Friday 6 May 2011

British Red Cross Great Spring Gardening Event, 2011.


Yesterday the Senior Partner and I joined many other keen gardeners at the British Red Cross Great Spring Gardening Event which this year was held in the grounds of Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire.



To reach the showgrounds the pathway led us past the newly restored Victorian walled kitchen garden and through a tunnel of overhanging wisteria reputed to be over one hundred and fifty years old.



Mr B couldn't resist buying fresh green asparagus and strawberries, both locally grown, we passed on the fruit juices though.
There were many specialist plant nurseries represented, about eighty craft and gift stalls in the grounds and tents.


We enjoyed looking at the varied displays created by several garden designers, "posh shed" builders, potters and wood workers to name just a few.



Several times we were gently accosted by small children from Burghill Primary School, all eager to tell us how they have been working with the British Red Cross and learning lots of different skills. Other activities they had taken part in were Bag Packing at a local supermarket; a sponsored walk; resilience training and creating a refugee camp.


They told us that they "had a fantastic time talking to some people in Ohio (in America!), where we taught some children facts about the British Red Cross".




The Orangery cafe looked beautiful but the lunch menu was a little too much and a little too late for us so we opted for a sandwich and a cuppa in one of the refreshment tents.


We also took the opportunity to tour the Castle but that's another story..........................

I hope that you have enjoyed your virtual visit to Hampton Court Castle Gardens and will come back again for a fascinating look inside.
Walking back to the car we couldn't resist taking more shots of the kitchen garden and it's glasshouses.


Linking this post to The Tablescapers Seasonal Sunday where bloggers gather each week to share seasonal activities happening in their corner of the globe.
Click here or on the sidebar button to join in. 

17 comments:

  1. DH and I loved to go to this garden,I love the gates with the bible verses on them. Looks like a lovely event - one that I need to put in my diary for another year.

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  2. Looks like you two are having a great time. Thanks for taking us along! ~ sarah

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  3. Goodness, you're having a splendid time! I loved the 'Bad Day' sign :o) I may have a go at making one. Glad the weather is holding up for you.
    Best wishes
    Rose H

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  4. Hello Maggie,
    thank you for taking us with you on this lovely tour. Wish you a wonderful Mother's Day, too.
    Warmest regards, Johanna

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  5. Looks like a beautiful day Maggie! The grounds are amazing:@)

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  6. Thank you for the delightful tour. The grounds looked fabulous. Happy mother's day to you too.

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  7. Thank you for the virtual fieldtrip. The gardens (and everyting else) is spectacular. I could not resis the kitchen garden. How delightful!

    Yvonne

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  8. Hi, I'm visiting over from SS. What a wonderful place to spend a day. I also love the gates......Thanks for the tour.......Hope your day is lovely.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  9. Oooooh.....everything was just splendid! I couldn't have passed up the strawberries, either!!!!
    Such spring splendor!!!

    Hugs,
    Lana In Italy

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  10. This was wonderful! I enjoyed by visit (through you as tour guide) to Hampton Court Castle Gardens. I don't think there is a garden I wouldn't like to visit! The kitchen garden makes my heart beat a little faster and fresh asparagus! YUM! Crafts, too. Sounds perfect!

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  11. Oh how beautful! What a fun way to spend a day!

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  12. Thanks for sharing the tour! It looks like a wonderful place.

    Donna

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  13. Looks like wonderful day. Hope that you had a wonderful Mother's Day. Thank you for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  14. Hi Maggie, thanks for sharing these wonderful pics of Herefordshire with us... loved the Castle garden and would love to see inside of the Castle. Will be back later for that. Thanks for sharing and for your sweet comment earlier. I always wanted to visit England and now I can catch glimpses of it through your lenses! Have a great week!~Poppy

    http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

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  15. What a treat it is to share a bit of your lovely time in England - have a great meet-up with Martha!

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  16. What a fabulous day out - you could have been there all day taking photos :) so much to see, so much colour and delightful quaint objects and such a beautiful day too. wonderful, Judyx

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  17. Oh Maggie, what a wonderful event. And your photos are terrific. Wish I could have been there! Wisteria is one of my favorites. And the pottery looks so interesting.
    You must have had such fun!

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Thanks for stopping by, your visit just made my day!