Many of you will remember that in September last year Victoria Diggle, Assistant County Organiser for the National Gardens Scheme, gave us a fascinating insight into how the scheme started. Victoria went on to talk about her own garden, Orchard Grange, in Old Warden and members expressed an interest in visiting.
So, on Wednesday 2nd July, a number of us set off in our own cars for a guided tour of Victoria’s lovely garden.
Following a brief history of the house, which was a former rectory, we were able to enjoy the parterre garden, the walled vegetable garden and the woodland and meadows which comprise the many acres for which Victoria and her husband are responsible. We were particularly taken by the wildflower border alongside the vegetables where Victoria has used a different mix from our Biddenham wildflower patch. The colours are predominantly yellow and blue at this time and were a splendid sight – humming with bees, butterflies and a variety of other pollinating insects.
To end our visit we enjoyed splendid home made cakes and tea – a perfect end to a delightful afternoon. Many thanks to Peter for arranging the visit and to Ron who was our “official photographer”.
Linda Truscott
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