I went to the Cheshire NGS meeting today – 100 people all with wonderful gardens to show off this year and with a target of £100,000 to raise for charity. I’m seriously impressed with the organisation – a credit to Nick Payne, the regional co-ordinator. I came away with a goody bag of posters, signs, balloons, stickers and flyers. The pressure will be on to be ready in time for the 28th April. But not only are we open twice for NGS and open to the public for most of the year in between, Bluebell Cottage is listed as one of 22 Cheshire ‘Gardens of Distinction’ alongside the likes of Arley Hall and Lyme Park in a very stylish leaflet which goes to tourist outlets throughout Cheshire.

In today’s near storm force winds which drove hailstones the size of frozen peas across the winter-worn lawn, this is a standard which is very difficult to imagine. But I found some pictures of the garden from last summer and it does look spectacular. If we can get it to look something like this I will be very happy indeed.


March 18, 2007