Taking the rough with the smooth

Derek writes “As gardeners we have to work outside in all weathers, good & bad. My theory from record keeping and anecdotal observations is that it only rains for less than 10% of our working days. Wednesday was damp but no so wet. We were tasked with cutting down & digging out brambles which had … [Read more…]

Scented winter shrubs

Derek writes: At the School’s gardening Club we have been talking about winter flowering shrubs. These include, Winter sweet, Daphne and winter flowering Honeysuckle ( Lonicera fragrantissima ).Today, Saturday I read an article in this month’s RHS magazine about how winter flowering shrubs had inspired a prospective young gardener. The shrub in question was Edgeworthia … [Read more…]

Bell Ringers’ Day Out at St Paul’s

Derek writes: Bell ringers from West Hoathly, Ardingly and neighbouring towers went on an outing to St. Paul’s Cathedral yesterday. Many of you will know David Perkins who grew up in West Hoathly and was taught to Bell ring by Rachel Edwards (W H Tower Captain) when she was teaching at West Hoathly CoE Primary … [Read more…]

January skies

Derek writes: This evening Wednesday 10th January, all of a sudden a lovely sunset appeared. We grasped the moment and stood in awe ( thank you Gary Coxall for the photographs ), likewise the stars have been quite magical this evening.

Autumn tones

Derek writes: Look out for those special Autumn moments when the stunning colours of fading summer meet the vivid clear skies and light of incoming winter, like the sky on Saturday and the moon likewise. How about these pictures taken by Gary Coxall at Courtlands last Thursday of a Ginkgo tree. You have to capture … [Read more…]