After an extremely challenging year in the garden due to weather conditions, we are now preparing for next year. We have had so much support this year from our regular visitors to the garden and they continue to buy our plants and vegetables when available.

Much to everyone’s delight the Orchard House now has its first section completed and we’ve had our first study day inside. Our next challenge is to get the second section done, and following the promise of a generous legacy, we have obtained an estimate for the construction. We still have to raise around £6,000 to give us sufficient funds but this is not insurmountable. I would like to appeal to our Friends and visitors to the garden to consider giving a donation - however small. Every donation adds up and makes it possible to proceed with this new project.

We are continuing to extend our fruit crops and next year hope to have sufficient rain to produce our usual standard of fruit. I hope to have a good range of unusual tomato plants at the May open day. I know many visitors come to buy these. We will also have our usual extensive variety of potatoes, There were 15 different types this year and next year we will try to have more.

The plant team are now busy increasing their stock and dividing and potting our border plants. It is also hoped that they will be able to offer a few of the more unusual varieties that are hard to find.

One of the projects which we are going ahead with is putting a cover over part of our plant sales greenhouse so that next year you will be able to buy your plants in the dry - even if it is pouring with rain.

Pat Styles - 01992 713 612