OPEN GARDENS DAY Sunday
July 8th
2007
Beginning at Kath & Malcolm’s No 6 Ladygrove, the suggested route was clearly mapped, however you could choose to disregard this and pick out your own specific gardens to visit.
It really doesn’t matter, here at DBHS we care only that you thoroughly enjoy sharing this high summer Sunday afternoon experience with other like-minded folk.
As you zigzag through the historic settlements of Lawley Bank and Malinslee spare a moment to admire an age old unchanged landscape looking west towards that legendary 1,300 ft hill, ‘The Wrekin’.
CLICK ON GARDEN No. TO SEE PICTURES.
Garden No
1. THE START 6 Ladygrove,
Kath is a valued founder member of DBHS
and has kindly agreed to Co- ordinate our Open Gardens Day this year.
Warm greetings await you at this captivating garden tended by avid
enthusiasts Kath and Malcolm.
Route maps, helpful advice and genial hospitality are also available to
help spur you on your way.
Garden No
2. 16 Willetts Way, Gene & Helen.
Helen has had an extremely hectic few months
after being elected Borough and Parish Councillor but their garden has
not been neglected.
Note the newly installed unitive garden lighting an alert observer may
spot an orange bellied common newt (‘triturus vulgaris vulgaris’ Latin
name says Helen means demi god of the sea) Mr Newt and his dear friend
Frog while away the summertime basking in an enchanting garden pool.
Garden No
3. 21 Willetts Way, Pam & Pete.
Unable to take part last year Pam &
Pete are pleased to be involved again this time round. In Pam’s own
words, “We feel honoured to be included”.
Pete has been busy building wooden arches creating structural intrigue
amidst waves of summer planting.
Garden No
4. ‘Rutlands’ Terry & Joyce
Looking across the meadow as we walk our
dog along Ladygrove, over recent months we have noticed an increase in
gardening activity happening at this abode.
A jolly chap could be heard singing as he skilfully manoeuvres his sit
on lawn mower respectfully around expertly tended flower beds whilst confidently
negotiating the sloping aspect. Is difficult to imagine a more pleasant
way to spend time.
Garden No
5. ‘The Bungalow’ John & Lorraine & their adorable Bichon
Frise pet pooches.
There is an impressive and efficient hanging basket irrigation system in action here, invented by John.
Again we draw your attention to a now familiar breathtaking view towards The Wrekin from their back garden.
Now you may (if you would like to follow the map) detour off to St Leonard’s Rd Malinslee and:
Garden No 6. ‘Belvedere’ 8 St
Leonard’s Rd Malinslee. Heather Harris
In this garden ‘there are many rooms’
resting atop a wooden platform keeping vigil over it all you will see
‘Zeus’ taking time off from his role in Harry Potter.
Heather explained how the garden looked when they first moved here 11
yrs ago and about their journey of change.
Garden No
7. Mike King 5 Field Close Malinslee
Experience the weird and wonderful world
of Sarracenias ‘Carnivorous Plants’
Mike has devised an incredible irrigation system including an innovative
vital water filter method, which stores and purifies every raindrop that
falls onto his house roof.
See attached
Back now to Lawley Bank:
If you see ‘The Bulls Head’ you are on Milners Lane heading towards
Shepherds Fold. ‘Pronounced in local dialect as ‘fowd’
Garden No
8. ‘Albess Cottage’
On The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine, Shining Stars of the silent film comedy era
Laurel & Hardy are waiting to welcome visitors to their endearing abode.
The King of Beasts a Lion with resolute sapphire blue eyes quietly sits nearby.
A short journey past The Wrekin View and left into Princes End
Garden No 9. ‘Rose Cottage’ 14
Princes End
The heady scent of every gardeners choice
and peculiar to Britain are Roses, they grow in abundance here.
Garden No
10. ‘Beechwood’ Graham & Judy
Ask them how tons of soil were carried
‘round the back’ to create this spectacular
Vision.
Garden no
11. ‘Louvane’ Ivan & Freda
Ivan has now finished designing, landscaping
and constructing a precipitous rear garden. The result is a phenomenal
water cascade the beauty of which is heightened by a striking display
of indigenous plants.
Garden No
12. 20 Avondale Keith & Jenny
A new addition to DBHS Open Gardens, Keith
& Jenny have kindly joined
Our event this year and warmly welcome you to their entrancing, acquiescent
Garden with a Summer House in which the most ardent cannot resist taking
‘the weight off your feet for a minute or two’.
Exiting Avondale walk down the ‘black patch’ cross over Station Rd
to,
Garden No
13. 1 High View Rob & Gloria
Observe an interesting construction at the bottom of their garden stop a while & reminisce whilst admiring the lush green vegetables, scented shrubs & open views across Lawley Common.
Walk (or drive) up Station Rd just passed ‘Ladygrove’ to
Garden
No 14. 68 Station Rd
we have been requested to ask you to be careful not to let the dog out, he is very friendly please say hello.
Enormous fir trees have recently been coppiced here allowing bright sunlight to bathe hidden corners awakening the earth.
DBHS Open Gardens Day 2007 is almost complete the map will now direct you through ‘Ladygrove’ a dirt rd having historical links to The Industrial Revolution.
Once gated & privately owned, people paid one penny to take their horse & cart along Ladygrove, of significant interest is the fifty yrd length of stone wall on your left, built of the same slag & waste found in the lane surface which originates from Coalbrookdale. Near the base of the stones by the Ladygrove sign is an Ordinance Survey Benchmark denoting how many ft above sea level.
Ladygrove is a trifle precarious underfoot particularly after heavy rains!!!
The hedgerows and grass edges lining Ladygrove are home to a diverse collection of wild life & insects, harken to the rustle of grasses as a summer breeze beckons, sharp eyes may witness a dragonfly, grasshopper and butterfly. Birds sing & rabbits play amongst an abundance of flourishing wild flowers. As dusk falls Mr Fox rises from his lair & bats circle the air.
As you travel through Ladygrove on route to:
Garden No 15. 2 Ladygrove Pete & Carol
Allow your eyes to embrace the landscape of mature woodland & shrubs pause to
Delight in images reflected within the depths of a tranquil pool.
Then back up to No 6 where we started and a cheery farewell from DBHS.
DBHS sincerely thanks everyone who generously opened their gardens and those who visited.
DBHS is raising funds & supporting RNLI this year. In anticipation of DBHS Open Garden Day
