Feeling Festive
Welcome to our winter newsletter.
As the year draws to an end, we’ve been reflecting on all that has been achieved in 2023. Unusually for an arboretum, we witnessed a big and instant (comparative to planting trees) transformation, in the form of the Tearoom garden. As mentioned in our last newsletter, early in 2023 we set to work re-landscaping the refreshments area. It has been a treat to watch it establish and flourish over the summer months, and whilst the change is significant you may notice a few little nods to the main garden within the planting, like the Acanthus Mollis that we relocated from a spot in the woodland garden where it wasn’t growing well. It is now thriving along with the other new additions; grasses, hydrangeas, salvias and one of our very own birch trees too. Similarly the Cotoneaster and Philadelphus, which were already established shrubs, have remained in place.
Last but not least, a special mention must go out to all of our volunteers, who are invaluable to the work carried out here at the gardens. Our Trustees have a great responsibility for the strategic running of the organisation, and we have welcomed new faces to the board this year. In addition we have been very fortunate to have several new garden and tea room volunteers join us. All bring a fresh injection of energy to the team. As always they are well looked after and welcomed by our two longest-standing volunteers (of 15 years!) Janet and Barry, who always come armed with an abundance of enthusiasm and ideas, as well as, perhaps most importantly – cakes. 
