Spring update

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

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

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

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

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

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

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