With the Northumberland holidaying members returning, there was a large turnout at Shugborough to tackle the gardening tasks Caroline had in mind for us. Perhaps they were drawn by the initial offer of paddling in the river Sow, but in the end it was garden weeds!
Nevertheless as temperatures started to climb the group set to work in beds near the Essex Bridge gate. At the same time another group made short work of pulling ragwort from the field adjoining the Mansion car park and soon had to make the long walk to the weed beds – sorry flower beds!
If you look back to January you’ll see the Group making a start on these borders and huge rhododendron, mulching and putting down weed retardant matting. Today’s task turned out to be to tackle the weeds which had made their way between the gaps in the matting and through the protective guards placed around the shrubs which had been planted by the gardens team, since our last visit.
There was plenty to remove as the visiting public eyed the group close up beside the path, sitting, kneeling or crouching over and around the plants which are starting to get established. New volunteer Charlotte’s bare knees hopefully surviving their first outing!
It’s always rewarding to be involved in longer term projects, so it was great to see how we have helped to transform this bed over the last year. The Essex entrance to the estate is a key one for pedestrian visitors from Great Haywood, so catching the eye here makes an especially good impression. Rewarding too for the workers, was the tasty cake, from ever reliable Maggie, with workday leader David’s lemon drizzle coming a close second! Thanks to both.
End of the day meant special efforts to disinfect all of the tools used as well as our boots. Unfortunately phytophthora has re-emerged in some of the rhodi’s in the ornamental garden, so armed with his rubber gloves, Jimmy took on the mantle of disinfecter-in-chief.
Head Gardener Caroline expressed herself pleased with what we’d done. So doubtless there’ll be plenty more for next time (with the added attraction of a potential social visit for Derek’s special August fuddle – oooooh can’t wait!)
Shropshire and Staffordshire National Trust Volunteers 