Recent Events 2018
Outing to Trematon Castle Gardens
Friday 31st August 2018
On 31st August 20 members visited Trematon Castle Gardens on a sunny afternoon. Trematon is a perfect miniature motte and bailey castle. Edward the Black Prince once stayed in the gatehouse; Drake stored his gold in the Norman keep.
The present gardens are the work of designers Julian and Isabel Bannerman. The gardens were a little past their summer best but there was still plenty of colour in some of the almost subtropical planting and excellent views of the River Lynher and Tamar. Some members climbed up to the Norman keep on the castle mound inside which hens are now kept! There were colourfully painted seats and objects. Many enjoyed tea at the gardens.
See photos from Trematon Castle Gardens
Outing to Tremenheere Sculpture Garden and Trengwainton Garden
Thursday 24th May 2018
Twenty three members and friends set off from Dousland and Yelverton for two gardens near Penzance – Tremenheere Sculpture Garden and Trengwainton (National Trust) on 24th May. Good journeys each way meant that the planned timing worked well. An early adventure had been the coach needing to navigate Meavy Lane due to a road closure! The beautiful May-time hedgerow flowers were in abundance on our journey.
Tremenheere had been in the same family for 600 years. The last member of the family, Seymour Tremenheere had planted much of the mature woodland of oak, holly and sweet chestnut, which together with a south facing valley landscape gave the garden a very favoured site with views of St Michael`s Mount, although the view was rather misty on the day of our visit.
The present owner Dr. Neil Armstrong, a GP, acquired the core valley in1989 and other fields were later added. One arrives at a very delightful open area with Tremenheere Kitchen where refreshments were bought sitting inside or out. There was also a shop, plants sales area and a very new Art Gallery. The garden is reached by a footpath of two hundred yards, which gives no hint of what lies ahead and then the garden opens up in a wide, partly open landscape, partly wooded and sculpted by paths. There is a mixture of planting - sub-tropical, bog, pond, rhododendrons and rare conifers. The snow in Cornwall had had its effects. Sculptures of a great variety were sited throughout the garden.
A 15 minute drive took us on to Trengwainton - a streamside garden following the drive to Trengwainton House which is private. Candelabra primulas and rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas en masse and then a terrace after crossing the lower lawn of the house again with a view of St. Michael`s Mount and the sea. Walled gardens at the lower end; a vegetable garden in the style of Noah’s Ark with also flowers for cutting and a Handkerchief Tree in bloom. Members picnicked and some enjoyed the Tea room there. Thanks to Kevin our driver from Holman`s Coaches we had an excellent journey home.
Some of the members take a photo break at Trengwainton before getting on the coach for the journey home.
Events from previous years