Win Big in the Gardeners World Prize Draw

You could be in with the chance to win big in the Gardeners World prize draw with a selection of prizes on offer.  Please take a look below at the prizes on offer and then click on the link at the bottom to enter.
Winners will be notified by the 30th August 2012 by telephone or email.

1st Prize - Farncombe Estate Course

Farncombe Estate is offering a fantastic prize where you can enjoy a short course like the 'Glorious Cotswold Gardens' course or one of the many other courses available at the short course study centre in the Cotswolds.  The prize is valid for 12 months so you can take your pick out of a variety of courses held throughout the year.

Please click here to find out more about Farncombe Estate

To enter the competition please follow this link

Sudeley Castle Gardens Open

NGS Open Day

15th October 2010

The castle gardens will be open in support of the National Garden Scheme.

Take a look - featured items 2010

From painting courses and willow sculpture to gardening and cookery courses, find out more by visiting our website Spotlight on ...

1001 Garden Questions Answered

Tutor Andrew Mikolajski is just about to release his latest book “1001 Garden Questions Answered”.

This easy-to-read gardening companion will help to demystify some of the many common problems gardeners face, offering explanations and solutions that are easy to put into practice. From general quieries that require large-scale planning, such as how to decide where to site a patio, to specific queries, for example, about how to prune a clematis, this handy volume offers invaluable guidance and suggestions for successul gardening. Each chapter looks at a different aspect of gardening, so finding solutions to particular problems will be straightword. All terminology is clearly explained, so whether your question is general or specific, this comprehensive volume will help you to find a solution.

Andrew edited the RHS Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers and the RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening (both Dorling Kindersley). His other published works include The Practical Encyclopedia of Garden Pests and Diseases, Garden Plants and Gardening Techniques (both Lorenz books), The Busy Gardener's Guide (Time Life), and Conifers, Small Trees and Heathers and in the New Plant Library series (Southwater). Andrew tutors a series of gardening courses at Farncombe Estate and will be giving gardening demonstrations and answering questions at Farncombe’s Open Day on Sunday 12 September 2010.

You can pre-order Andrew's book here .

Einstein's Garden at the Green Man Festival - call for Inspiring Talks

Einstein’s Garden is a creative fusion of science, art and nature. Engaging with ideas, knowledge and opinion this area of the Green Man Festival offers a patchwork of perspectives about the universe we inhabit and our place within it. The name ‘Einstein’ is associated with originality, creativity and quirkiness and it is these qualities that Einstein’s Garden embodies. The area’s venues are packed with a vibrant programme of events that use art, entertainment, participation and debate to engage people with the diverse aspects of science and nature in fun, quirky and unexpected ways. This year the key theme for Einstein’s Garden is ‘grassroots ideas’ so we are inviting a wide range of contributors from scientists, artists and designers to craftspeople, activists and entrepreneurs to share their ideas, as well as giving festival goers the opportunity to make their own contributions and have their voice heard.

Einstein Talks is a new project for Einstein’s Garden this year. Inspired by TED, Pecha Kucha and Ignite, Einstein Talks will be a high energy event consisting of 5 minute talks by people who have an idea. Fun, thought provoking and inspiring, Einstein Talks will be a forum for sharing knowledge, passion and creativity.

Einstein Talks will be made up of contributions from scientists, artists, designers, engineers, activists and entrepreneurs…anyone with an idea to share.

The format of presentations will be 20 slides that change automatically after 15 seconds, giving a total talk time of 5 minutes

We are asking for anyone who is interested in sharing their idea at Einstein Talks to send us a 200 word proposal and a 20 slide PowerPoint or Keynote presentation.

Shortlisted speakers will receive a ticket for the Green Man Festival (worth £120) but expenses will not be covered.

Please send proposals to ellen@thegreenmanfestival.co.uk
Deadline for proposals – Monday 21st June. Only successful applicants will be notified.

For information about the Green Man Festival see http://www.greenman.net

Don't miss your chance to be Gloucestershire's Vibrant Village!

Gloucestershire Rural Community Council recently launched Gloucestershire Vibrant Village of the Year 2010 with entry forms and letters sent out to all rural parishes in the county. This competition is an opportunity for villages to showcase the important and innovative work they do and GRCC is looking for communities that are balanced, proactive, caring and, irrespective of size, making the best of local opportunities to sustain or enhance the quality of life for all their residents. The competition is open to villages with a parish council or parish meeting and a total population of less than 3,500. Parishes will be judged on four categories: Best Community Facility, Best Community Project/Initiative, Most Resilient Community and Healthy & Active Community and the deadline for return is Tuesday 4th May 2010.

After the judging visits have taken place in May and June, entrants will be invited to the awards ceremony at the beautiful Rococo Gardens in Painswick, Stroud on 15th July 2010, where the achievements of those who have taken part will be celebrated and the winners announced. A cheque for £500 together with a framed commemorative certificate will be awarded to the overall winner as well as to each of the individual category winners. Runners up will each receive a cheque for £100 and other awards may be presented at the judges' discretion. All entries will also be entered into the Grand Prize Draw with the chance to win a gift voucher kindly donated by B&Q in Gloucester.

We are fortunate this year to be able to enjoy the continued additional sponsorship of NHS Gloucestershire, together with Gloucestershire's Safer and Stronger Communities Partnership and are also pleased to welcome a new sponsor, The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire.

GRCC's Chief Executive, Lesley Archer said, "We are hoping that this year, communities who may not have entered in the past, make the most of the shorter, simplified form and tell us about the great things they are doing for their community." She added, "We are also thrilled to welcome the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire as new sponsors."

For more information on the competition or to obtain an entry form and a copy of the insights document giving hints and tips from previous winners, please contact Naomi McMahon at GRCC on 01452 528491 or follow the link.

Free gardening advice online with Farncombe tutor Andrew Mikolajski

How green does your garden grow?! A great chance to post some gardening questions to an expert. Throughout the month of February, author and Farncombe tutor Andrew will be hosting a gardening forum on our Facebook page - Gardening advice online with Farncombe tutor Andrew Mikolajski

Last chance to help shape the landscape of the London 2012 Olympics

Last chance to help shape the landscape of the London 2012 Olympics

On 31 July 2009, the RHS Olympic Park Great British Garden Competition will close to entries, meaning that if you want to win the chance of designing a garden for the London 2012 Olympics, you only have a few weeks to enter.

London 2012 has joined forces with the RHS to offer two budding gardeners the opportunity to help design a garden that will sit within the new Olympic Park in east London.

This garden will be a chance to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, our heritage as a nation of gardeners and the unique qualities found in Britain’s domestic gardens. We are looking for two winners, a young person (age 16 and under) and an adult, to help create a space that makes visitors to the park feel like they are wandering through someone’s garden.
The modern Olympic movement was founded by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894, after he was inspired by a visit to the Much Wenlock Olympic Society in Shropshire. To commemorate the Olympic link to the British Isles, we would like you to explore the possibility of incorporating a Pierre de Coubertin oak tree into your design idea.

This competition is open to everyone except professional garden designers. All we ask is that people either draw, paint, computer design or create a collage design idea for their garden on an A4 sheet of paper, and accompany it with a short explanatory note. The garden will measure a quarter of an acre (about a quarter of a football pitch) in size.

Read a copy of the terms and conditions or download an application form.

Top tips to think about when designing a garden

• Firstly, think of the Big Idea. What is the overall idea for your garden? Is it to celebrate a sense of national identity and diversity, the Olympic and Paralympic values or something else?
• Secondly, decide what the purpose of the garden should be. How should the garden be used? A space for relaxation, child play or a place to excite the senses?
• Thirdly, what is the style of your garden? Do you draw your references from pop culture or traditional garden designers? Is there a colour theme you would like to draw on?
• Fourthly, what plants and features do you want to include? How will you use the garden to showcase British plants? Do you want to include a water feature or commemorative tree in your design idea? Could you use recycled materials for your features?

The entries will be judged on the following criteria

A design idea that:

• Demonstrates the unique qualities of Britain’s domestic gardens
• Is forward looking and celebrates the UK’s favourite pastime of gardening
• Will leave a legacy for future generations to enjoy
• Celebrates the Olympic and Paralympic Values and the Much Wenlock Olympian Society, in particular exploring opportunities to include one or more Pierre de Coubertin oak trees in the design idea.

The closing date for the competition is 31 July 2009. Six finalists will be shortlisted by a panel of judges and then put forward for a public vote on the RHS website in September 2009. Winner will be notified in October 2009.

Read a copy of the terms and conditions or download an application form.

Botanical Artists demonstration

11am – 1pm Saturday 4th July 2009 - Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery

To accompany their exhibition in the Yellow Gallery, Mercia Botanical Artists’ Society are holding a demonstration of their painting and drawing methods which is open to all of Nuneaton Museum’s visitors.

Gian D’Brionne-Edwardes will be showing her botanical drawing techniques developed over twenty years. Gian, who also teaches Botanical Art will also be answering questions for those interested in developing their technique.

Bet Gadsby is a student of the Society of Botanical Artists in London and a keen gardener. Bet will present her detailed Botanic Art works whilst demonstrating her skillls in drawing and painting with watercolours.

Mercia Botanical Artists’ Society are also keen to encourage new members and the demonstration will provide an excellent opportunity to find out more.

Come and see this FREE demonstration of both artists’ work at Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery. For more details email museum@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk.

Sudeley wins top garden award

Sudeley Castle's gardens have been voted as one of the top 5 favourite gardens to visit in the South West by Gardeners' World fans. The gardening team are delighted with the accolade and it has spurred on their preparations for this year's Rose Week at the beginning of June.

Over 6,000 Gardeners' World magazine readers and gardenersworld.com web users voted for their favourite gardens to visit from each UK region. The winners in each of the eight regions received the accolade of 'The Readers' Choice Rosette' and Sudeley was voted into the top 5 destinations in the South West, with the nationally acclaimed Eden Project coming number one in the region.

Sudeley's magnificent gardens are celebrated annually during Rose Week, which this year takes place from Monday 8th to Sunday 14th June. Daily Garden Tours are on offer all week at 11.00am and 2.00pm. From Monday to Wednesday you can meet the Sudeley gardeners and find out more about the principles used at Sudeley. From Thursday to Sunday visitors can take an Historic Garden Tour which encompasses the fascinating history of the Castle and the development of the gardens throughout the centuries.

Find out more about Sudeley's glorious gardens and Rose Week at http://www.blogger.com/www.sudeleycastle.co.uk or call 01242 604244.

Mini Marvels in Floristry - Day course at Farncombe Estate

Mini Marvels in Floristry with Katherine Kear

The day is spent on ideas to get you started on the route ‘less is more!’ It’s not how much you have but what you do with it. We include: From me to you; Love the blooms; Cast iron idea; and Solo run. Materials are provided at cost, approx £30 to £35 paid on the day.

For further information, contact Mandy, Nikki or Charley on 01386 854 100 or e-mail us at enquiries@farncombeestate.co.uk

Ashton under Hill Open Gardens Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June 2009

Ashton under Hill Open Gardens Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June 2009

Over 1400 visitors came to our 31st annual event in 2008, from as far afield as Japan, Canada and Holland, as well as many places much nearer to Worcestershire. They shared two days of beautiful, warm sunshine with us, enjoying the village and the gardens which were open for viewing. Many people said they particularly appreciated the variety of gardens on display, and the warmth and friendliness of their welcome.

Gardens for Gardeners

Our theme in 2009 is Gardens for Gardeners, emphasising that what you will see in Ashton are gardens designed and maintained by enthusiasts, facing all the usual challenges of climate, location, soil, and of course the same garden pests! You can be assured of a warm welcome from our gardeners who will be happy to talk to you about their gardens, their choice of plants and shrubs, and their successes and failures. This year we will have 24 gardens open, from small vegetable and cottage flower plots to large landscaped gardens on the lower slopes of Bredon Hill.

Refreshments and Plant Sales

When you feel the need for rest and relaxation you will be able to enjoy some quality refreshments: lunches from 12:30pm, cream teas, afternoon teas from the WI or the full menu in our village pub, The Star. There will also be the opportunity for you to buy a wide selection of quality plants, and we continue our theme of exhibitions and displays in the village church with Images of Ashton, a pictorial and audio-visual look at events and activities in the village from times past to the present day. There will also be displays by the Cotswolds Wardens and the Hereford and Worcester Master Composters, as well as a Picture Treasure Hunt for children.

Admission Prices Held

Gardens are open from 1.00pm to 6.00pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the event remains at just £4.00 per person, children free, and Saturday tickets are valid for Sunday. Free use of the special bus service throughout the village is included, allowing you time to see all of the gardens at your leisure. There’s also ample free parking for cars and coaches.

Discount for Group Bookings

We are pleased to offer group discounted tickets at £3.50 per person for a party of 10 or more, booked in advance by Friday 29 May. To find out more, including photos of previous events, please visit our website at: www.ashtonopengardens.co.uk.

Contact details:

Telephone: 01386 881778
Fax: 0870 762 1557
Email: marketing@ashtonopengardens.co.uk