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DOUBLE TIME Volunteers defied the rain and the prediction that relaying the Walled Garden's original paths and making them wheelchair-friendly would take 10 days by completing the task in half the estimated time.
A visit to the Elford Hall Gardens by a group of Rugeley Phab club members was such a success that more are likely to follow.
Phab is a national charity that encourages the integration of people with and without disabilities to come together on equal terms and the event was organised by Sheelagh Raybone, one of the project’s Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) facilitators.
Sheelagh, who is also a volunteer, was helped by Sue Watton, Andrea and Dyff Martin, Marianne Letherbarrow and Colin Raybone.
“The visit was paid for from our HLF Funding as part of the activity programme,” explained Dave Watton, the project’s chairman. “It is expected this type of group visit hosting will continue to be a feature of the project in years to come, even after HLF funding is fully drawn down.
“Other activities planned relate to nature talks, craft demonstrations and fishing introduction. On this occasion, our visitors clearly enjoyed the Easter theme, especially the gift of chocolate eggs kindly donated by Tesco of Lichfield. They have asked if they can come again and we look forward to continuing the association.”
Students from South Staffordshire College, Tamworth, have been playing their part in constructing the project's Giant's Garden.
The aim of the garden, which will cost in the region of £15,000 to complete, is to provide an area with wheelchair access that will be of interest and tranquility and appeal to people of all ages.
Thirty students have worked for one day a week on a voluntary basis and prpject chairman Dave Watton said: "They all work hard and it's definitely handy to have extra pairs of hands to help us out.
"I'm happy to hear that some are coming to help with our volunteer days on Saturday on top off the work they do in the week."
Work by the students includes helping to lay a block path and rolling and raking out the ground ready to sow grass seeds.
Tutor Phil Clamp told how the tasks available for the students were ideal for a module on their course, which is based on voluntary work within the public service.
He said: "We were contacted to help out with the project and I thought straight away that it was a great opportunity.
"It was only meant to go on for three weeks but we've asked to extend our time here."
The three platforms designed to accommodate people fishing or help passing canoeists land have now been completed. They are located on the bank where the Hall Gardens border the River Tame and Laurence Watton (left) was one of the first to take advantage.
Texan singer/songwriter Sam Baker will be the latest 'Americana' artist to appear in a fund-raising gig at Elford Village Hall.
Baker, who follows Slaid Cleaves and Rod Picott in what is becoming an annual autumn event promoted by Gary and Becky Delderfield, will be appearing on Friday October 12.
A friend of Cleaves, Baker delivers his quirky and poignant songs of life, loves and marginalised people in a style that, hovering between speaking and singing, has captivated critics such as BBC DJ Bob Harris.
He described Baker's 2007 album Pretty World as 'magnificent' and the follow up, Cotton, was similarly well-received.
Tickets cost £10. To reserve, please call Gary or Becky on 01827 383533 or email garydelderfield@googlemail.com. In the meantime check out www.sambakermusic.com.
A BUILDING FOR ALL REASONS
The three-bay oak-framed barn erected in the grounds of the Walled Garden to store equipment, machinery and logs proved its versatility in doubling up as the venue for the third Annual New Year Feast.
More than 20 volunteers attended the event and organiser Roger Thompson said: "It was a great success despite the cold weather. The volunteers showed their generosity extends way beyond the efforts they put in when working by supplying far too much food and drink and the barn proved a perfect venue."
STABLE PROVES PERFECT STAGE
The restored stable in the Elford Hall Garden proved the perfect stage for the climax of a church service to commemorate the Christmas nativity.
So much so that the Rev Denise Burgess, who inspired and led the service, wants to make it an annual event.
WASSAILERS GO BACK TO THE FUTURE
Volunteers, members and friends of the project to restore the Elford Walled Garden have revived something even older - the medieval custom of wassailing.
More than 50 people of all ages took part in the event, which began with displays from Lichfield Morris Men, Armitage Mummers and Beggar's Oak Clog Dancers at The Crown and culminated in the garden's orchard.
The ancient ritual, which took place around Christmas time in the cider-producing regions of England, involved singing to the trees to promote a good harvest in the coming year.
And given the turnout and enthusiasm displayed by themodern day wassailers, Dave Watton, the project's chairman, reckons a glut of fruit could be in the offing.
He said: "Judging by the goodwill shown by the followers,we are surely in for a bumper crop of fruit next year."
The event, organised by Carol Wedgbury, was part of the project's Heritage Lottery Funded Activities and Dave added: "It was so successful that I can see it taking place annually."
Check out this link for more information on wassailing
A sell-out crowd was treated to a feast of pyrotechnics and food at the Elford Walled Garden's third bonfire and fireworks display.
More than 350 burgers and 20 kilos of sausages supplied by Coates of Alrewas were consumed during a rain-free event that climaxed as fireworks lit up the inky blue night sky during a spectacular 20-minute salvo of explosions and colour.
The meaty treats were supple-mented by 350 doughnuts and washed down by five barrels of real ale, 30 bottles of wine and countless cans of soft drinks. These mainly sated the thirst of the many children present who, in addition to the fireworks, were given day-glo necklaces, enjoyed free activities put on by Irene Standerwick and bopped the evening away in the disco.
RIGHT ROYAL SUCCESS
She came, she saw, she charmed us. That was the consensus after Her Royal Highness, Sophie Countess of Wessex, performed the official opening ceremony of the restored Elford Hall Garden.
Elford resident Catherine (Cat) Sharpe and James McGregor became the first couple to hold their wedding reception in the Walled Garden following their marriage on August 6th.
"Cat first approached us nearly two years ago," recalled Dave Watton, the project chairman. "At the time the garden was a wilderness and we had to yet to sign the lease and secure funding. I'm pleased that her faith in our project to deliver her reception venue was not misplaced and the day went off well."
Click here to see a larger version of this picture
The Elford Hall Garden's first Real Ale and Music Festival was a resounding success.
NINE DOWN, ONE TO GO
The decision to create allotments in the Walled Garden and lease them has proved so popular that just one of the initial quota of 10 remains vacant.
As with the other nine, it is available to be leased to a group comprising three members and the annual fee is £120.
In addition to the allotment, this fee will include an adjacent section of the wall to enable Espalier fruit trees, figs, grapes or similar plants to be cultivated.
For more information, please call Avril Commons on 01462 684533 or e-mail: avrilcommons@virginmedia.com.
Follow this link for a plan of the allotments and details of the Allotments Club
Horses occupying the restored stable in the Elford Walled Garden will stand on a floor fit for the Queen's thoroughbreds thanks to the generosity of the world's largest brick manufacturer.
Six youngsters plus team leader Nicola Leadbetter (pictured left, front row, in blue) from Project V - a scheme that encourages people aged between 16 and 26 to volunteer in their spare time - recently spent a day in the Walled Garden erecting a 'green' screen to shield us from our neighbours.
The group planted a selection of rhododendrons, cammellias, clematis, climbing roses, hydrangeas, honeysuckle and birch trees that had been supplied by Planters Garden Centre in the area between the wall and the church at the eastern end of the site.
Having completed that task, the seven, making light of the filthy weather, helped lay paths and prepare the rose garden beds.
Meanwhile, Mike Arnold and Florascape have donated a large quantity of bulbs that have been planted around the outside of the wall.
A momentous moment as the Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Michael Wilkes, lays the final brick in the renovated wall.
More than 50 children from the Howard School and Whittington pre-school groups planted almost 2000 spring bulbs, including daffodils, crocus and snakeshead fritillaries in the area surrounding the orchard during an autumn visit to the Elford Walled Garden.
It's not just the Elford Hall Garden being revitalised by the project. So are the volunteers working on it.
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MUD, GLORIOUS MUD
Follow this link to see more pictures of the wildlife in the Elford Hall Garden
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