I have just been looking back over the past few years to when I started writing the Spetchley diary. Back in 2005 we were delighted at the thought of a renovated rest room and the excitement of clearing out sheds to find enough material for a museum (still one of my great plans...). During March 2006 we saw the construction of the new toilets and tea rooms whilst March 2007 was so wet that all our plans for starting the Kitchen Garden project were thwarted.
This year all our thoughts are again concentrated on the Kitchen Garden, but thankfully the weather has been so much kinder. The bones of the garden have been completed and it is now time to start the great replant. Design plans are being drawn up and it is quite unnerving to realise just how many young plants will be constantly required. This is going to be a really high maintenance project, but will be worth all the effort.
Last month I went with my husband for a trip to Warley Place, Essex, the home of Ellen Willmott, Mr Berkeley's great aunt. There is little left of the grand estate but the drifts of early daffodils and snowdrops are breathtaking and show that winter is almost at an end.(see pic). The estate is now leased by the Essex Wildlife Trust now and is cared for by volunteers.
At Spetchley we are opening again on 21st March, Good Friday this year, less than 3 weeks away. As the weather has warmed up and become breezy we have started to cut the grass and weed the borders in preparation. Daphnes and mahonia are spilling their scent into the air, and the cherry blossom is beautifully reflected in the horse pool. Even with the occasional cold snap it is a very cheerful time of year.
Our volunteer, Leigh, has been offered a temporary job at a local nursery for the summer so we will really miss her and can't wait for her to be back.
We look forward to seeing you during the new season.
