BRIDGWATER and District U3A
Garden Group Meetings:  Second Thursday of each month Group Leader :  Sue Telephone: 01278 421123
General Information Our Garden Group meets on the second Thursday of each month During the summer months we visit gardens of interest, sometimes by coach if the gardens are any distance from Bridgwater, otherwise we travel by cars to those nearer home. Times of departure will vary depending on distances to be travelled. In the winter, the meeting times are from 2.15 pm to 4.00 pm. We invite speakers to talk on a wide range of horticultural subjects. We meet at Woolavington Village Hall which can accommodate our growing numbers as well as providing extensive car parking facilities.
THE GARDEN GROUP 2018 Summer Programme 12th April 2018 – Antony House near Plymouth A   National   Trust   property   with   tickets   allowing   free   access   to   the   Antony   Woodland   Garden   next   door.      Recommended by Jeremy Wilson who came to give a talk about Camellias in October.  Coach   leaves   Morrisons/B&M   layby   at   9.00am   (we   will   have   a   comfort   break   on   the   way   down)   and   leaves   Antony House at 5.00pm Cost:  NT members £10, Non-members £19.30 10th May 2018 – Bristol Botanic Garden & Tormarton Court This   garden   is   laid   out   as   a   history   of   plant   evolution   and   is   interesting   as   well   as   beautiful.      We   have   a   guided   tour (split   into   groups)   which   really   helps   to   make   sense   of   it.      There   will   be   time   to   get   some   lunch   (or   have   a   picnic)   and look   round   on   your   own   before   we   move   on   to   Tormarton   Court.      This   is   a   private   garden   which   opens   for   the   NGS.      It is about 30minutes away and has 11 acres of formal and natural garden in a stunning Cotswold setting. Coach leaves Morrisons/B&M layby at 9.00am Cost:      Coach   and   Botanic   Garden   £16            Tormarton   Court   –   £5   entry,   £2   tea/coffee   and   cake.      I   will   collect   this   part   of the payment on the coach.  Please try to have the correct money. 14th June 2018 – Holt Farm Organic garden, Blagdon I   love   this   garden   and   am   sorry   to   miss   this.      It   has   everything   –   meadow,   veg   garden,   spring   woodland   area,   gravel garden, grasses and much more all with a lovely view of Blagdon Lake and superb cake.  Bliss! This is a car share trip.  Holt Farm is about 25 miles (50mins) away using the M5 and A38.  The post code is BS40 7SQ. Meet there at 2.00pm.  Cost: £5 pay on the day. June Irvine has kindly offered to collect the money at the venue.  Refreshments available. 12th July 2018 – Avebury Manor (Nat. Trust) & Duck Pond Barn The   medieval   walls   surround   a   series   of   garden   rooms   containing   raised   walks,   flower   gardens,   rose   garden,   orchard, topiary   and   kitchen   garden.      The   house   is   open   and   there   is   a   separate   museum   nearby   so   something   to   see   if   it   rains and of course the stone circle is next to the house.  There is a tea room but also a pub just along the road.  We   will   leave   here   at   2.30pm   and   visit   Duck   Pond   Barn,   near   Trowbridge,   on   the   way   home.      This   is   a   private   garden that   opens   for   the   NGS.      There   are   ericaceous   beds,   orchard,   veg,   large   greenhouse,   spinney,   dry   stone   wall   topped with flower beds, rose arbour and in the flower garden there are three ponds linked by a rill.  The coach leaves Morrisons/B&M layby at 9.00am. Cost:      Coach   and   Avebury   Manor   –   NT   members   £11,   non-members   £20.80.      I   will   collect   the   payment   for   Duck   Pond Barn on the coach - £4 – please try to have the correct change.  ‘Teas’ are available there for £3 9th August 2018 – Vellacott, Lawford, Crowcombe This   is   a   private   garden   on   a   south   facing   slope.      Herbaceous   perennials,   shrubs,   trees,   grasses,   potager,   folly,   restored shepherd’s hut.  Lots of place to sit and enjoy the view. Car share trip.  It is about 30mins from Bridgwater.  Directions nearer the time. Cost: tbc last year it was £3.  Refreshments extra 13th September 2018 – Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens. Wooded   valley   and   formal   gardens   overflowing   with   tropical   colour.      Hydrangea   walk.      According   to   the   ’Gardens   to visit’   website   ‘the   beautiful   gardens   are   well   laid   out   with   easy   to   follow   routes.   There   is   a   secret   walk,   summer   house and sculpture trail.  Lots of little bridges over waterways but no steep slopes and minimal gravel’ Coach leaves Morrisons/B&M layby at 9.00am Cost:  Coach & entrance £21.50.  GW card holders £13.00, please let me know who you are sharing the card with. I look forward to seeing lots of you at these venues.  If you have any queries please ring me and I will try to help. Everyone welcome Sue, Garden Group Organiser, Tel. 01278 421123
Note:  In all cases before joining a group for the first time please telephone the group leader.