Adam Hodge: Gardens & Plants

A pleasant piece of Tudor England at Parham House

2011-08-30T15:15:00.000+01:00

The gently rolling hills that precede one's arrival at Parham House almost invite the idea that King Henry VIII might have galloped across this land chasing after deer.Interetingly enough it does have a deer park. Furthermore King Heny VIII removed it from the possession of the Monastery of Westminster and gave it to Robert Palmer in 1540. The House seems to stand in glorious isolation in the landscape,

A walk up the western path leads to the significantly sized walled garden. The plethora of lavishly planted perennial borders , not to mention the Lavender cross, Wendy house, and ornately designed vegetable beds are delightful..there's almost an air of the Edwardian era.

West of the walled garden is a maze ,apparently based ''on the beautiful 16th century embroidery on the Great Bed in the house.'' Built in 1991 it was part of the celebrations for the year of the maze. Beyond the maze one just catches a glimpse of a water lily rich lake,although sadly it seems slightly dislocated from the body of the house and gardens.

There is a fantastic collection of charming gardens in both Sussex and its eastern neighbour Kent. If a privately guided tour around these garden gems might appeal please drop me a line adam.hodge@oxfordbotanica.com

The Prairie packs a punch !

2011-08-25T16:51:00.002+01:00

The recent trend of Prairie gardens is all a bit too strongly tied in to the heavy duty use of grasses, a planting style that passes me by. Nevertheless I was curious to see what a Prairie garden in Sussex was all about as the owners Pauline & Paul McBride had twice taken the trouble to invite me to visit it. Furthermore it had been gathering rave reviews. I was curious !

On first impressions it looks like a field on a flat land surrounded by Oaks of good age, the body of which is a great swirl of blocks of perennials..no mature trees to speak of, no shrubs, conifers, bulbs...just perennials and grasses. Oh my gosh, was this my cup of tea ? Dominating the taller plantings was the ubiquitous Eupatorium, a plant that sports about the dreariest tone of purple you could wish to encounter, along with silvery purple plumes of Miscanthus in thick blocks.

Contrary to my foreboding what became a very satisfying first observation were the generous dimensions of the main drives, no chlostrauphobicly narrrow paths here, instead rather wide and expansive walks. Lovely..Space! Carving a sharp line through the whole garden is a broad avenue, longitudinally split with a narrow bed of an ornamental waist-high Grass edged in what looked like Alliums. The only sadness here was that neither end had an interesting point of focus, agricultural buildings one end and an inconsequential pile of old compost the other. No doubt this might get addressed in due course. [see 2nd comment] Perhaps a high cone of ground surrounded by a moat for viewing the swirling design might be considered.

The most delightful, in fact thoroughly exciting aspects of the garden are the huge swathes of brightly coloured perennials. A huge block of Orange Coneflower [Rudbeckia fulgida Goldstrum] was blasting a sunny floodlight of gold in one's face, quite irresistible to stand and admire, both from afar and at close quarters. Lavender purple Perovskias with fulsome skirts of pink Saponaria also charmed the eye not to mention the exotic drifts of Echinacea twinned with pink Astilbes or Phlox, and hot coppercoloured Heleniums as neighbours to red Persicaria. One could go on ...and on !

Enjoy the pictures, enjoy the lavishness of flowers, enjoy the riot of colour ! This place is a flower fest !

There is a feast of lovely gardens in Sussex and Kent that would make an exciting tour for anyone wanting a privately guided trip around this part of the UK. Please contact me if it sounds tantalizing..a stunning journey awaits you .

adam.hodge@oxfordbotanica.com

My puzzle about a popular 'Plume'

2011-08-23T17:27:00.001+01:00

One of the raves these days in the context of must see gardens is a place called Le Jardin Plume ,a garden in Normandy and winner of 'The Garden of the Year 2008' awarded by the Garden Museum and Gardens Illustrated. It has a plethora of distinguished revues so was a destination I had to visit.

Through a small gate in a country hedge in the middle of a vast flat plain you make your way to some lovely barns beside a small 'pepiniere' full of perennials grown by the owners. Beyond that unfolds the garden ,the preface a strikingly profiled hedge . It almost acts as a precursor to a study in different forms of low hedging with a nod of styling to Sissinghurst. Moving to the front of the 'maison' a lovely tranquil view of the flat fields of Normandy is the focus of where to walk next. But not so hastily..the fiery coloured beds awash with yellows reds and oranges compels one to linger. Here are hedges that remind me of the white garden at Sissinghurst.

Moving from the hot coloured beds to a field of square ..spaces, a grid of squares with wide mown paths leading to the far end of the garden is quite a change of styles. From now the planting is more a study in the use of blocks of grasses decorated with the mute toned perennials so popular in these oh so trendy 'Prairie' gardens.

Prior to searching out the depths of this grided layout and the distant landscape the frontispiece is a square pond, flush with the ground level and grass to the water's edge. Two easy chairs are placed nearby, an integral part of the peace the water reflects.

As the title to this blog now refers, why the Puzzle ? My problem is that I dont 'get' the big deal of huge splodges of grass. Blocks of grass akin to a designer wheat field has as much appeal as magnolia paint. It is, for my money, uncommmonly dull and only has an appeal if one is utterly sick and tired of clipped evergreen hedges or shrubs. The Praire look is...not for me.

As I and my tour guest departed we asked each other what were the best bits..for me it was the tranquility of the piece of water, which could almost have been longer and more dominant in the overall space, running the whole length of the garden. For her I think it was the mixed flowers, impressionistic like in one of the side gardens,and yes, in its own quite ramshackle styling it was charming. The last pic gives an indication.

It is definitely worth visiting ,the owners are very friendly, many people really respond to the style and it has some intriuging plant combinations. I am more than happy to take you there and other lovely gardens nearby as part of a private garden tour.

Ancient & Modern [part 2]

2011-08-23T15:56:00.001+01:00

The garden at Chateau du Champ de Bataille has a strong central axis, restored since the purchase of the property in 1993. As discussed in Part 1, it is an awesome sight , principally because of the sense of space and a very long sightline, all framed by varying heights of hornbeam hedging and avenues of Lime trees, as well as the fact it is all impeccably maintained.

The designer and Head Gardener Patrick Pottier exercised much more creative license in the surrounding spaces, giving them such titles as Squares of Diane & Apollo, The Temple of Leda's Treasure,an Italian Garden and The Theatre of Verdure.

Quite frankly, as I walked around, without the wisdom of these titles or awareness of the designer's intentions I was getting tired by the visual intensity and sometime business of the designs. It was all a strident contrast to the more spacious and calm spirit exuding from the central axis. One cannot dispute the skill and cleverness of the place and some lovely, in fact stunning plantings, but was happy to walk through to the final garden, the Alley of the Sphinx's and escape from all the design and decorative element.

These pictures have hopefully given you an idea how the spaces look. Don't let me put you off .visiting the place ..it is a must. If you'd like I'll show you the place and a few other amazing gems in the area as part of a private garden tour !

Ancient and modern...on a grand scale [Part 1]

2011-07-27T16:55:00.002+01:00

Venturing through the gates into the first courtyard one had an 'Oh Wow' moment. This place had presence..serious presence. Going through to the Reception area .the tea room as my tour guest and I were advised, the sense of arriving in a most exquisitely styled interior distracted us from the process of paying the entrance charge. Out into the second courtyard and one was definitely entering a grand and stunning garden.

The first impression we rounded a wing of the Chateau to see the full vista was one of awe. Another dose of Oh Wow ! This was another Vaux le Vicomte not yet on the radar of the gardenvisting tourist world. No one else was there except a handful of gardening staff. We had it all to ourselves !

The garden is basically an intriguing juxtapostion between a traditional grand French formal garden attributed to Andre Le Notre [of Versailles and Vaux le Vicomte fame] and some very up-to-date gardens around the central axis, designed by Head Gardener Patrick Pottier. This blog, through pictures, will touch on the central formal axis. Words don't really do it justice ..jsut enjoy the views ! [ Apologies for the slightly dull lighting ..the rains fell intermittantly as we walked the gardens. ]

The second part to this blog is published in August.

If a trip to visit this and other stunning gardens in Normandy is of interest, get on your email and let me know adam.hodge@oxfordbotanica.com. I can take you on an unforgetable tour ... Great gardens, food, wine the works !

For the love of a daughter.Part 1

2011-07-26T18:39:00.001+01:00

We screeched to a halt ..reversed back a few metres and there on the right a small sign indicating the entrance to jardin d'Angelique. Collecting ones things together in the little car park the impression of the garden as seen over the low fence was a bit worrying..it all looked a bit ..bitsy ! Oh my gosh..a naffly planted garden. At the end of the drive a large open area of lawn to your left fronts the lovely country petit chateau and Madam emerges to welcome us and collect our dues.

The garden is in two parts; a formal classic French styled garden ..edged in box with punctuations of clipped conical Yews. behind the maison. In front a large informally organised garden at the end of the aforementioned lawn behind a hedge.[Part 2] The formal area is a delighful study in the serene use of pale pinks and white. The garden was planted in memory of their daughter Angelique.who had passed away some years ago, but the garden had evolved into a sublimely peaceful charming space with a restful atmosphere.......to be continued

Hydrangea heaven

2011-07-26T17:24:00.003+01:00

Sometimes one is a tad hesitant visitng a garden focusing on one plant variety..in this case a garden of Hydrangea's near Dieppe . The weather was good for the plants but less conducive for wandering around a wet woodland, Nevertheless Hydrangeas are quite an exciting variety.

Being one who loves a good hit of clear fresh colour in a garden, there was plenty to enjoy. One particular group [ H paniculata ] sport big lozenge shaped flower heads, principally white but sometimes with some pink and often maturing to a dull crimson. A slighty shorter variety [H arborescens] has big pom pom shaped white flowers which when planted together gives a stunning white splash from floor to about 2-3m height.

From the bottom end of the property where these white hydrangeas were grouped one moved through to a woodland area, the canopy overhead lending an agreeable light sunlight filter , afforded by the leaves of Paulownia trees. Throughout this zone are wandering pathways flanked with huge groups of the more classic Hydrangeas, the tones of blues, purples, whites and reds merging together in a restful colour pallet. The light shading apparently means thast the flowers last almost three months, a site better than three weeks under full sun.

The garden is the outcome of Corinne Mallet's fascination for Hydrangeas accompanied by her husband Robert Mallet . One can safely say she is probably one of the world experts on Hydrangeas with a couple of well illustrated books published by Ulmer.

If you would like a tour of this and some other stunning Normandy gardens contact me at adam.hodge@oxfordbotanica.com A three to four day trip will be an experience to relish !

Leopold lavishes loads of Gold

2011-06-13T12:58:00.002+01:00

As with all de Rothschild properties they are big and generously appointed both in house and garden. So it is with a garden recently visited near Leighton Buzzard-Ascott house, the previous residence of Leopold de Rothschild ,given to him by his Uncle Mayer de Rothschild , Good Leopold obviously adored his wife and had some fabulous gardens planted as a gift to her. It is a fantastic example, for my money, of really excellent landscaping. There's a good balance of formal and naturalistic, albeit beautifully maintained with a great propensity for gold toned hedges.both holly and Yew. In the sun the richness of colour of the gold foliage is rich and a gorgeous contrast to green

.

The property is now owned by the NT. For readers who would like more info. please fill in the commnents slot or if you would like a personally accompanied trip to this gardens and maybe others in the area do email . details to the side of this blog

Roses and roses

2011-06-13T10:47:00.001+01:00

Two new rose gardens have recently been designed and planted by eminent designers in eminent locations: Savill Gardens near Windsor and Wisley ,the principal garden of the RHS.
Wisley nearly did it for me, but sadly Savill didnt . Wisley will look good in about 3 years once the plants are more mature and some of the taller growing plants are giving some height to the scheme. Roses had been accompanied with perennials nad a good range of rose varieties chosen in groups. The paths encouraged one to meander through the site as well as directly from one end to the other..an effective amalgam of options.

Savill had an interesting layout for not a very big space, but its intricacy couldnt really be appreciated from the ground level or points of entry and the elevated structure, adding drama visually, wasnt adequately high to best see what is an intriguing design. Furthermore whilst one relished the great swathes of closely planted rsoes with lovely tonal blends the groups were possibly too large to offer enough variety to give continuous interest.

Whatever my opinions it is worth you going and having a look yourself ..let me know what you think !

Wide-eyed wonder at Woolbeding

2011-05-16T18:43:00.000+01:00

Arriving at Woolbeding,one of the National Trust's recent new openings to joe public is a bit if a performance ..there isnt anywhere much to park,as yet.
Once into the premises where you come across a very new piece of landscaping, still raw with young planting one is a smidge apprehensive as to what is beyond. Make your way through to the area enclosed with mature yew hedges and revel in a wonderful collection of formal rooms.
Swimming pools, veg gardens, ornamental shapes and more and eventually emerge out of the hedged confines to a thundering great chrome bowl , likened to a traditional champagne glass. I wonder if David Harber has anything to do with this wonder.

Wonder around to the house and take in the sumptuous landscape views across wide lawns. Saunter past the church and continue past the grand Cedars to what looks like a small copse of trees. And lo ..behold a ruined church. Peer through the window and enter a new garden fantasy ! From here on you must come and complete the journey around this ....this romantic fantasy for yourself. The creation underwritten with a deep pocket. As entertainment, rather like an opera, its a delight !

Having wandered back to the house take your time to visit the other little areas beyond the house down the bank, passing by these stairs to walk above the river for a while.

For anyone who would like to be escorted around this extraordinary place do get in touch for a personally accompanied trip. adam.hodge@oxfordbotanica.com

The tranquility of Evenley Woods

2011-05-16T16:37:00.003+01:00

If you have ever just wanted to get a bit lost in a wood ,a wood that was so quiet you could hear the birds sing loudly, a wood where trees and bushes were resplendant in flowers,where the sweet fragrance of blossom wasnt too far to sniff, then find your way on a weekend to Evenley Woods, just near Brackley in Northants.

On a recent tour around this lovely place with a Garden client there were still quite a few Magnolia trees with early summer flowering blooms, not to mention exotically scented decidous Azaleas and Rhododendrons

. There is a drive edged in Crab apples and trees with Clematis scrambling through the branches, not to mention a huge selection of rare trees more of interest to the tree nurd [count me in !] Being a huge fan of all things richly yellow I was particulalrly delighted to be shown a gold leafed oak ..utterly gorgeous !

In late June and July a veritable festival of Lilies, heady with exquisite fragrance are found all ovr the woods..one such grouping always takes my breath away..a big clump of orange flowers towering on 7' stems !

Check out the website http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/evenley_wood_garden for more information . or give me a comment. It is well worth a visit.

Magnificent Magnolias !

2011-04-13T17:19:00.005+01:00

One cannot fail to be excited at the site of a Magnolia tree in full bloom,,awesome comes to mind, especially when the tree is huge, the flowers are bright and the impact or punch of colour dominates its space. I have a lot of favourites but have selected four that did it for me recently at a visit to an Arboretum noted for its collection of Magnolias. The last/fifth picture is a test ..can you identify its name and /or parents..answers in 'Comments' please.

The first two are hybrids bred by a Todd Gresham in Caliifornia ,so entitled Gresham hybrids. M Darrell Dean and Heaven Scent. They grow well in the UK although are happiest in a moderately sheltered spot i.e. not wind blasted ! Eventually they become medium sized trees. As the name Heaven Scent suggests it has fragrant flowers..yum !

This Magnolia is one of a group of hybrids called 'The Eight Little Girls'. This girl is Jane and is one of the latest to flower . They were bred at the US National Arboretum by William Kosar and are all quite well suited to small gardens. I have always been struck how freely they flower and what an intense tone of colour they sport. Another strong coloured 'girl' is Susan.

This last -Magnolia x soulangiana 'Alexandrina' is a cultivar of a hybrid developed by a Frenchman ..Etienne Soulange-Bodin in the mid nineteeenth century, based on some Magnolia trees brought over from China. I love the purity of colour with just a hint of a purple streak.

The last photograph is of one of my favourite Magnolias..very free flowering thus creating an outstanding shout . Let me know what you think it's name is ! The comments section is a good place to make your suggestion and I'll applaud you by reply if its correct !

If any one wants help or advice on Garden design or planting these gorgeous trees , please do get in touch..

adam.hodge@oxfordbotanica.com

Batsford Arboretum

2011-04-11T20:05:00.002+01:00

Magnolia's galore and Japanese Cherries were on top form., the hits of pink and white amongst the green arena were stunning. Lovely groupings of both set amongst grand coniferous trees aside amply spacious.drives.

Japanese Maples and a host of other unusual and rare trees were gradually unfurling their spring wardrobe, many to be giving their parade of honour in later months.

I liked this place, as the broad walks / drives lessened the sense of plant intensity..one could have views , both in the Arboretum as well as out to the landscape beyond. Many of the trees are quite unusual so give interest to the plantsman,and thankfully most of them are well labelled albeit discreetly.

Other gardens in this Cotswold neighbourhood include Sezincote and Bourton House,as well as Snowshill Lavender Farm for a sharp intake of fragrant breath as one admires the rows of blossom raked over the landscape..awesome !

Anyone wanting a bespoke tour of these lovely places please email me !

Spinners..a special little gem !

2011-04-11T19:29:00.000+01:00

My recent visit to Spinners was at a time when the ground was awash with carpets of Erythronium. The garden, for those readers not in the know, is the creation of a fascinating plantsman and previously teacher in a wooded area just north of Lymington...it is a plantmans delight ! For designers an opportunity to learn about woodland acidic plants.

The other bonus of Spinners is its proxmity to other worthwhile gardens nearby..Exbury, Furzey, Knoll and Stapehill..maybe not Stapehill at the moment; it looks closed for the time being. Spinners also sells some interesting plants, although from my recent visit I wondered if the range is a bit slimmer than previously. No doubt the folk in charge can advise on this.

If a bespoke tour arond this and the other gardens is of interest, please let me know .

Billowing blooms at Bodnant

2011-04-04T12:25:00.002+01:00

Arriving at this garden one is forewarned of the delights to behold ..many Magnolia trees are in full bloom ,the clouds of white, pink and purple punch though the haze of deciduous trees.

It seems as though the NT is agressively revitalizing this garden..the acres of choice Rhodo's and Azaleas especially seem to be under the discipline of heavy pruners. It is also exciting to watch the upgrading of areas previously warn out from heavy footfall and the management of tired or elderly plants. The changes sometimes begs the question : why not let a mature garden remain mature ? Readers can add their thoughts in the comments bit.

I was delighted to discover a few groups of Erythronium revolutum,a lovely little flower used as ground cover around young trees in acid soil. If you are equally delighted with these flowers they are available for purchase..let me know if you're interested.
There will be a blog to follow on how effective Erythroniums look in a garden..!

Go visit Bodnant if you can ..it is in North Wales near Conway..if you'd .like someone to accompany you and see a few other gardens in the area let me know ! It looks especially gorgeous from now through to June, athough there is still lots to enjoy through to October.

Swathes of Daffs at Shotover

2011-03-30T13:08:00.001+01:00

There were carpets of daffodils all over the place at Shotover House, on the eastern outskirts of Oxford.

Facing west from the house is a broad tree lined walk or drive down to a circular pond . From thence a walk up to a William Kent designed octagonal temple and then down a tight Lime [Tilia] edged walk to the house.

At the eastern side is a long canal ,the end of which sports a gothic revival folly ! These follies are all very well but by the time you get to it it's about time to enhance the opulence of the situation with a snifter, perhaps a glass of Champagne..but where's the bally fridge , glasses or liquor.?.Not a sign of it ! Surely these garden owners are missing a trick !

The tea and cakes at the house were good, especially since I didnt bother to walk to the end of the canal ..just half way !

Sadly this place doesnt seem to be open too often..check out more details at
http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/shotover_house_garden

Another place that has lots of Daffs in a huge drift is Waddesdon, near Aylesbury..

....more winter bark

2010-02-23T16:41:00.004Z

Having chatted over a few winter flowers in yesterdays blog here are a few examples of some lovely plants sporting striking bark colours, especially welcome in the dark grey light of winter.

I have mentioned the Cornus family in a previous blog so it doesnt need rementioning, so lets have a look at some Acers [Maples] Excuse the slightly out of focus pic but i thought the bark of this Acer x conspicuum Phoenix was quite striking as is the bark of Acer pennsylvanicum Erythrocladum. The pink stemmed Acer , photographed at Wisley looks fantastic, but I need someone to confirm the variety I think it is ! -Acer x consp. 'Silver Cardinal' .

Not that I'm very taken by white anything, especially in the winter, but I do think the white stems of these Rubus look pretty good, espicially if something like yellow crocuses could be planted en masse under them. Double bonus.. no bird damage of the Crocus blooms and a fabulous background to the white stems. The yellow stems behind are Cornus sericea Flaviramea. This particular variety of Rubus is R. biflorus and appears to be a more manageable sprawl than the more well known R. cockburnianus.

Finally, who can resist the lovely papery shreds of bark that peel from the Paper bark maple-Acer griseum. It is so extraordinarily tactile.

What's the good of Policies ?

2010-02-22T15:14:00.003Z

SO many organisations have Policies coming out of their earholes. We are mugged into thinking that these Policies are cast iron and the way things are done. The question is, are they ever tested to ensure their efficacy.

It doesnt seem so at 10 Downing Street. We have been loudly advised that it has a 'Policy' to do with staff on bullying and yet on Sunday morning TV with Andrew Marr, dear Mandelson was fudging the issue so proficiently it was farcical. No wonder Christine Pratt of the National Bullying Helpline got herself in such a blather. It is clear that the Mandelson softened descriptions of the alleged carry-ons of Brown is just part of general life and really shouldnt be seen as such a vulgar and incriminating word as Bullying.

So, which is dominant in this and probably most establishments-Culture or Policy ? Policies are pretty pointless.If you have an objection that doesnt fit with the inherent culture of the establishment your complaints will probably render you unemployed at such time as suits the Management, irrespective of Policies.

...more winter flowers

2010-02-22T14:40:00.008Z

Although the weather is totally rubbish at the moment there are still enough plants in flower to make anyone's garden look jolly and cheerful. It always amuses me how Erica carnea's look so good in the winter months and yet they are a plant, for some strange reason, one ignores in the planning of a garden. They are best planted in big groups so as to let the colour of flowers really sing.

I also like Hellebores ,especially the types with upward facing flowers..it's such a pain in the .a... having to get down to ground level to see the lovely blooms of the varieties with more pendant bloom. I read somewhere recently that Wisley have a fine show of some fine new cultivars of upward held blooms..

Another plant that has been catching my attention over the last few years is Pulmonaria. It makes a fine groundcover plant. The blue and pink cultivars are especially pleasing and intermingled with widely spaced Hostas to extend the show in that patch of ground through the year should look pretty good. Perhaps some Tricyrtis generously dotted around as well would give a lovely show in September October when the Hostas are looking a bit jaded

A shrub that for most of the year is a fairly insignificant looker but has useful attributes is Sarcococca, in particular 'humilis' It has fantastic fragrance from fairly discreet flowers in the winter and is also evergreen. I am intrigued to know if it could be treated the same as Buxus and trimmed up into shapes or as edging. Just imagine a bed secretely exuding such a lovely fragrance all around your garden. Gorgeous !!

Finally one cannot forget the effects of big groups of Cyclamen coum in the winter. They seem to be very happy in gravel, judging by a bungalow in a village near Faringdon, Oxfordshire. They are all over the edge if the drive.....it looks stunning. There is a lovely picture of a thick drift of Cyclamen coum in the current RHS magazine, in a garden in Suffolk. Looks awesome.

Some of the pics were taken at Waterperry Gardens near Oxford. It's well worth a visit. There is always something worth admiring whatever the time of year.

Wonderful Witch hazels or Hugely fragrant Hamamelis

2010-02-19T12:22:00.001Z

Witch hazels are one of those shrubs that when seen in the gardencentre look uninspiring, expensive and not doing much, and that's because we are'nt visiting at the best time of year.

They are one of the most delightful shrubs for the winter and if there is room in your garden [they do spread a bit] defenitely worth planting on or near where you'll walk past it, to catch the exquisite fragrance. It's also worth planning what can go underneath them to purpetuate the flowering performance after the blossom is finished. On that subject how about a carpet of some herbaceous Geranium 'Black Beauty', interspersed at wide spacing , say about 1.25m apart of Hosta 'Krossa Regal' and all underplanted with loads of Schizostylis coccinea major. Could look a blast all summer and autumn and then winter when the Hamamelis does its stuff !!

Having enthused so much about them here are a few different varieties to admire. By the way, go to the Hilliers Winter garden, just north of Romsey, to check them out for yourself..its well worth it.[ Make a day of it ..they will lift £8.25 from your purse]

Winter colour

2010-02-15T10:30:00.003Z

The winter bark Cornus, especially the sanguinea group have delightful stem colours that look especially good on the days the sun triumphantly fights through the grey clouds that hang so low in our winter days. I have been especially impressed with C. sang. Midwinter Fire [2nd pic] Annys Winter Orange[4th pic] and Winter Beauty [1st pic]. At the same time, when designing gardens it is fun to try and find attractive combinations of bark or foliage with ground cover.

Although I find the colour on its own very dull the brown tones of the prostrate conifer Microbiota decussata [see 3rd pic] during the winter would work very well as an underplanting for the bright colours of the Cornus stems. Microbiota take on this winter tint and then in the warm summer months change to a more vibrant green. One could possibly underplant them with lots of Crocosmia bulbs to give a lovely orange drift in late summer.

The bonus in the context of garden maintenance is the minimal weeding and care required. The Microbiota will suppress most weeds. A two yearly pruning in the spring of the Cornus stems to sustain the strong growth that renders the best bark colour is about all that has to be done. [Be a bit more gentle with Winter Beauty, they don't want to be pruned quite so hard].

Voila !..a maintainance free border with colour for almost 5 months of the year.

Thou shalt not...well maybe you can

2010-02-11T10:56:00.002Z

I was intrigued by the comments made by the Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday as he seems to , and please correct me if I have misunderstood him, be a tad inconsistent .He was keen to advise the powers that be that the idea of euthanasia or assisted death is a no-no, as it would 'cross a moral boundary' . No doubt he has the Commandment 'Thou shalt not kill' in the back of his mind as he asserts what is right and proper.

Ironically and almost in tandem he was also apologising to the' Sacrifical' priests and gays, having previously said that the gay "lifestyle" is at odds with the church's teaching. I presume he had the Commandment 'Thou shalt not commit adultery' in mind . Pardon me if I am misinformed but that, as I understand it, means no hopping into bed for some cosy or rumpy pumpy with anyone but your wife or husband,depending which sex you are. It applies to everyone irrespective of sexual inclinatiion.

Dare I suggest that the Archbishop of Canterbury should treat this morality with equal vigour as that of murder, or should he stretch the understanding of the meaning of murder to make allowances for those who's life is so dreadful they wish to get assistance to terminate it..

Italian elegance near Miami-Viczaya Gardens

2010-02-05T17:13:00.002Z

There is a most amazing house and garden , built in an Italianate style just south of Miami, It has fabulous views out over Biscayne Bay and sports the most elegant landing deck, reminiscent of what one finds on the landing decks of the lovely villas on the edge of Lakes Como and Maggiore.The gardens are more structural than floral, rather as one might find in central Italy.

It's worth taking the time out to visit them..the atmosphere and elegance is infectious,and a lovely contrast to the more brassy tendencies of Miami .

If you would enjoy a bespoke garden tour of gardens in the UK, France,Italy or the US, do get in touch adam.hodge@oxfordbotanica.com
I can always drop the garden design pen and show you some fab places and ensure you have a thrilling time.

Fantastic fragrance in the winter-Daphne bholua

2010-02-05T11:48:00.001Z

The Daphne family all seem to have reliably delicious fragrance to their blossom but I think this one- Dahpne bholua is the most delightful. The fragrance is exquisite and can be smelt metres away from the plant.

It is wonderful in the winter , flowering as early as January. The plants I saw where in a group of three, about 3 metres apart and at a height of about 1.75 m. It required great self control to stop sniffing the flowers and enjoying the intoxicating fragrance.

There are a number of different cultivars, but siince they are quite difficult to source, it might not be wise to enthuse over any spcific type,apart from which I'm not saying where I buy mine !! One can try Junkers Nursery in Wiltshire:they list a very good selection.

Self assessment of a misdeameanour

2009-11-14T17:24:00.002Z

If I was caught driving down the road speeding or driving recklessly the Police would, without further ado, breathalyse and charge me for the offence. I would'nt have much opportunity to discuss with myself whether I agreeed with their judgement.
Does it not seem a tad cozy then that the Ministry of Defence, who are currently being accused of torturing over 30 Iraqi's is subsequently investigating itself . Well, how lovely. No doubt they will be able to exercise an impartial and objective assessment of their own behaviour ! Surely there is considerable incentive to minimise the accusation to levels that are tolerable not to mention the damage to their reputation.

How do we protest at such a flagrant manipulaton of justice ?

Sensational Salvias

2009-11-11T15:22:00.000Z

Whilst most plants deteriorate in the latter months of the year the Salvia group of shrubs do quite the opposite. They put on a tremendous show that continues into November or until a hard frost . I have eight varieties of which three have flowered consistently since June, and the S guaranatica types are doing their stuff now as are the S involucrata cvs. A few pics show what some of them are like

Flowers in Autumn

2009-11-09T12:05:00.001Z

So many gardens look really dreary in the Autumn and yet its completely unnecessary, there is such alot looking gorgeous, colourful and very cheery. Check out these pictures of plants flowering now and have been for the last few weeks , almost months.
If you want plant names email me ...adam.hodge@oxfordbotanica.com

In the gardens or borders of my clients gardens it is an integral part of the planting scheme to have lots of autumn flowers, berries and to a lesser extent autumn tone leaves, the huge choice of colourful flowering plants can make the garden as exciting and jolly as in the late spring,early Summer when the English garden is often at its best.

If you would love a brighter Autumn garden do get in touch !

Exquisite Euonymus

2009-11-09T11:23:00.004Z

Autumn can be one of the most colourful and exciting times of the year in the garden. The family of Euonymus [Spindle berry] often seems to get overlooked for the more popular fruits, but they do have a number of gorgeous offerings for Autumn colour.

I was visiting Evenley Woods and Wisley the other day and saw a few different varieties looking totally stunning, see pics.

When designing a garden to incorporate Spindle berries[ Euonymus], it is worth taking into account the background colours.ensuring the bush is viewed.in front of dark evergreens or golden autumnal hues of leaves ..they help to lift the colours of the Euonymus.

Surrealism sits sumptuously in Sussex

2009-10-16T16:07:00.009+01:00

The gardens of West Dean College, the previous home of Surrealist fan Edward James are a strange juxtaposition to the expansive romantic parkland beyond the ha-ha.
Furthermore, due to management of garden visitors one enters the gardens from an obscure angle, a bit like opening a book some way into the read.

Having come to visit the results of Harold Peto's creations one is directed across broad rolling lawns , grandly punctuated by mature and elderly Cedars. The Peto Pergola, a structure pointing across the northeastern lawns is approached at the wrong end. It ends at the point at which a sunken garden is being restored, a nobbly piece of stone sculpture acting as the obligatory water feature [I just so dislike this naffest of terms] It is actually quite a tactile piece of stone, water trickling down its curvaceous shape, lightly enough to compel one to touch and feel the stone.

So, we walk back down the Pergola to its start point. It is long. Jolly long and its height infers grandness. At the same time it is also rather intimate. The width of the path isn't quite wide enough for two to walk down it comfortably but adequate for one. Its length is elegantly punctuated by two features. The first a rectangular pool under a sort of Indian dome roof. It slows down one's passage, to look in the water and take in the extra space. Further on is a point of entry, elegantly detailed with defined porches. Finally the arrival at the starting Loggia, the floor detailed with a flint inlaid pattern. Sit here and admire the view down the Pergola's full length. It is effective.

To the south west of the College the landscaped gardens reflect a resume of recent landscape styles, the most recent possibly being the praire /grass 'zone' . Why is it that grasses are arrranged in this maddening and busy 'collection' style and mulched in fine aggregate. It is SO wrong, fussy, messy, overwhelming and p*ss ugly. It is worse than island beds full of HT or Floribunda roses. Enough of the rant !!
Fortunately there are lots of tremendous plantings..big groups of Trachycarpus, reminiscent of gardens around Lake Como, a drive of Holly trees edged in a holly hedge to mention a few.

The River Lavant and its cobbled routing was as dry as a desert. It is supposed to be flowing.

Other areas you can discover when you visit are the walled gardens and the greenhouses. Great things have been done here. I failed to give it my full attention as I was being so forcefully dragged by my guest to the tea rooms for a nice cuppa ' and some coike. I like tea and cake. I put up little resistance. Peach and something was the choice, but needed a knife more than a lardy-dar fork to cut it with. I accidently on purpose crumbled the whole slice on the plate..oh what a dreadful mess !

If you would enjoy a bespoke garden tour for yourself and A N Other check out my website http://www.oxfordbotanica.com/ or get in touch. adam.hodge@oxfordbotanica.com

Fantastic fountain

2009-06-26T18:30:00.008+01:00

At the foot of the Cotswolds is a beautiful Jacobean Manor House-Stanway House. The deep gold stone exudes warmth and almost a sense of ageless luxury. To find oneself in this historic place and admire a columnar jet of water streaking 300 ft into the air, some 25 ft above the Manor House is almost surreal. It's exciting, it's dramatic !

The water feature is part of a quite extravagent and yet delighful water complex-a canal, a now dry water cascade stumbling down the hillside from a splendidly arrogant Pyramid like structure and a small circular pond . The pyramid has one heck of a prominent roof and until one has ascended the hill,conceals the circular polo full of crystal clear water.

The odd thing about the garden, although it is more like a landscape or Park, is the absence of any sense of where to go ! We can see what to look at, and so in an ungainly way one clambers up the hillside to enjoy the awesome views from inside the Pyramid, and take in the tranquil atmosphere and dappled light under a grove of mature Cedars and Douglas fir.

The return path back down the hill to the House is marginally more obvious but still lends the feeling of roaming in still woods until you emerge out on the level looking down the length of the canal. Another small hidden garden behind a box hedge, possibly designed for quite privacy can be found by the wall of, maybe ,a walled garden. Shame the pond was dry.

Sublime English gardens.

2009-06-25T14:00:00.008+01:00

The first four pics are at Hanham Court, the last four at Coughton Court.

Over the last week or two I've had the pleasure of visiting some great gardens with my private guests all of which are fairly recent creations and all quintessentially English..the gardens that is ! Coughton Court , a National Trust property in Warwickshire has enjoyed quite a bit of restoration and is now a really lovely place. No doubt the time of year helps a lot..shrub and English roses feature heavily ,especially in the walled garden along with perennials all sympathetic to the colours of the roses.

What I also enjoyed was the styling of the gardens ..very sympathetic to the buildings ..non-intrusive and yet utilizing modern plants. Some gardens that have been designed recently are so design intense and precious it is exhausting to walk around them..this place didnt give thst feeling .It fitted like a well cut jacket.

The other place is Hanham Court , just south of Bristol and the home of Julian & Isobel Bannerman, garden designers to some distinguished clients, judging by their website. Another recent creation with some amusing quirky bits here and there, the balance of space with flower beds is excellent and the colours of flowers are brilliantly manipulated, quite disciplined but to my mind with excellent and restrained taste. They are not afraid of mixing plants together ,-lilies, sweet william and paeonias for example, getting away from the group planting so often used in landscaping, which I reckon is more like 'splodge' planting.

I've said enough..get over to these places and check them out ! You'll have a good day.

no water in the rills at Westwell

2009-06-05T11:13:00.005+01:00

What a sadness.. the double rill at the glorious gardens of Westwell Manor were dry !! Devestation. Once a year the owners of this fine Arts & Crafts cum post modern styled garden open the gates and let us garden lovers invade their privacy. Last years open day was my first time I visited ,and the lovely twin rils were in full flow,and most pretty it was too ! Sadly this year they were dry. What a shame. It seemed to diminsh the atmosphere of that particular part of the gardens.

Although it won't be open until next year, it would be worthwhile planning to pay a visit, the details found in the NGS book or website.

Equality vs the European Convention on Human Rights

2009-05-29T16:27:00.003+01:00

What a deadly dull title..and yet we have two admirable social edicts that contradict each other.

Why can't a club or establishment choose to select who should enter or use their premises.? If a Ladies Club wants to only receive Ladies into their premises or a Gents Club only receive Gents into their premises why shouldnt they exercise that choice. No issue you think !
Would you expect a Labour Party premises to consider refusing entry to those of other political persuasions especially if they upheld behaviour the Labourites found offensive ? Yes I would and would think it well within their rights to do so.
What if some Bible-bashers walked into strip clubs and insisted in singing hymns or encouraging the management to stop the shows..wouldnt it be deemed a tad inappropriate ?

So why is it that a Christian hotel isnt allowed to insist on a moral code in the bedrooms that was consistent with Christian or biblical teachings ? Why is it that some folk who choose a life style different to that upheld by the Hotel owners have to be so belligerent and fail to respect the policies of the establishment. Why are these particular sort of citizens so insistant in riding rough shod over another way of life, an alternative belief ? Where is their respect for somebody elses life?

What am I rattling on about..read this...http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/5032750/Homosexual-couple-sue-Christian-hotel-owners-for-refusing-them-a-double-room.html

Archbishops are anti BNP

2009-05-26T21:59:00.002+01:00

My curiosity was aroused over the weekend when the Archbishops jointly asked us, the voting public, to avoid choosing the BNP in the forthcoming elections. So, to find they were running a Party political broadcast caused me to listen to what I normally switch off..what was their message.
Horror of horrors.I was sympathetic to much of their softly presented propoganda. I did want to uphold the nationality our Fathers fought to protect. I do object to the avalanche of limp and undemocratic edicts forced upon us, the loss of St Georges day, the removal of such names as Christmas Day or any other Christian festival that our nation has ascribed to for the last umpteen centuries..just to embrace this 'diversity' mantra. All in all I found myself very much in favour of much of what they were advocating !
It really gets my goat that the likes of gays can have a stab at the normality of being heterosexual and yet get very uppity if one should challenge or even choose to disagree with their sexual proclivities.
I get fed up to find that anyone remotely aligned to the Muslim cause is fawned upon if anything is said that might be deemed contrary to their mantra.
I get increasingly jaundiced at the alacrity of the Government or County Council to shmoose with the Muslim sensitivities and yet , at the drop of a hat dismiss anyone who might want to stand up for the God of the New and Old Testament. The nurses ,teachers, counsellors who wish to offer a kindness get a slapping, under the guise of equality.

The legislation in this country is going bonkers. That's why I am curious to know how one can reverse this insiduous deterioration of what I thought was our Englishness. That's why I am a listener to the BHP spin .

Massive wealth, massively different approaches to gardening

2009-05-26T16:03:00.009+01:00

Both Daylesford House and Waltham Place are owned by families of fabulous wealth, and yet the approach to creating lovely gardens are so different.

Lady Bamford recenlty opened the gardens of Daylesford House to the gawping public, me included . The whole place, especially the secret garden and walled garden were so designed and manicured it was almost unsettling, in spite of its elegance and good taste. In fact the hexagonal pool area behind the Orangery was just too cluttered with clipped ballheaded feature plants: it was overkill. About four needed removing to get a gracious balance of space with objet d'plant.

The walled garden was an example of near perfection in plant husbandry and care, not surprisingly with 5-6 gardeners giving of their best. Furthermore the two areas of garden before the walled /veg area were sublimely English and charming.

In total contrast Waltham Place , near Maidenhead which is owned by the Oppenheimer family [diamonds ] is a study in the integration of nature with gardens. One particular border leading from the house had had bindweed designed to go into special beds..but alas .they didnt take !!

The walled garden has had the new natural look perennial planting with freeform Buxus hedges flowing across previously installed paths and ponds 'imposed ' onto it, the imposition being the unusual juxtaposition of styles. To my more traditional eye it seemed a shambles, but there was also fun, an almost intended disregard for what was, in favour of a more relaxed, laissez-faire natural style. Furthermore, I was compelled to find that it worked.

One therefore could ask.. which is better? The spotlessly impeccable almost 'nouveau' approach of Daylesford, or the 'old money' calm of Waltham Place, leisurely and possibly more eco-considerate in its striving to weave natural or indigenous plants into the garden, where weeds were not scorned and excised from existence but allowed to co-exist with the chosen plants of the designer.

You will have to plead an opportunity to visit Daylesford, perhaps when Lady Bamford is opening it with the NGS and also take a visit to Waltham Place and see for yourself which is sublime and which is ridiculous ! Intriguingly both are heavily into organic disciplines.

Sadly it was clearly forbidden to take pictures at both locations so I cannot show you any illustrations of either places, suffice to say they are well worth a visit..I enjoyed them both !

Extraordinary trees at Evenley Wood garden

2009-05-26T14:11:00.009+01:00

If you have any penchant for trees , shrubs and bulbs it is imperative you take the opportunity to visit Evenley Woods garden ,near Brackley. If Lilies are your thing this private wood has the lot !

I recently visited the Woods and was in rapture ..the selection of choice and often rare treees was fantastic. What was even more delightful was the glorious scent of deciduous azaleas, planted in colourful groups around the acidic soil zone of the woodland. I couldnt stop sniffing them. Memorable ones were Rh. Appleblossom [see third pic.] , Irene Koster [first pic.], lutea, Westminster, and Diorama.

Other gems of interest and in flower were some Magnolias., especially M. Wilsonii and M.Sieboldii. Others were a lovely yellow one M. x brooklynensis Hattie Carthen,[second pic.] [an American variety bred or more correctly speaking, hybridised at the Brooklyn Botanical gardens in 1968 and named in honour of Hattie Carthen , a lady living in New York who made enormous efforts to protect the trees in her neighbourhood, amongst other things..a good sort !! ] I also admired M. Brozzoni and M. Charles Coates, a hybrid discovered at Kew Gardens in 1946 by Charles Coates and subsequently named after him.

A group of plants I have always admired but ,in my ignorance often muddled with Hoheria is Halesia. There were at least three varieties looking really lovely-H. carolinae, monticola and H. diptera magnifica [see pic of pendulous white flowers]

If you should come across the owner of the woods-Mr Tim Whiteley, he has an awesome knowledge of his plantings and well worth listening to- fascinating man !

In July I understand the woods are awash with lilies..lots and lots of them. How gorgeous. I hope to visit a few more times soo to indulge in the exquisite fragrance !

website of Evenley Woods gdn http://www.evenleywoodgarden.co.uk/

Enhanced interrogations

2009-04-28T16:35:00.004+01:00

I am in awe at the verbal acrobatics employed by the US Government to disguise what is otherwise called torture. They are so adept at dumbing down the description of what is otherwise an utterly reprehensible and pointless practise.

How would it be if the drug addicts of this world defended themselves saying they were merely consuming 'enhanced stimulants', or the burglars justified their activities as 'enhanced ownership of property'. Perhaps paedophiles should describe their inclinations as 'enhanced affections to children'.

This criticism doesn't address or intend to discuss the justification of torture, but rather that the subject is dressed up in a less vicious sounding title. It begs the question 'why'? Why does the Administration wish to disguise what the activity really is ? What is it uncomfortable about to warrant the verbal disguise ?

a field full of Fritillarias

2009-04-20T10:39:00.007+01:00

Sunday 19th April was Fritillaria Day at the village of Ducklington near Witney, Oxfordshire.

Strangely it is something I have been aware of for many years and yet have never bothered to visit it-I had harboured an image of rather delicate flowers growing in a field as had occurred at school, that had not charmed me at all. Julia S. suggested we took a look, so we did.

Well ,what a surprise ! Having wondered down a funny little track behind the village church from an otherwise classic little English village green sporting a little duck pond, we arrived at an open gate with a newly erected mini marquee acting as vendor of the information about this field. After being regaled by a village worthy about the significant horticultural history of the land we wondered off into the depths of the field, cameras at the ready to capture the utterly sublime site of thousands and thousands of little bell flowers scattered across the land !! I hope the video and pictures give a taster of how charming it is.

Magnolias at Mottisfont

2009-04-06T22:14:00.006+01:00

On a recent trip with one of my Garden tour clients, we visited Mottisfont Abbey, a National Trust garden,just north of Romsey in Hampshire.

One doesnt really associate Mottisfont with anything but old roses for which it has a stunning collection, best viewed in June. This visit was to prove that there is much more to see, especially in early April. The walk from the car park through a bit of woodland conceals the glorious view of expansive lawns, grand old trees, a crystal clear stretch of river..I wonder if it's the River Test, and the Abbey itself.

The lawns to the north of the Abbey are bounded on the west side by some intriguingly framed perennial borders. At a slightly elevated level is a small pleached walk facing north with a wonderful carpet of naturalized Chionodoxa:a stunning sight. Alongside this walk is an expanse of lawn ,prettily decorated with small red tulips and a selection of gorgeous Magnolias, all in full bloom at the time of our visit.

A small walk up to the walled garden, the home of the world famous collection of old roses, and at present sporting a lovely selection of spring bulbs..groups of yellow Hyacinths, Burgundy coloured lily styled Tulips, and clumps of grape hyacinths [ Muscari] with Aubretia and purple Hyacinths,lovely lovely lovely !

If you would like a Garden designer with a wealth of knowledge about plants to accompany you around Gardens of England and Europe, give me a call- 07831 121609 or have a look at the website for Oxford Botanica.

Flowers and colour in a Winter and Spring garden !

2009-04-06T10:11:00.017+01:00

Recently I took a client to Hillier's Arboretum and Winter Garden, one of the most extensive collections of plants in Europe. Fortunately the sky was clear and blue ,the sun was bright and so the plants and flowers were looking gorgeous.

The Winter garden at Hillier's is a tremendous place to see how a garden can look when all else is dull and colourless. Hamamellis and Daphne's were concluding their fragrant show but the Hellebore's and assorted Primulas were fantastic. Primula 'Cowichan' especially looked in good colour. Other primulas elsewhere in the Arboretum included a fine show of P. denticulata. I also enjoyed the carpet of Ipheion and also the wonderful ground cover carpet effect of winter flowering Ericas [Heathers]

Winter bark was reflecting lovely colours especially the orange stems of Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Beauty' and two Maples with yellow bark- Acer rufinerve Erythrocladum and pinky-orange bark of Acer x conspicuum 'Phoenix'. The white stems of Rubus cockburnianus and the more manageable Rubus biflorus were also attractive. I can never understand why they don't plant a carpet of something like Anemone blanda under the Rubus to show off the bark colour better. Ah well...never mind !

The other wonderful aspect of spring are the trees coming into flower, especially Magnolias and Cherries. The big bushes of Magnolia x loebnerii Leonard Messel really does it for me. soft pink blossom , almost tatty on closer examination but ethereal in the setting of a big garden. My favourites are the huge trees of the Himalayan Magnolias with wonderful clouds of strong pink, white or rich mauve tulip like flowers..stunning. I came across two ,for me new varieties of Cherry,young trees but for all that lovely blossom- P. Pink Shell and P. Spire. I imagine Hillier's could possibly supply them.

If anyone would like to be taken round some English or European gardens by a skilled and knowledgable garden designer/plantsman, I am, possibly, your man ! Give me a call 07831 121609.

National offender management...not !

2009-03-12T21:36:00.004Z

Can it be believed that the boffins in London who purport to manage the Offenders of this country [N O M S ] have just blown away £155 million quid on crass bungling mis-management.

In an attempt to organise themselves with a computer systen that could co-ordinate the management of offenders and probation needs they have faffed and fannied around so much they have blown the budget of £99m out of the water, ending up with a bill of £254m and have had to call it a day and try a different scheme. EDS the contractors must of seen this bunch of hill billies coming I'll bet !

The idiocy is that the M of J have for the last few years been ripping money out of the hands of Prison Governors and Probation departments to make apparent savings and drive efficiencies, or is it really to make up for the awesome fiscal cock-ups they have perpetrated in the Ivory tower? I doubt any offender has managed to spirit away so much money so quickly.

How many of these incompetents will be fired ? I very much doubt anyone !
In the meantime the Probation and Prison services are being ransacked of their hard-needed income to protect us, at the end of the day.

Ducking the drubbing ?

2009-02-28T12:52:00.004Z

It was a most gracious gesture for Gordon B. to shut up shop when David Cameron's son died this week. A caring move and from the heart. Wouldnt it be equally respectful if the same action was adopted for the folk whose sons or daughters have been killled in Afghanistan for all of us British citizens? We owe them that respect and recognition just as David and Samantha's son has been awarded.

No doubt you will remind me that each soldier killed is recognised and honoured with a brief speech of gratitude in the House, which doesnt therefore warrant the possibly impractical call to close shop each time due recognition is made. On that basis why did Gordy decide to close shop for DC, and not give a speech of respect and care for DC's son and then continue with the business at hand?

Could we dare entertain the notion that he wasnt looking forward to a serious mauling at PM's Question Time over the way his Government is stumping up billions to make up for the utter shambles our richly rewarded Banking Directors have landed us with. Perhaps he ducked the drubbing !!

PC has gone potty !

2009-02-27T16:59:00.004Z

Why is it that we are exhorted to promote this gospel of Diversity, at the expense of our own nations identity. For goodness sake, we are British with a history back to the Magna Carta and beyond. We are traditionally a society rooted in Christian principals and laws. We have had dreadful scraps between Roman Catholics and the tearaway Anglicans ! We celebrate Christmas, Easter and other Christian festivals. We invite peoples of other nations to live with us accepting and embracing our culture and history.

It is about time we stopped this pussy footing about getting all frightened and apologetic when someone starts to object to the nature of the British way. Either appreciate our Britishness with its roots and the culture, or shut up, or perhaps go live somewhere else if what we uphold is so objectionable.

Lets make sure that nurses can pray for their patients as in the case of Caroline Petrie in Weston-super-Mare, if the patient's don't mind. We should be able to celebrate Christmas and be proud of it, not renaming it some flimflam alternative to pacify those who don't like it. We should be encouraged in this Diversity focused society to chat or discuss Christianity in school instead of penalising it [ref Jennie and Jasmine Reid in Devon*] or allow a Christian Relate therapist to abstain from promoting practises contray to their beliefs.

Heck, lets get back to good common sense and be proud of our heritage as Brits. Diversity includes our own culture and faith, and those who are promoting it's exclusion need an Asbo served on them pronto !!

* http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/4604205/Archbishop-speaks-in-support-of-primary-school-receptionist-facing-sack.html

the FSA have failed..Fire them.

2009-02-27T16:47:00.007Z

It is a wonder when we read that Lord Turner , the top chappy at the FSA, rather charmingly tells us that the way they regulated the likes of HBOS and Lloyds was wrong. THat puts it mildly. Surely it was gross and downright incompetence.

As the financial policemen of the country they have made an unmitigated horlicks of their job. One could liken it to the Metropolitan Police letting London be bombed as thoroughly as Hitler managed, all the while having jolly lovely chats with the culprits.

They should be sacked..the lot of them and stopped from any employment involving finance.

What would be the procedure if the FSA contract cleaners had left the FSA loos all dirty and cacky..they'd probably loose the contract forthwith. Why havent the FSA johnnies been dismissed or is it a different procedure for one's chums ?

America and Afghanistan

2009-02-26T12:53:00.005Z

A recent report from the US Government points out that Afghanistan's human rights problems included extrajudicial killings; torture; poor prison conditions; official impunity; prolonged pretrial detention; restrictions on freedom of the press to mention but a few beastly goings ons.

Does Guantanemo sound something like this ? Perhaps the 'Mericans did an indepth study of the Afghan way and transposed it to their own little hell hole of prolonged pretrial detention, or is remotely possible [oh no surely it couldnt be !] that they were more than able to design such unjust arrangements themselves.

Can we hope that the new Administration will not be wagging their finger too hard at Afghanistan quite yet !

Identifying Extremism

2009-02-13T11:25:00.003Z

Barack recently said 'we are free in diversity' but you can't have diversity if you brand one group as extremists." How then does one identify extremism or challenge extremists ? Is'nt it a bit like the school bully- you didnt really dare challenge him as you knew you would get thumped and therafter picked upon by the flunkies that held onto his shirt-tails. It is interesting to observe that those especially inclined to be agressive are often the quickest to protest since it prevents eventual identification of their intentions to dominate.

We are witness to the recent issue with Mr Geert Wilders and his confrontation with our Border Control, all because Ms Jacqui Smith, rather hurriedly, decided he was personna non grata. He seems to have quite the reputation for being rather pointed in his alleged exposures of all things Islamic. Intriguingly it seems Islam is beyond reproach judging by the speed in which protests come from their quarters.

I wonder if our chum Dawkins of Oxford, who seem determined to rubbish the existence of the God of Israel and all things Christian should be receiving the same state initiated constraints. Strangely the Christians of the UK havent angrily protested to all and sundry demanding wholesale banning of the publications or that Dawkins be compelled to shut up or even be in fear of death threats. Their approach seems to be a more British way, which, it must be recognised is historically part of this countries DNA, as in, our law and social code of conduct is rooted in Christianity.

Thank goodness for that !

I love Golliwogs

2009-02-06T13:20:00.004Z

It is all getting mighty silly, what with this current hullabaloo about Golliwogs. I am deeply offended by these silly luvvies who are making the most offensive accusations about golliwogs and humans.

I vaguely recall having a golliwog when I was a little boy ,as well as a plethora of other toys, and I ate Robertsons jam at tea time and stared indifferently at the illustration on the label. I might even have collected some of the tokens to get some freebie being offered. I just saw them as golliwogs. They were toys. End of.

Whilst starting my first job in the Autumn of 1972 I heard some inane programme on radio 4 or something where a lady was getting frightfully upset and anxious about all the golliwogs displayed on Robertson jam and how it was offensive. . I was so astonished at her conclusions having never drawn such unpleasant understandings in my childhood. I thought she was completley barking and making unnecessary alarmist and rude accusations about anyone remotely associated with golliwogs, which historically had to include me.

Whoever you people are, you are extremely ignorant ,rude and illinformed.
Get your act sorted out before we make formal complaints about you to the Police.
I dont think Wilberforce would have appreciated your attitudes at all, in fact he would probably need to liberate us from you.

dithering in Davos

2009-02-06T13:05:00.003Z

The corridors of Davos are emptying of the legions of our world's leaders and shakers. What have they managed to achieve in their expensive week away ? What does one imagine is the cost in man hours and billable time for all these pillars of authority and power? They surely must have arrived at a catalogue of mighty, economy changing, wealth creating decisions !
According to an article in the FT not so.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5666fcf4-f081-11dd-972c-0000779fd2ac.html?ftcamp=Late_headline1/NL/UKFeb2009/Cluster_1_davos/0/&nclick_check=1

What a sad waste of management !

Up to no good or numpties

2009-02-02T13:46:00.002Z

Judging by the performance of the Ministry of Justice over the last few years especially in the context of the suicide of a prisoner in their custody some years ago, one is compelled to face the reality that they could be being very mischievous or are just a bunch of numpties..could you offer some help in the choice.

This quandry is fuelled by an interesting question Lord Ramsbotham asked in the H of Lords last week. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/90128-0001.htm#09012856000347. He was attempting to establsh why Stephen Shaw ,the Prisons Ombudsman,[and for my money a pretty fair sort of chap,] had resigned from an investigation into the untimely death of a prisoner in the care of our Government. Reading the resignation letter SS wrote http://www.howardleague.org/fileadmin/howard_league/user/pdf... it is clear that the M of J. was trying to interfere with his independance as an investigator. One wonders what the motive was behind such interference.

To add further intrigue to this sad situation they then suggest that a formal independant investigation is headed by a previous Director General,l a Brian Payling who I think was I/c of prisons when the incidence occurred. Well, how about that for insidiuos manipulation. Independant! have they been on the white pwder or something ?Thankfully the High Court threw that suggestion out. Thank goodness someone is exercising good judgement as it seems sadly lackinmg at the M of J.

The laugh is that Lord Bach squirmed as he attempted to evade the questions directed to him by Lrod Ramsbotham and others..he could'nt bring himself to admit the M of J had been out of order or maybe even a bit devious, or if they were not being so ill-willed then simply incompetent ! He didnt exactly display much stiff back bone or gumption to face the music and acknowledge bad behaviour.

Lord Bach and benefit fraud

2008-12-15T11:00:00.005Z

An advert currently being viewed on TV re. benefit fraud leads us to clearly understand that any such person claiming benefits dishonestly could very well end up in prison. Since this advert has been sponsored by the Government we must therefore conclude that such claimants are either dangerous,violent or habitually claiming benefits fraudulently. It seems a draconian view of the folk portrayed in the advert.

Perhaps you might defend them, insisting they are nothing of the sort. I would love to believe you. But we are assured by Lord Bach as he said on 10 December in the House of Lords ''those who should be behind bars:the most dangerous, the seriously persistent offenders and the most violent'' . There... we have it !

Would it be remotely possible that Lord Bach is talking a load of tosh and in fact probably about 50% of those in prison are, in actual fact, not dangerous or violent and probably re-offend because of the horrendous difficulties for ex-offenders to get a job once out of prison.

Talk and action

2008-12-09T13:33:00.004Z

For the 'Plane stupid' bunch to get such a lot of fencing assembled and moved into the operational area of Stanstead Airport indicates what useless security facilities the BAA have. Where were the security cameras picking up such an unusual amount of activity on the perimeter ? Why weren't some security vehicles sent around way before break-in was achieved to investigate what was going on ?

It begs a bigger question? How does the Government plan to put into effect the needs of the international environmental mob, if they are encouraging investment in more runways ?

I am not convinced ,judging by the full planes that Ryan, BA and many others seem to fly, that many people are buying all this global warming/ carbon footprint stuff, and I suspect the Government see that. That is why they are allowing more runways, because we the voter want them. If we didn't we wouldn't be filling the planes. I, like many others, put up with a shabby airport service at Stanstead so I can fly the dirt cheap flights. It is always grim after a flight into Stanstead with endless walking and waiting ,and yet we endure it and certainly ignore the talk about global warming, if it really is warming.

Why is it that Mars is warming up too, or have the Martians been a bit grubby in their environmental behaviour as well ?

Bible verses and Blessings from Almighty God

2008-12-05T16:14:00.007Z

It is bizarre that the Advertising Standards Authority decided recently that placing a verse from the Bible in an advert [about Homosexuality] is offensive and breaks standards of decency,[ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5279349.ece] particularly in the light of the fact that the Queen in her recent speech in the Houses of Parliament concluded her remarks with the following...
'' My Lords and Members of the House of Commons: I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels''

This puts us in a dilemna.

Either we encourage the Lords and Members to accept, wholeheartedly, the prayer of our Queen and therefore God's blessing and presumably all that God stands for, or we ask the ASA or whatever body who wishes to judge the lawfulness of the Queens Speech whether the Queens prayer might be deemed offensive. I would suspect they will find the Queen in possible breach of being potentially offensive.

It might be more sensible if we could re-evaluate the absurdity of some of our current laws that penalise us for upholding the more stringent aspects of Gods framework for our lives, as detailed in The Bible. I suspect that if the ASA or whoever were asked to comment on what is offensive in the Bible they would condemn the whole book , whereas the basis of their judgement needs condemning !

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Efficiency savings= suicide

2008-12-02T12:02:00.002Z

Surely we must credit HM Government for unwittingly being instrumental in the efficent reduction in numbers of our obese offender population. Attempting to save money and exercise greater eficiencies has led to the safety measures for potential suicide candidates to collapse and hey presto.the fellow tops himself. Check out the suicide at Wandsworth prison earlier this year http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/wandsworthnews/3938519.Murderer_threatened_suicide_before_hanging_himself_in_prison__inquest_hears/

Should we campaign the Gonernment to squeeze the costs even tighter in prisons. At least then the staff won't even have time to pay a visit to the fellows cell and he can pop his cloggs without any risk of being found. Easy !

Punishment and pensioners

2008-11-26T09:49:00.003Z

A challenging question is posed to us all by the recent decision by Jack Straw to ban comedy theatre being developed in Prison. Although he acknowledges prison must be places for reform ,he also says they are places of punishment. So where does comedy theatre come in these remits ? I propose it is helpful to a prisoner for the same reason I and my colleagues where encouraged,at school,to engage in things like debating societies, theatrical performances etc etc. Something to do with being a more rounded person we were told ! So surely it is a good and proven thing and a wise investment for us the taxpayer.
The question of punishment also needs more definition, if anyone is remotely bothered. IS not prison and its deprivation of liberty the punishment ? Or should it be compounded by a regime of discomfort and meagre creature comforts. If the latter is to be included why do the Governmet spend taxpayers money on heating and hot water in prisons. Our poor old pensioners on meagre pensions can barely afford to heat their homes let alone feed themselves three meals a day. Perhaps the savings made if these facilities are reduced couled be given to our worthy pensioners.

Keeping schtum at the Scrubs

2008-11-19T16:43:00.006Z

Whilst I have huge respect for Anne Owers and her team of cohorts in the HM Prisons Inspectorate, it does seem a tad strange that they have concluded, following their recent inspection of Wormwood Scrubs, that there isn't evidence of an abusive or negative staff culture.

Have the circumstances leading to a compensation payment of £472,000.00 for one particular inmate, allegedly following injury suddenly just disappeared, or is there a massive cover up going on? Collusion between the officers and the gangs Ms Owers has identified might be a possibility.

Governors have been known in previous years to allow officers to use Gangs to maintain a control of a prison population. Perhaps something like that is happening at the Scrubs. We all know staffing levels in a lot of prisons is dire.

Something iffy is happening otherwise Ms Owers colleagues wouldnt have spotted the considerable deterioration in safety, respect, purposeful activity and resettlement. Maybe the evidence stares them in the face and is so in their face they can't see it !

Baby P and Probation cutbacks .

2008-11-18T22:03:00.005Z

Is it not pitiful that the number crunchers, in this case we assume the Treasury are not held to account for failing to provide funding sufficient for the outsized responsibilities foisted upon social workers. Why is it they-the Social workers always become the culprits of bad practise when in actual fact they are working in a disgracefully underfunded environment.

It is little wonder that there has been such a catalogue of failures with Baby P. and I'll bet there are lots of near-misses that havent been caught in the media searchlights. Perhaps the Agencies or Councils responsible should quote a realistic price per head for the good management of the Baby P's of the country, and levy a charge to HM Treasury for every candidate they are expected to oversee. If the Treasury are remiss in paying the dues required the actual people who make decisons about cash allocation can be held accountable for the death or otherwise of the Baby P's.,sentenced and imprisoned where appropriate. It might sound ludicrous but why can't these wise mandarins take responsiblity for the consequences of ther choices.

It was announced recently that the Probation services budget is being cut back, by what- about 3%. Watch out media, there are going to be a lot more near-misses coming up. It is your responsibility to highlight and shine your spotlight of analysis on how or wether the Treasury are ultimately responsible.

Grand corporate theft

2008-09-15T09:16:00.004+01:00

The recent demise of the xl travel company and the trail of broken contracts /agreements it has left behind is tantamount to systematic theft. Some 320,000 customers had paid their monies to this company for the provision of a servce or producxt, namely the flight and or holiday as was offered. They had no doubt committed themselves to it in accordance with the terms of business established within the contract. Why is it then that UK law has devised it such that this and countless other organisations are permitted to take these monies without providing a firm guarantee that the monies are refundable if the service/ product isnt delivered. There seem to be so many ways companies can wriggle out of a contract or agreement. Perhaps the law should be rewritten to allow the customer to renage as well.

Supermarket scam offers

2008-09-13T14:40:00.004+01:00

It really is getting my goat the way Supermarkets make scurrilous and quite deceiptful 'offers'. Currently Tesco is offering 50% off a wide selection of wine.

Being a bit of a wine enthusiast I noticed Prosecco on offer at 50% off. The sneeky thing about the offer is the actual type of Prosecco they were discounting. It is one very rarely seen on their shelves..I always look as i particularly enjoy the stuff as a cheap pop ! Normally they sell a type called 'La Gioiosa Prosecco' which is available for about £6.50 as with most other supermarkets. The stuff they are promoting is called 'Prosecco Extra Dry' from Cantine Maschio,a brand I have never seen before on their shelves. What takes the ticket is the apparent normal selling price of nearly £9.00. Since when have Tesco's sold such an expensive Prosecco? Very rarely ! The discounted wine is on offer for about £4.50 or so. Compared to the standard stuff which usually runs at £6.50 odd to call £4.50 a 50% discount is a load of test tickles.

Of course, we have to acknowledge they are working within the law as they probably put a dozen bottles out somewhere poorly displayed for the statutory period of time and then have the gall to claim it is a Special Offer. Yeah right ! Its just plain sly and if they are so comfortable using such sly practices we better watch out !

What can we do to highlight this Scam ?

Consuming and criticising

2008-08-31T15:17:00.005+01:00

The Western world have been wringing their hands and jumping up and down with anxiety about the ongiong clearance of jungles in the warmer parts of the world where vast swathes of woodland are being cleared. It is utterly astonishing that we have the gall to make a squeek of protest in view of our penchant for the fruits of the cleared forests and the state of our own back yard. Whatever am I rattling on about you muse ?

Did you know that the bulk of the timber felled is sold to us the western world for our smart furniture, posh new interiors of offices, restaurants, coffee shops etc etc. We buy it ! So lets stop it. We also have developed quite a penchant for Soya. oh my gosh! Who knew that acres and acres of cleared land in Brazil is being planted with soya to be supplied to which hungry and increasingly obese market ?

As for us with no tropical forest to clear how can we help or set an example with our own land ? How about returning all set-aside land and national parks to woodland for starters? As it is we cleared acres of land to make a navy a few hundred years ago and there isn't much evidence that we have made any effort to replant our acreages in the same manner we are expecting Brazil or Thailand or other timber producing countries to adopt. Driving through the New Forest or across the Yorkshire moors one notices wide expanses of treeless land where we could start planting mixed hard, soft and coniferous forests immediately. But to date we have just consumed and criticised . What was that comment about a log in our eyes ?

Terrible Titans

2008-08-29T08:51:00.010+01:00

There has been a sunami of resistance from almost everybody involved in Prison work or with offenders to the proposal by the Government to eleviate the chronic problem of overcrowding in our jails with the planned construction of 3 'Titan' prisons The Government seem to have found wise council from we know not where [surely it can't just be Lord Carter ?] and are lurching headlong with this apparent cost saving initiative to build these 2500 bedded prisons, claiming, as they stumble forwards, that it will also help with re-offending rates.

Unfortunately they are claiming a potential reality that the Prison Officers are bemused with, the IMB [Independant Monitoring Board - the Home Secretaries own eyes and ears in the Prison Service] are contesting- the HM Prisons Inspectorate are at odds with, let alone many of the organisations all closely involved with prisoners [see list below], not to mention some learned members from the House of Lords who have set up a think tank Building More Prisons? Or is there a better way?' to redirect the current intentions.

Furthermore it is known that the French tried this type of prison outside Paris [Fleury-Merogis] and are not planning any more..it didnt work, or shall we interpret that to mean it was a disaster ! THey discovered that 600 was a maximum to house in one establishment Read the account here- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/file_on_4/7301050.stm

The other and most pressing issue is what do we all think ? Are we bothered ? A close friend said to me the other day, and I fear this reflects a common attitide ' I think that prisoners are in prison to suffer for their crimes. Strike them roughly I say, and throw them to the ground ! ' To an extent there could be some mileage in that viewpoint but we also need to remember that whilst they might be struck down on the ground we the taxpayer are coughing up £40.000 per annum per prisoner. Now that seems like a poor way to spend our money. We therefore need to be sure that some if not a lot of that investment is directed towards preparing them for a successful reintegration into society. Wheel the offenders onto the runway of life and social necessities and give them a great big shove. Don't expect them to buzz off like a house fly. If we don't and they leave prison and reoffend rather too quickly as seems to be the norm these days, we will have been complicit in their failure to succeed in society. Their preparation will have been a shabby failure and we will be paying for it.

What do you readers think ? Remembering that most offenders will return to society how would you propose they be best prepared for when they leave the nick?

Adam

Signees to a letter to Jack Straw contesting the concept of Titan Prisons.

Lucy Gampell, Director, Action for Prisoners' Families
Davlin Brydson, Chair, Association of Black Probation Officers
Angela Clay, Chairman, Association of Members of Independent Monitoring Boards
Emma Norton, Bindmans LLP
Denise Marshall, Group Co-ordinator, Birth Companions
Christopher Jones, Chair, Churches' Criminal Justice Forum
Clive Martin, Director, Clinks
Dr Katherine Rake, Director, Fawcett Society
Professor Mike Hough, Director, Institute for Criminal Policy Research
Rob Allen, Director, International Centre for Prison Studies
Deb Coles and Helen Shaw, Co-Directors, INQUEST
Sally Ireland, Senior Legal Officer (Criminal Justice), JUSTICE
Gareth Crossman, Policy Director, Liberty
Paul Cavadino, Chief Executive, Nacro
Harry Fletcher, Assistant General Secretary, Napo
Chris Thomas, Chief Executive, New Bridge
Andy Keen-Downs, Director, pact
Colin Moses, National Chair, Prison Officers’ Association
Juliet Lyon, Director, Prison Reform Trust
Pat Jones, Director, Prisoners' Education Trust
Alan Hooker, Director, Prisoners' Families and Friends Service
Paula Harvey, Programme Manager, Quaker Crime, Community and Justice Group
Joyce Moseley, Chief Executive, Rainer Crime Concern
Sebastian Saville, Executive Director, Release
Harriet Bailey, Chief Executive, Restorative Justice Consortium
Paul Corry, Director of Public Affairs, Rethink
Baroness Linklater, Chair, Rethinking Crime and Punishment
Kevin Ireland, Interim Chief Executive, Revolving Doors Agency
Fran Sainsbury, RSA Prison Learning Network
Sean Duggan, Director of Prisons and Criminal Justice Programme, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health
Lucie Russell, Director, SmartJustice
Gary Kernaghan, New Business Director, SOVA
Steve Rolles, Research Co-ordinator, Transform Drug Policy Foundation
Bobby Cummines, Chief Executive, UNLOCKSuzanne Sibillin, Director, Women in Prison

Olympics in London

2008-08-26T22:57:00.007+01:00

We must all commend the fantastic results of the Britah athletes. Their achievements are awesome.

What is also awesome is the extraordinary achievements of the body of folk getting our own Olympic village built. A budget was set by the experts[we hope] a few years ago and guess what.it has been blown away, not to the tune of double or triple but an awesome four times as much.

Who exactly are these people who are brought in to make such a colossal cockup of the budget. They also accept a most dreadful logo to represent the UK Olympics- it looks like someone has torn up the Union Jack and hurriedly reassembled the scraps, not to mention paying out an astronomical sum of money for it. I think the Advertising agency saw these muppets coming ! A few heads need a serious crack together or chopping off.

One only hopes that dear Boris can instill the gang of incompetents with some discipline, good housekeeping and rigourous commercial sense, otherwise we will see the budget just run away. In fact lets set a bet that the Olympic overspend will reach at least 6 times the original sum. Any volunteers to run the book ?

Mischievous 'mericans

2008-08-15T18:37:00.005+01:00

Although Russia's 'invasion' in Georgia is bad form and yobbish behaviour i do just wonder if the US [Georgey Baby] are winding things up a bit with their supposed support of Georgia, with military plane loads of 'aid'.

They are behaving in a mischievous manner, spreading their aggressive might across to the very borders of Russia, and with holier than thou accusations of heavy handed tactics by the Ruskies whilst they not too subtley sneak in like a team of zealous solar-panel salesmen!

Just think how they'd squeel [like pigs] if the Russians chose to sit quite so close to their borders. They would be creating a right ol' stink about it. I'm sure they'd be delighted to have Russia befriending and financing Mexico with 'Aid' and all the other benevolence that could be shipped in by military plane.

I'm no fan of the dictatorship Putin is trying to recreate, but it is blatantly clear that Bush is becoming as imperialistically bad as if not worse than Putin.

Soggy summers and Salvias

2008-08-09T16:40:00.006+01:00

This drizzly weather is a strange expression of this new phenomena 'global warning' which I am starting to think is gov-speak for voluntary self-control of our energy usage. Over the last few years we havent really had summers, as in lots of warm sunny days. Furthermore I heard that Mars is also suffering from this 'warming' effect so who is going to sort out those naughty dirty Martians ! It might be that the sun is changing its output of heat and we have just got to take the consequences on the chin.

I digress from my intended thought for the day. My garden has not flowered so much for ages...Agapanthus galore, some shrub roses especially Rosa 'Sharifa Asma' which has the most sublime fragrance and the loveliest soft pink blooms, My growing collection of Salvias is starting to get busy with flowers especially S. Microphylla Newby Hall[I think] and Salvia buchananii. The Salvia micro.'Cerro Potosi', S. greggi 'Desert Blaze', S. 'Christine Yeo', and my prized S. guar. Blue Enigma is hopefully going to chuck up some flower buds soon. The S. Purple Queen is proving a tad shy so I need it to buck its ideas up before the year is over.

Strangely the Hemerocaulis bought last year from a Plant fair at Losely Hall[Guildford]and put in big tubs have been a bit pathetic with the flowers so they are destined for the border in due course to get a wiggle on.

I have two big pots of Crocosmias-Emily Mackenzie and Gerbe d'Or that are furiously throwing up flower spikes. As the pot of C. Lucifer was a complete loss on flowers it has been split up and lobbed in the garden and the C. Emily Mackenzie should compensate with lots of blooms. It has lovely orangy copper flowers with a trracotta dash in the throat and seems to last for ages.

The last bit of horticultural excitment in the garden is the rapid growth of 5 culms of my favourite Bamboo- Semi-arundinaria fastuosa.They are nearly up to the tallest culm at 5m and with any luck might even get taller what with the wet conditions. My dream would be to have a Bamboo that grew 12-18 m , just as I saw at La Bambouseraie near Anduze [SW France]on a recent trip.

Is it OK to eat Foie gras ?

2008-08-08T09:29:00.003+01:00

There is a fascinating blog in the US about this subject to which I have been adding my penny's worth , or rather dimes worth. http://www.drvino.com/2006/08/03/goose-gitmo.
I am very partial to a drop of the stuff especially if its served with a chilled glass of something like Monbazillac, Saussignac or even a Rivesaltes . I havent included the obvious wines like Sauternes as I'm not so well off these days to indulge in such beauties !
Getting back to the squabble about the kindness to geese in producing Foie gras, most of the advocates for it to be stopped seem to view the subject as though the goose was human. The comments in the blog explain quite clearly they [the geese] have a different swallowing physiology so all the heart-wringing is unnecesary.

There is also the issue about the excessively gorged Liver rendering the ol' bird a toxic hazard? Hmmmm ..is that why the French are so uniquely different to the rest of the world ? Addled on goose toxins. Thank goodness for them. I love France and all the food and wine they produce- top chaps !

Another point raised is that the whole gavage process is unkind and disrespectful to the geese so on those grounds the practise should be halted. Interesting thought although following that line of logic brings into question a whole plethora of suspect farming practises that might need to be withdrawn-fattening up cows and pigs with grain, eapecially US produced Cattle, battery chickens [as Hugh Fearnley tiddlipush and Jamie have recentlty brought to our attention], farmed salmon..the list goes on !

I still love the stuff but would be happy to eat naturally gorged geese or duck liver if it is a proven health risk eating the toxin soaked livers we are warned off ! Do any of you folk reading this blog have an opinion..lets get a discussion going !!

Courtesy ,Christian Names and conduct

2008-08-07T13:42:00.009+01:00

AN article in the Telegraph [ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2503119/Prison-too-harsh-on-inmates-says-report.html ] has given rise to a whole load of comments about the whole ethos of Prisons. It all springs from the HM Prisons Inspectorate suggesting that prisoners be called by their Christian name and a few other issues.

I cannot quite get my head around the struggle with the problem these writers have. Notwithstanding the fact prisoners have, by virtue of breaking the law, ended up in a prison, is the punishment the loss of liberty or the infliction of a hostile regime dispensed by people with a hostile attitude or both? Jane the jailor from Florida points out the success of a harsh regime on re-offending rates..a disaster ! Furthermore it doesnt take much to look on Google and find enough comments about the pink clothes and harsh conditions as offered by Sheriff Arpaio (Arizona)to discover the regime costs the local state a shed load of money over and above the economies saved by the srtringent regime. The state is forever paying out damages for being sued for outrageous behaviour from the, no not the prisoners, but the noble and not so honourable warders and Governor. 'Nil pointe' to that idea.

The question we all need to ask, since we all donate to or invest in the Prison service so generously through our tax, is how can we ensure these folk do not re-offend again on release as we are coughing up as soon as they return to prison? Ensuring they have a decent skill on release has proven to very successful. Fear of returning to an awful place obviously has some level of deterrant. Education and the ability to fit into society is also very important.
At the end of the day it isnt dissimilar to raising children so that, by the time they are independant at 18, they are groomed and skilled to integrate with society and co-exist with their neighbour. If a prisoner is socially inept or devoid of the where- withall to make a success of their life post-prison the only people to blame and who could of improved things are us - you and me. We all pay handsomely for them to be locked up, again and again. Is that stupid or what ?

The prisons in the UK I've visited [HMP Springhill, Blantyre House, Swinfun Hall] that have seriously invested in worthwhile skills training [IT, plumbing, building etc etc ] seem to be claiming very low levels of re-offending . If that isnt good economic sense I don't know what is. Furthermore I regularly visit a prison [HMP Grendon] specifically geared to address prisoners offending behaviour. They also have data to show that the consequences of the prisoners re-orientation of attitude leads to considerable reductions in re-offending ,and many of these guys were unsavoury characters. Another excellent investment.

Perhaps the answer lies with the countries in Europe that have low rates of imprisonment or in New York where the jails are emptying out because nobody wants to incur the punishment in the first place, the threat of prison keeping them from breaking the law. It also turns out that New York, according to a friend who spends many months in Manhatten and a few in Mayfair, feels safer than London.

A gracious garden at Greys Court

2008-08-07T12:02:00.006+01:00

ON a recent day trip with one of my clients/guests to Henley-on-Thames we called in to see the gardens of a lovely old Tudor house in nearby Rotherfield Grey- Greys Court. First impressions are rather bleak as a walk is necesary up from the carpark to what we are told is a fine frontage to this Tudor Manor. Well yes, it is good and the gardens beyond the house are quite Lancelot Brown in style. There is a fabulous Arbutus [andrachnoides] with stunning cinnamun-red bark [see pic] and a little grove of the ordinary Arbutus [Strawberry tree] amongst a good cluster of fine trees.
The gardens proper are in an ancient walled area. The white garden ,Old Rose garden, a group of wisterias creating a vast canopy, and then the big surprise -the Kitchen garden. It is abundantly evident this is where the major investment of care and attention is spent. The place is both beautifully maintained, imaginatively planted and with a selection of rather smart arbours. I've never seen such well pruned fruit laden espalier apples in ages.
At the bottom of the orchard is an unusual wooden chap, probably viewing with much satisfaction all he can see. The final chapter of the garden is an enclosed room with a fairly new planting of large leaved herbaceous with a brickedged stone path streaking through the middle of it. I felt it needed another 4 pairs of balled Box to really give the path some presence..it's a bit functional at the mo'.
As in any garden trip you always finish with a 'nice-cuppa-tay' It takes the biscuit to have it in a room called The Cromwellian Room and being every part of it. With such a sense of history it sure makes that cuppa taste good !

Lavender and a lovely garden in the Cotswolds

2008-08-06T12:10:00.008+01:00

I recently took some clients to the Cotswolds . We encountered a sight more likely to be found in the Provence than cool England. Rows upon rows of Lavender- in full bloom and looking like a recently ridged purple potato field . Wow.. have you ever seen such a sight ?

For the techie folk the principal variety grown commercially is L. Grosso and an earlier flowering one is L Sawyers. In the display area of different varieties the most striking, in my opinion, was L. Imperial Gem. It had quite a compact habit but the flowers were the darkest blue and a better habit than the ever popular L Hidcote. or the looser growing L. Munstead.

As a Garden designer I was struck how good it looked with various colours running side by side -a wonderful idea for edging a long drive or long path, and if one planted into it something tall and gold, perhaps the Gold Elm or even yellow or pink Pillar roses. The effect would be glorious.

We went on to one of my favourite gardens in the Cotswolds- Kiftsgate Court ,which ironically is a stone's throw from the more well known Hidcote Gardens. The wide drive glides through stately trees -I noticed a line of Weeping Limes on the right and a marvellous large leaved Poplar on the left [Populus lasiocarpa I think]. Even where the cars are parked fine Magnolia trees grace the border along with a line of Hickories.

Immediately one enters the garden your senses are assaulted by a long hedge of mottled pink Berberis near a border of mixed red roses. Wow! The strength of colour is powerful. It is calmed by an equally fine border of the soft pink Rose Felicite. I spotted some gems growing on the wall of the house- Salvia guaranitica [pronouced Goran-iti-ker ] was starting to show off- it has long blue flowers, rather longer than the popular red bedding Salvia.

Along the far side of the house a big planting of assorted Hydrangeas were revealing their summer glory. My favourite must be H. aspera sargentiana- a big wide bush sporting lavender powdery purple flowers looking like big flat plates- wonderful.

Further on through a long enclosed garden you get to a hedge ! Well, what is the big deal about that ? Behind this Yew hedge is a rectangular pond with a collection of metal tropic looking leaves on tall stalks dribbling water into the pool. It is quite ghastly. Why ? Because the place has been stripped down to the bare bones of the elements of a garden- Green walls green floor, white stone bordering the sinister black water and some articifial plants ..thank goodness they werent plastic ! The designer needs an ASBO serving on him !

Walking through the remainder of the garden was a healing process , a restoration of sense and beauty. Blossoms and foliage, all quietly and stylishly assembled restored the numbed emotions from the previous assault. My equilibrium was ready for a pot of Earl Grey and a big fat wedge of Cake.

Mark Shaw QC and Exeter Uni CU or is it ECU

2007-07-18T12:25:00.001+01:00

This most distinguished Gentleman has opined in his legal wisdom that Muslims should be allowed to lead a CU . He said that

the CU was wrong to require that those leading the CU should be Christians. That position, he said, could be held by anyone of any faith or none, provided they agree to the objectives of the CU!

"In paragraph 92 (4) of his adjudication, Mr Shaw even goes on to suggest that on the Exeter University campus, the 'Welsh Society should be open to Scottish members; the wine society open to teetotal members, the choral society should be open to non-singing members, and the cheerleading society should be open to male members ...'

Mr Shaw is only reflecting what the UK law now expects of us !

No doubt he will be agreeing that it would be acceptable for lesbians to join the distinguished Gentlemans Clubs of London, that rapists join or visit homes for battered women, and Anarchists join whatever noble body of folk all the Lawyers subscribe to.

What is so puzzling about this issue re human rights is that it seems to deprive any gathering of people with a particular enthusiasm that they wish to promote or congregate or align themselves with from actually promoting or sustaining their identity and cause. It has shot itself in the foot.

Could anyone help me grasp this twisted nettle .

Prison overcrowding- an own goal !

2007-06-20T09:28:00.000+01:00

When is simple common sense going to be exercised about the prison population? Most of the characters that are lobbed into jail end up returning. Why? From my observations as a long standing member of the Independant Monitoring Board [Board of Visitors] might I proffer one suggestion.

Rather as one goes to hospital with the intent to be fixed of ones ailment and one nurtures a child to enter society fit to not only survive but prosper, so we [society] who imprison offenders should be taking this opportunity, with all the initiatives that our able jailers can muster, to prepare them for successful release, adequately equipped to reintegrate into life 'outside' .

Currently most offenders, upon release are almost compelled to reoffend; we have inadvertantly designed it that way.

Serious investment in skills training, therapy, and learning social maturity would make huge inroads into the quite obese reoffending rate. Although some investment has been made it is chicken feed compared to what could provide a worthwhile return. There are a number of prisons that have low reoffending rates-Blantyre House and Grendon for example.

As Derek Lewis, when he was brought in as Head of Prisons in the early 90's instigated KPI's [Key Performance indicators] for efficient jailing so should be added a KPI for the successful reduction of re-offending rates. The awesome powers of our jailers imaginations would soon create initiatives that would enable our offenders to disrobe themselves of their unfortunate social handicap.

The Government can help themselves and in the long run stop wasting £3billion/pa imprisoning offenders, which currently proves that prison doesnt work.

A punting we will go !

2007-06-19T23:49:00.001+01:00

Sunday was warm, a bit close, but just the right day for a punt.
My good friend John C joined me, and off we jolly well went down towards the University parks with dog and picnic as well.

Sadly my attempt at creating a reasonable picnic was not one of my best. Instead of doing a potato salad amongst other things I had baked some flatbread stuff from Sainsburys which was more akin to a sheet of untreated buffalo skin. John did ask what I thought it was before choosing to decline it. The ducks had some but eventually even they didnt bother to eat it.

Fortunately the Creme d'Alsace redeemed the meal ,it helped to wash down the chicken and cold bangers- Mr Porkinsons best !! [only 'cause they were going cheap] We went on to enjoy a very decent bottle of 1998 Chateau Vieux Moulin, which can be normally found in a little village called Villegouge, north west of Libourne. Marie-Pierre, you and your Pa make a lovely wine.I must get some more off you.

The Romance of the River-a visit to Houghton House

2007-06-19T22:33:00.000+01:00

The blurb for this rather charming Edwardianesque property laboured on about how lovely the setting is and includes odd details of the garden, so when you arrive down a farm drive with one field to your left brown and dead and the other side rough mown grass and a motley lot of farm sheds in front of you with a stuffed Llama looking beast grinning at you one is a tad wary. Have we come to the wrong place? Maybe its not quite that glam'.

Well, that is where the surprises start. You pay your dues into an honesty box, you can help yourself to hot drinks and cakes and pay voluntarily, and off you go around the walled garden, a quaint area with a number of good walkways, pleasantly planted in a romantic English style. One cannot ignore the initial walkway festooned with arches of the gauche crimson flowers of Rose American Pillar shouting out their glory. Well, it is a good year for Roses ! Personally I would have alternated the American Pillar with something a tad softer-perhaps R. Albertine. I mean, American Pillar is a just a bit too boisterous a tone when there is quite as much as down this walk.

Emerging from the walled garden the next vision of excitement off to the right is a nifty little knot garden. It is cunningly located at a level down from the path so as to adequately appreciate the pattern. A most delightful petit amusemant !

A small gate beckons one to a wide sweep of lawns bordered by the slow meandering curves of the River Test. If this isnt quintessential England for a picture.. it is absolutely sublime ! Brief glimpses of distant river plain are caught between stands of mature limes and poplars and then the view opens to the distance as the the river flows away.
The deck on the riverbank is just such a lovely place to sit. One dreams of sipping a glass of champagne, nibbling on smoked salmon sandwiches and eventually letting a book fall on your face as the sun clambers up across the sky and the swans quietly escort their fluffy youngsters upstream.

Leaving this haven of English charm one wasnt so offended by the dead field- it is only a sad reflection of a barmy agricultural policy.

A lovely drop of Gigondas

2007-06-18T21:11:00.001+01:00

I have enjoyed a few bottles lately of this most excellent Gigondas.[see second pic] The flavour is a combination of liquorice, hot sun[is that a reasonable description] a hint of bitumen rather as you'd encounter in Lapsang tea, and a rich grape taste[apologies but I just cannot do these eloquent descriptions the 'experts' seem to conjure up.] Anyway it is a blooming lovely wine -rich, smooth and a royal mouth full of flavour !Yum !

I enjoyed the Bourgogne with my fine chum John Court, a most distinguished gentleman, after a splendid afternoon punting in Oxford. We weren't disappointed with it at all, despite its age. In fact I'd say it was all the better for it. A colour of dark tan shoes well polished and a deep vegetable flavour, not niffy ,rather like a rich veg stew.

The Olympic logo- con or clever

2007-06-13T11:51:00.000+01:00

I'm very impressed that the marketing boys are so clever that they've managed to persuade the johnnies in charge of the UK Olympic organisation to part with £400.000 just to design the logo.
Just imagine what they'd charge for designing the whole site- buildings,landscaping and all that stuff..their bill would be dearer than the development itself.
On the other hand if it is considered to be a fair price maybe the Architects and that gang of worthies are grossly undercharging for their far more arduous task ! Or is it that the organisors are commercially incompetent?

Any answers or thoughts to this most taxing of questions ?!!

Jacobean obesity in the ring

2007-06-13T08:54:00.000+01:00

Chastleton House, pronounced with a char as in charlie, is an extraordinary pile of history, not that I'm big into history !

One accesses the place down a little footpath from the carpark and you catch a glimpse of this tall building screened by trees in a parkland setting.
It is a bit bleak initially- the entrance area is a bit scruffy , the wall on the right hand side in front of the church is being rebuilt and the flower beds need more plants to give a finished look.
You can either go into the building ,a Jacobean castle almost or else, as I did, turn right into the garden area. Well to say its a garden is being quite generous. Ones attention is immediately drawn to a circular Yew hedge accessed through small arches. Inside this circular space is an audience of decidedly obese shaped Box plants. one almost wonders if they are waiting for the gardeners with their shears to shorn them of their corpulence. Judging by the state of the mown grass I would reckon that there is probably a shortage of funds to adequately staff the place- everything had been done in a seemingly rushed manner- too much work for the available time.

Other things of note was a fine Paperbark Maple tree, a slightly ramshackle but pleasant walk down through a veg' patch and around to a Croquet Lawn. What is the big deal about that ? Four greys ,all kitted out in their whites, were having a very chummy game on the lawns. It transpired that Chastleton is the place where the rules for Croquet were established....well fancy that ! You have to hand it to the National Trust for that little touch ! Its just a shame nobody was knocking nine bells out of their opponents ball- it does add spice if you're watching the game !

That was pretty much it for the garden. I think it could do with an injection of about £50.000 to make it a fascinating Jacobean garden- at the moment it is a tidily maintained garden of what is left from years of underplanting. Perhaps we need to lobby the National Trust, as it could be a brilliant marriage with such an intruiging house !

Ooh yes, one last thing, if you do visit the place there is a little group of ladies of the village that sell tea and cakes in the church yard.. dead delicious one might say ! Do eat the sponge cake..the raspberry jam filling is fan-tastic. The choice of teas is a bit extensive..builders or builders ! We also tried the cake with honey and cardamon and other yummy stuff..not bad.

Wet around the petals

2007-06-11T09:34:00.000+01:00

What a wet day it was to visit a sublimely English garden-Mottisfont- nestled by the crystal clear River Test in Hampshire. It is notorious for its collection of Old Roses, both in the garden and on supports as well as all over the interior walls.

Only a handful of other visitors were visiting this famous walled garden which, in a way, was to our advantage. We had greater ease in admiring the flowers, their intoxicating perfume and the overall beauty of the place.

What roses were the most eye catching on this particular visit? The most noticeable, by virtue of its positioning in a central bed was R. Comte de Chambord but a strong second was R. Sultane Favorite,[see pic1] its strong upright growth just bursting with flower buds , the occasional flower just opened. In a few days it will be an explosion of colour !

Near the retail area there was a good clump of the modern shrub R. Graham Thomas, its big deep apricot blooms giving a lovely scent. I can't say that deep apricot is a favourite colour- it's a bit too dusky for me, but if planted with some pale yellow flowers like Sysirinchium striatum and Lysimachia for a bit more gold and deep red of Geum Mrs Bradshaw, all as underplanting, I think the effect could be very good.

Despite the weather my client and friend Mrs J.S picked up some ideas her husband will soon be incorporating into their garden !

If you would enjoy being escorted around a garden either in the UK or France or Italy do get in touch- send me a response. I can always drop the garden design pen and show you some fab places !

A couple of little gems from 1997

2007-05-28T18:57:00.000+01:00

Over the Bank Holiday w/e my sister and I joined with Nathaniel and Nicky Hogeboom for a lot of rip-roaringly amusing conversation and not a little bit of dining, which was accompanied by some of my little treasures.
. I had decanted a couple of bottles of a 1997 Lussac St Emilion, nothing terribly fancy but certainly enough flavour and elegance to render the gathering very pleased with what they were drinking. Dont ask for one of these elaborate descriptions, except to say it was very mellow, long in the mouth, slighly leathery and oaky, but with a respectable mouthful of yum !
For Sunday lunch as we were having a chicken from the local butcher I opened a couple of bottles of a most delightful Volnay 1cru ,also a 1997. It was gorgeous, rather a plum flavour to it. We polished off the lot, or rather I was happy to polish off what was left !

Pure unmitigated magnificence- Vaux le Vicomte

2007-05-21T17:12:00.000+01:00

Everytime I visit this place I am finding new things and soaking up the brilliance of the design. On this visit my client wanted to ride around in one of the buggies to get an overview of the place before deciding to do 'the walk'. It is quite a wheeze trundling around but not the best to really absorb all the place can offer.
The arrival is stunning enough. Driving down an ordinary country lane with plane trees either side the Chateau sits off to the right ,a grand open face of an entrance behind grand gates. It exudes enormous wealth and power.
Circumventing the Chateau [sorry ,endless rooms full of wonderful furniture, floors and art just doesnt quite do it for me in the same way the gardens do] you walk down the right hand side of the Chateau to the vast and extraordinary formal gardens.
Why is it so amazing? Because the eye takes in the view leading off in the distance to an enormous statue and as one walks though the various levels of the garden,some with elaborately patterned box in brick and black coloured aggregate, some with formal areas of water, some with statue-edged lawns you encounter various other views running a cross the principal line of site. The penultimate surprise is at the lwoest level where you quite suddenly find yourself blocked by a most awesome canal. Well, nothing for it and I'm sure one needs the exercise- lets get on and walk around the whole thing. Some 2000 metres or so. Wow, it is so worthwhile ! I wont say any more ..just do find the opportunity to visit this place. it is fantastic. Check out my website for an accompanied trip to it at oxfordbotanica dot com.

A Monastery and Manor

2007-05-21T16:41:00.000+01:00

Huge wide expanses of water, lakes for fish and others for ornament, this garden is a passage through time. The first impression of Villarceaux is curiosity and anticipation as one walks down a drive flanked by young twin-rowed Hornbeam focusing your attention on the ornate gates. What can you see through them ? A rather municipal looking group of medieval farm buildings.

The guided tour leads you through these buildings to the edge of a most stunning floating parterre garden. As one walks round it from an advantageous height, the whole scale of the garden along with the grand pond , pleached Lime walks and other amusements exudes an air of calm and charm !

Beyond on the far right the landscaped is overlooked by a grand Chateau to which one walks up a series of grass stages. Walking around to the front of the building one notices allees are cut through the wooded surround to the grass lawns.

I really enjoyed this garden- it is more a study in green with great power lent by the large expanses of water-it is all so spacious and understated.

A Chateau garden near Paris

2007-05-21T12:52:00.000+01:00

The long pleached-Lime avenue frames the view of the Chateau and enhances the anticipation of what one will discover.

The front lawns are embraced by tall hedges fronted with splendid Clipped Yews in tall pyramid shapes interspersed with classic urns on pedestals, the central drive edged with huge cones of Box. Nearer the Chateau the front grass beds are edged in a lovely criss-cross box pattern[see pic]..most elegant.

Moving to the rear one is enchanted by a huge mirror effect of water within formal lawns,detailed with domes of box and tall pyramids of Yew interspersed with statues. This leads on to another level the other following through to the distant view of wooded hills, the site line cut through existing woodland. A walled garden to the side of the property has been embellished with a maze ,walkways of rambling roses over wide arches and romantic plantings, not to mention a rather ancient but quite tempting [particularly on a hot day] swimming pool.

I particularly like this place : it is both grand but very comfortable: one is led on to new sites and intrigues but in a relaxed manner.

My client Mrs LR was totally in awe of this place and on many occasions was off exploring new areas, discovering exciting developments and plantings. She was glad we couldn't get access to the Chateau we should have visited- it wasn't open until the afternoon.

A visit to Giverny

2007-05-21T12:15:00.000+01:00

Last week I was taking a client around various Gardens on the outskirts of Paris. We had initially planned to see Domaine de Villarceaux but on arrrival found it closed ! It turned out they had had a bad storm the day before so where doing some safety tree surgery. Not to be put off we went on to Giverny.
Fortunately the gardens weren't too busy ! As one enters this little paradise of colour one is directed towards the lovely pink 'maison' with its rich green shutters fronted with bold borders of Standard roses and geraniums. From there the view is of the multiplicity of narrow beds running parallel with a wide central path, all edged in a fantastic selection of Iris germanica's. The first photo should capture a view famous from one of Claude Monet's pictures.
After meandering through Iris alleyways it is on to the lake ,through a tunnel under the village road . The atmosphere in this area is very tranquil , I'm sure made so by the expanse of water. It isn't such a riot of colour as the Iris borders . The Wisteria blossom on the main bridge hangs over your head, the faint wiff of perfume causing one to linger and enjoy both fragrance and view across the lake.
A word of advice when you get to visit this place... get here very early in the day or late afternoon- you will avoid the crowds and enjoy the place so much more.

Chateau bauduc & Chateau de Beaulieu

2007-05-14T15:14:00.000+01:00

I drank the bauduc with some friends on Saturday just gone...lots of fruit that is starting to soften and develop personality..lovely stuff.I bought a job lot of their white last spring[I think it was a 1992] wow !although on first tasting it was completely locked up ,after a day on the side board it was quite wonderful. These guys are a good lot ..I liken them as the Johnie Bodens of their region.
The Chateau de Beaulieu is, for my money, a real find..lovely length,complexity, fullness mmm yum yum. The label is a bit mank..the mice have been chomping on the paper..baarstuds. I had this bottle yesterday with some lovely roast beef cooked by the eminent John Court- a distinguished friend and film director !

Beautiful formal garden

2007-05-14T15:06:00.000+01:00

I passed this place on the way back from visiting a quarry beyond Gloucester
what a fine bit of water in a formal garden setting. If anyone wants an accompanied visit to see it let me know through my business website www. oxfordbotanica.com

Welcome to La Grande Journée

2007-04-18T22:27:00.000+01:00

This evening, my friend Mark Kinsgton and I drank a bottle of 1996 Ch9DP from Domaine Durieu. It had a subtle curry like warmth and flavours of the Provence. It was long, smooth and hauntingly delicious.

Check back soon for more recommendations of the good life!