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.