September News Letter!

In spite of my typo in the programme 15 or so of us assembled to welcome Nathalie Mignotte who was returning to share with us her knowledge and images of mediaeval gardens. Obviously the images were taken from paintings and tapestries of the day as none of the gardens have survived. Nathalie told us of the three main types of garden, the Hortus Conclusus, the enclosed garden; the Hortus Delicarum, the garden of pleasure and the Hortus Monastic, where the culinary and medicinal plants and cloisters were to be found in and around the monasteries of the period. Any of the gardens must have been a welcome retreat from the strife and upheaval of the time, carefully hedged around with the plentiful hazel used for hedging. We were all intrigued by the horticultural evidence from the art of the day, and definitely felt the connection with our own gardening efforts when we recognised current varieties. I just wish my school history had been as engaging as Nathalie’s presentations.

Margaret had kindly set up the room for us and Elizabeth and Elaine helped with teas and the door, so thank you to all of them. Colin was pleased to have some spring bulbs to plant after winning the raffle.

Wendy also reminded us that at this time of year we are looking to next year’s programme so if there are any special topics you’d like covered please let one of the team know so we can do our best to accommodate it. The programme is well under way, so there should be lots of fresh interest. She also mentioned the Bee and Pollination Festival at the Botanic Gardens, so hopefully some of you made it there. I went on Sunday and it was a great event on a lovely sunny day, which made a very pleasant change, given the recent temperatures.

Next month we meet Jane Moore who is head gardener at Bath Priory Hotel and will be giving us the benefit of her years of experience in keeping an all-round garden in good shape. We have to thank Matthew for this introduction, so we shall be especially pleased to welcome her. I shan’t be able to join you in October but look forward to seeing you all again before too long.

I met Ann at the Long Ashton Flower Show (wonderfully eccentric, local flower shows) and was pleased to find her looking well after her absence from club.

Enjoy your autumn efforts in the garden, I shall be wrapping up well I think and soon doing battle with leaves.

Jenny, Wendy and Celia.