10 things kids can (still) do without an iPad
Category: Wildlife and Nature
‘
Today it rained; across the evening sky
Grey, ragged ranks of cloud now slowly pass
After the rain away, and out to sea.
Where near the old wood; from a dripping tree
Leaves, damp and yellow, fall upon the grass,
As startled pigeons from their cover fly.
A pheasant calls; gnats dance by ivy blooms;
Among the bracken blood-red brambles run.
The daylight fades, and in the scattered homes
The little windows light up one by one.
In cottage gardens now the beacons glow
Of white Chrysanthemums, defying night;
Pale, cold, the moon glides slowly into sight,
And trees across the fields faint shadows throw.’
‘October Evening’ by Jack Kett
from ‘A Late Lark Singing’ (Minerva Press 1997)
Old School Gardener
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A major new feature length documentary film Project Wild Thing has been launched today and will be showing at Picturehouse and independent cinemas across the country. This inspirational film, directed by and starring David Bond (Erasing David) and produced by Ashley Jones (Green Lions), takes a witty, touching and frank look at the complex issue of why our kids have lost touch with nature, why they don’t have their independence outdoors and what happened to playing out…
The film is backed by the Wild Network, founded by a diverse group who are dedicated to working together to get children back in touch with nature and outdoor play. Founding members of the network include: Play England, Play Scotland, Play Wales, National Trust, RSPB, NHS Sustainable Development Unit, AMV BBDO, Green Lions and Swarm.
“Funny, alarming and uplifting, this film will change your…
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Technology has an ever greater role in children’s lives, and its effects are the focus of ever more heated debate. It is easy for advocates of nature, outdoor play and everyday childhood freedoms to think that screens and gadgets are our enemy. But the truth is that things are a little more complicated than that.
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Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk. image via RSPB
One of the sloping beds
My previous article on Trengwainton covered the wider gardens and grounds as well as some historical background. Today I want to focus on the extensive walled gardens, built by previous owner, Rose Price. This is said to follow the dimensions of Noah’s Ark- though why, I’m not sure.
It also seems to have been created as a response to the period of persistently cooler weather known as the ‘Maunder Minimum’ (or otherwise known as the ‘prolonged sunspot minimum’). This period- starting in about 1645 and continuing to about 1715 – was when sunspots became exceedingly rare. The term was named after the 19th Century solar astronomer Edward D. Maunder who studied how sunspot latitudes changed with time. The Maunder Minimum coincided with the middle—and coldest part—of the ‘Little Ice Age’, during which Europe and North America were subjected to bitterly cold winters. recent research has established a causal link between low sunspot activity and cold winters.
The surrounding garden wall prevented warm air from escaping from the garden on cool nights, thereby allowing frost-sensitive fruit trees to survive, despite the cooling climate. The walled garden is also interesting for its use of sloping beds – orientated to take advantage of the sunny aspect and so aiding the warming of the soil and creating beneficial growing conditions.
Another sloping bed subject to weed control 
A grassed over sloping bed 
Veg protected by Puss in boots… 
Raised beds 
Container display 
Califorinian Poppies- a possible addition to the new front border 
Home made Comfrey Feed 
The cunning device 
2nd World War demonstration plot 
Pigeon scarer
Another sloping bed subject to weed control
A grassed over sloping bed
Veg protected by Puss in boots…
Raised beds
Container display
Califorinian Poppies- a possible addition to the new front border
Home made Comfrey Feed
The cunning device
2nd World War demonstration plot
Pigeon scarer
The gardens – there are separate walled enclosures rather than one large expanse – are both a fascinating horticultural legacy and also a modern-day guide to good food and flower growing. There are demonstration plots and little corners showing different sorts of container growing, raised beds, nectar – rich flowers, a DIY device for creating liquid plant food etc. A wide range of food is still grown here as well as beautiful ‘cottage garden’ style flower borders, orchards and a demonstration plot conjuring up the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign of the second World War. And while we were there the Gardens sported a delightful display of home-made ‘fairytale’ characters which amused and enchanted the young children who were eager to discover the next character on their way round!
Related article: West Country Gardens: Hydrangea Heaven at Trengwainton
Thanks for the memories- Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse Gardens
‘Thordis Fridriksson visits the garden at the former Gressenhall workhouse, and finds the clock turned back both to the 1930s – and her own childhood….’
A lovely artilcle describing the gardens where I am a volunteer gardener.
Related articles:
From Paupers to Pippins – Orchard’s Secret History at Norfolk Museum
Down on the Farm – Gardens to ‘dye’ for at Norfolk Museum…
From Grand entrance to Grand Central at Norfolk Museum
Gypsies, tramps and thieves: garden where poor once trod at Norfolk Museum
Cottage Garden recreates 1930’s at Norfolk Museum
Old Workhouse Garden a wildlife oasis at Norfolk Museum
Unique Heritage Gardens at Norfolk Museum
Old School Gardener
The Mediterranean Biome comprises of plants from the Mediterranean Basin, South Africa, California, a Citrus Grove, a Vineyard. The sweet aromas of herbs and citrus plants hang in the air
You can stop off at the Eden Bakery on your way through to the Rain-forest
Biome.
The Rain-forest Biome comprises of lush Tropical island, West African and Tropical South American plants
A bit about the Biomes…
You could fit the Tower of London in the Rain-forest Biome. The Guinness Book of Records heralds the Biomes as the biggest conservatories in the world. Building these ‘lean-to greenhouses’ on an uneven surface that changed shape was tricky: ‘bubbles’ were used because they can settle on any shaped surface – the architect got the idea while washing up!
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