housekeeper. She rapidly became an integral part of the fabric of Iford, looking after residents, employees, friends and visitors alike - with Wini in the house, there was always a warmth (and a flapjack!) in the kitchen - and the kitchen at Iford is the heart of our little community.

As many readers of this post will know, Wini's arrival was also a treat for our tea-consuming visitors and Opera-goers in the summer. She has raised both the standard and the volume of cream teas at weekends, cakes for visiting coach groups, and has even initiated 'cake of the day' teas during the week. Thanks to her organisational skills we have a young, enthusiastic and efficient team of tea-helpers, and they in turn have Wini to thank for their universally good mental arithmetic (as she refused to let them use a calculator when working on the till!). All these things have augmented the flow of visitors and contributed to the overall good will in Iford, above all sustaining the Iford community in a profoundly human manner.

It is impossible to write all the things Winnie has done or to convey how she has looked after everyone, with so much warmth - welcoming everyone with charm and good humour and so we'd just like to say:

Dear Winnie, thank you, thank you.

Vale: Michael Clayton

2010-01-31T22:23:00.000Z

On Monday 25th last week we held a party to celebrate the contributions of two members of the Iford team who are leaving us.

Michael Clayton joined us some thirty years ago following his training at Lackham College, and quickly developed into an accomplished gardener under the tutelage of Leon Butler (RHS 40yr. Award), Iford’s head gardener until 2005.

Michael and his sister Teresa have each been Bradford-on-Avon residents their whole lives, but they have always shared a long-held passion for the seaside, and especially for Weymouth. Although we are of course sad to see Michael leave, we are delighted that he and his sister will now be able to take up a new life in Weymouth where no doubt they have already made many friends.

It is impossible fully to value the loyalty and effort that the Michael Claytons of this world bring to rural estates. Such good people are rare, and Iford has been very lucky to have enjoyed Michael’s input for so long; all is not lost with Michael’s departure though - Iford seems to attract such skilled and committed people, and continues to enjoy the high calibre contributions of other team members.

Ultimately gardens are only as good as their gardeners and whatever Michael should choose to do in Weymouth, let us hope that the quality of gardens and parks in that town will improve with his arrival!

So, thank you Michael, for being a loyal friend to Iford; there will always be a cup of tea and a sticky bun waiting for you in the kitchen.

A link to an excellent walk on EveryTrail

2010-01-31T20:19:00.000Z

I was delighted, whilst browsing Google Earth, to discover an excellent walk has been posted on EveryTrail by Mr. Peter Dixon, of Freshford. Thank you, Peter! It is indeed a lovely walk, one that I do often, and I think just the right length to justify a cream tea at the end of it when arriving back at Iford.

Now all we need is the warmth of summer and the anticipated opening of the tearoom in April.

Iford manor

Map your trip with EveryTrail

Dreams of Summer Opera

2010-01-16T12:38:00.000Z

Although it may seem a long way off, it won't be long before we notice the days growing longer and the nights recede. All too soon the summer will be upon us, with its warm evenings of gentle golden sunlight (we hope!). And so as I was redesigning the Iford website, looking at romantic images of the garden on a summer's day, my thoughts turned to our Arts festival and to the Iford Arts website. Why not pop along and have a look? Here's the brief list of what's on (below). For details of bookings, take a look at this page.

For my part I can't wait to see Rigoletto.

Opera Season (all operas sung in English)

La Cenerentola (Cinderella) by Rossini

19 June - 03 July

Serse (Xerxes) by Handel

9 - 17 July

Rigoletto by Verdi

24 July - 07 August

Promenades

First Night Jazz Friday, 11 June

Midsummer Jazz Saturday, 12 June

Another World Saturday, 14 August

Cloister Concert

CHROMA chamber ensemble Friday, 25 June

From Bath to Buenos Aires - A Tango Serenade

The more it snows, tiddly pom...

2010-01-13T10:41:00.001Z

Having dug, scraped and gritted our way out for the weekend, we are now blanketed once again with two and a half inches of fresh snow. Fortunately it seems to be a warming trend and the ground temperature has definitely risen, giving hope for a thaw in the coming week. Still, with farming activity having to continue, and the valley once again inaccessible to non-4x4s, the new snow brings the same old challenges afresh.

Fortunately bird food supplies at Iford are strong, but we were amused to note the high-brow nature of the blue tits as regards their alimentary proclivities. Failing a ready supply of breadcrumbs, we put out the last of the Christmas stuffing and some 'high risk' pâté which we weren't quite prepared to eat any more. Half an hour later I returned to the plate: the chestnut stuffing had been picked at here and there; the pâté had been completely cleaned out.

Arboreal de-decoration supervisor

2010-01-10T14:52:00.000Z

A few days ago, when removing the decorations from our Christmas tree on twelfth night, our matriarchal cat Lily (who had 'supervised' with interest the tree's decoration two weeks previously) was once again on site to make sure that we performed the task to her satisfaction. Each bauble was inspected as it came off the tree, and was placed back in its box, and on occasion she would lean through the banisters, as if trying to join in more proactively.

It was only once the tree was fully denuded and we had retired for a cup of tea (quite late by this point), that she began looking at it wistfully, walking up and down the stairs taking in its grey-green nakedness. A little calling ensued, and being a talkative sort she came to 'tell us all about it' (as cats do). She has been extremely dismissive of me since, and I get the distinct impression that she feels strongly that no sooner had she organised for her beautiful tree to be erected by us, it had been dismantled again and now look how boring the stairwell looks...

And so in honour of Lily's prima-donna attitude to life, here's a photographic example of her showing off to the camera.

Warm, at 2 degrees.

2010-01-10T14:40:00.002Z

Amazing just how warm it feels, yet it's only 2 degrees outside. Fortunately for the birds and wildlife we are currently experiencing something of a mini-thaw, and the south facing slopes are beginning to show some earth again, revealing seeds, berries and bugs.

Overnight though, it is still very cold indeed, and so yesterday we constructed a natural shelter (pictured), to give some protection to our chilly birds at night. Using half-pruners we lopped off the arms of our former Christmas tree (a fir this year, so a bit less scratchy than a spruce). Placing an underlayer of branches on the floor of a sheltered spot under a wall, we formed an evergreen cavity with the remaining branches on top.

A plate of food outside encouraged its discovery and I'm pleased to note that, judging by the footprints, someone used the new shelter last night. Hopefully we've provided a useful service; one can at least try!

A solution: Frozen Fatballs

2010-01-08T12:51:00.001Z

Our avian friends are having a really desperate time of it with the weather so cold and I'm sure that a lot of people are putting out fat balls, nuts and other high-fat foods to keep the smaller birds alive. I love the way that robins in particular will come and ask you for more when they have finished. This bold little fellow (pictured sitting on a tree peony), alerted us to a problem with "his" (they are very territorial!) fatball: it was frozen solid.

It seems that the food we put out, if at all moist, simply goes completely solid after an hour or so, fat balls in particular; the solution we have found is to pass them through a cheese grater, and put out the resulting pile of fat-soaked nuts. Taking them in once in a while allows them to thaw quickly, and the grains seem easier for the birds to eat.

I'm sure that the great- and blue-tits were grateful too, but our plucky young robin thanked us personally, sitting on his peony branch bobbing his head, and flying over to say hello when any of the family comes past the box tree in which he lives.

Thawing at -3

2010-01-08T12:37:00.000Z

I'm sure I was taught in school that pure water freezes at zero degrees and that falling snow is close to pure. This, as far as I know, is conventional wisdom. With the air temperature currently at around -3, it just shows how strong even the weak winter sun must be that our formerly encrusted statues are shedding their ermine-white shawls.

Follow us on twitter

2010-01-07T21:11:00.000Z

Iford Manor now has a twitter account... whatever next?!

Follow us here.