Garden enthusiasts, here's a call for your help that you just can't refuse!

From Harry Brickwood, of Orchard Cottage, 219 Hockley Road, Rayleigh, SS6 8BH

Telephone 01268 743838,email henry.brickwood@homecall.co.uk

Garden Visits & Talks

          I thought that a list of gardens and speakers would be welcome to U3A garden organisers. The task of finding interesting and good gardens local to your group is not too difficult in the first or second year but you very quickly exhaust the supply of gardens and then have to either revisit gardens or go farther afield or visit the not-so-good gardens.  Finding a suitable speaker has similar problems plus the added problem of cost.

          I visit a number of gardens in Essex each year, not only for personal pleasure but also for The Good Garden Guide, which is a guide book that comes out annually, sponsored by Saga. It covers the whole of the UK and France so I am aware of some excellent gardens in Essex.  However there is no doubt that there are a number of gardens that open to groups that I am unaware of and it may be that you have visited some these and would like to share your knowledge with other U3A garden organisers.

          My idea is to make a list of Essex gardens and speakers from your recommendations. Just how well this would work will depend on how many people are interested in the project.  My idea would be to issue a list of recommended gardens/speakers on an annual basis and people could also contact me and ask for advice.

          Here's a form you can print off, complete and send to me. Please put down all the gardens that you have visited recently and please do not hesitate to say that you thought the garden was poor. I will only include in the list those gardens which are recommended. Please do not include Hyde Hall, Beth Chatto, Glen Chantry, Docklands, Ingatestone or Orchard Cottage, Rayleigh.