News Update

Dear Friends

I am sure that those who visited the gardens last year will again have been delighted with the continued development. Again my thanks go to Janet and David Harley, Rosaleen Wilkinson and Matthew Hunt, the school's Estate Manager, who all continue to work tirelessly.

Open Days  

As reported in my recent letter to all members, the open days for this year are detailed below. It is hoped that the weather will be kinder this year!

Sunday, 10th September 2.00pm to 5.00pm

This is Heritage Day and the house will be open for guided tours.

Sunday, 18th March from 2.00pm to 4.00pm .

It is hoped that the daffodils will out but please come along anyway and enjoy a cup of tea and piece of cake! There will be an opportunity to renew your membership in person rather than by post.

Monday, 7th May (Bank Holiday) from 2.00pm to 5.00pm .

May sees the trees in blossom and there will be musical entertainment.

Sunday, 8th July from 2.00pm to 5.00pm

Meridian Winds will again be playing for us.

Sunday, 9th September 2.00pm to 5.00pm

This is Heritage Day and the house will again be open for guided tours.

Committee

If anyone would like to get more involved they would be very welcome, please contact any member of the committee.

The current members of the committee are as follows:

Vince Davies                                023 8047 2133

Chairman (School Bursar)   

Peter Wilkinson                            023 8078 1012

Treasurer              

Janet & David Harley                     023 8055 9949

Co-ordinators of the Italian Garden

Rosaleen Wilkinson                       023 8078 1012

Co-ordinator of the Herbaceous Borders and Historian   

Peter Clifford                                 023 8044 8416

Committee Member             

Matthew Hunt                                023 8047 2133

Estate Manager

Web Site

We are currently reorganising the site and will be adding new pictures, so please take a look.

Italian Garden and Pond

(by Janet and David Harley)

We have worked in the Gardens on 21 occasions and we are, in the main, happy with what we have achieved.

As with any garden the work is never finished and there are always areas for improvement or change. We believe the garden, though at its best in mid-summer, does look good throughout the year: this has been achieved by the planting of grasses and ferns. The yucca were particularly spectacular this year replicating the columns of the pergola. There are a few spaces where the plants have passed their 'sell-by-date' and these spaces we intend to fill with lavender, hebe and thyme. Areas under the yew hedges still require serious work.

We are grateful and pleased by the work done by Paul Hunt who has been repairing the dry stone walls. A big thank-you must go to Matt for his continuing support and help. Without his work of grass cutting, trimming edges and hedges our own work would not look so good.

Herbaceous Borders Report

(by Rosaleen Wilkinson)

During the autumn months, Matthew and I managed to tidy and trim all the herbaceous borders, both the long parallel ones leading down the garden, and the area beneath the terrace, so we are ready for the Spring.

Last year I was quite pleased with the borders, although I can see that I haven't always made the best choice of plants, and some will need to be replaced. However, the weeds are almost under control beneath a mulch of bark chippings, which is good news.

As usual the deer created problems. Bright yellow Coreopsis, which flowered all season long in the Sunk Garden , seemed ideal for the front of a border. Unfortunately, the deer took a fancy to it in this different position and nipped off all the flower heads before they had a chance to bloom. The swathes of white, red and gold Gladioli, planted for late summer colour, failed to materialise because some unwelcome visitor picked them!

I have some new plantings in mind for this year- Hemerocallis, or "day- lilies" instead of the red hot pokers which just don't thrive, white Malva in the pale areas of the border, (the deer don't eat the pink version, so I might be lucky) and some nice big Achillea instead of those six- inch tall specimens I inadvertently put in last year.

It was lovely to see so many people at our Open Days again, despite disappointing weather on each occasion. It certainly makes our efforts worthwhile when so many appreciative visitors enjoy the gardens.

Herb Garden Report  

There has been a long-standing, huge problem with the horse-tail weed. Continuous spraying over the last 3 years has reduced the vigour of the weed. There is now a thick layer of bark chippings and a 'wait and see' policy is in place. The lime trees have been pollarded to allow more light into the herb garden. Other trees need to be replaced because their growth has been stunted by the presence of the lime trees. More interesting replacements to replicate the arboretum are planned.

The grass in the centre is heavily infected and will probably need to be taken up. The yew hedges within the herb garden have been eaten by deer so alternatives are being considered.

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Rose Garden

Beds have been cleared in preparation for lawn laying. It is hoped to have some structural planting by the hedges. The wisteria has been pruned and new wires are in place. Other climbers are required to replace the roses. Worn paths across the grass need to be replaced by hard material with seating to be included.

Sundial Garden  

Beds need flowering shrubs for summer display. A lot of work is required in this area, including the pruning the laurels and more work on the trellis. The school is looking to use this garden as a seating and picnic area.

Pond

The drainage pipe from the pond is blocked (or broken). This means the fountain cannot now be used on Open Days. It has been suggested that a solar-powered one be used. The brick path around the pond is damaged and when this is replaced or repaired it would be the time to consider a new pipe.

Other Areas of the Gardens

In the open areas either side of the sunken garden, there were cherry trees but only one out of the original six is alive. Permission has been received to remove the dead trees and we will look to re-stock these areas with rare specimen trees. The arboretum needs clearing before rare azaleas and rhododendrons from Marlhill Copse (originally part of the Townhill Estate) can be moved here.

Membership

To renew your membership of the Friends of Townhill Park House Gardens for 2006, please download and complete the booking form. Membership is £5.00 for single membership, or £7.50 for family membership.  

Other News

Rosaleen Wilkinson has recently published a book about the fascinating history of Townhill Park House and its gardens. The book brings to life the world of the grand country estate through the eye-witness accounts of members of Lord Swaythling's family, their servants and gardeners, and the people who have lived and worked at Townhill up to the present day. It is a "must" for Gertrude Jekyll enthusiasts. The book, price £12, is available at Open Days, from the Gregg School, Bitterne History Society shop, or by post - Tel 023 8078 1012

We were most grateful to receive generous donations of £800 from Hampshire Gardens Trust and £100 from West End Parish Council towards the restoration of the dry-stone walling around the Sunk Garden .

It has been necessary to erect a barrier across the school entrance preventing cars from entering the school grounds. Friends of The Gardens are still very welcome to visit any time outside of school hours, but will unfortunately need to either park outside or contact me so that I can arrange to cut a duplicate key at a cost of £3.50.

Finally a big thank you goes to Sue Field, The Gregg School Catering Manager, who continues to make and serve her wonderful tea and cake at our open days.

Vince Davies

(Chairman)