Spring gardens ready to open for national scheme
Last year, 2023, proved to be a record year for the National Garden Scheme with £3,403,960 donated to the charity’s beneficiaries. Why not help the charity off to a great start for 2024 and visit some of these beautiful gardens opening for the scheme in March across the county? Full details can be found at www.ngs.org.uk
Pembury House, Ditchling Road, Clayton, BN6 9PH:
Thursday 7th and Friday 8th March between 10.30am and 3.30pm with entry £11 (inc refreshments). Prebooking essential, please visit www.ngs.org.uk to book a timed slot. Depending on the vagaries of the season, hellebores are at their best in March. This is a country garden, tidy but not manicured. with new work always ongoing. Traverse winding paths which give a choice of walks through 3 acres of garden, which enjoys views of the South Downs National Park. Suitable footwear, macs and winter woollies are well advised. There will be plants for sale and owners prefer cash.
Judy’s Cottage Garden, The Plantation, Worthing, BN13 2AE:
Friday 29th March between 10.30am and 3.30pm with entry £5. A beautiful medium sized cottage garden with something of interest all year-round. The garden has several mature trees creating a feeling of seclusion. The informal beds contain a mixture of shrubs, perennials, cottage garden plants and spring bulbs. There are little hidden areas to enjoy, a small fish pond and other water features. There is also a pretty log cabin overlooking the plot.
Nymans, Staplefield Road, Handcross, RH17 6EB:
Saturday 16th March between 10am and 5pm with entry £17 adult and children £8.50. One of National Trust’s premier gardens with some rare and unusual plant collections of national significance. In spring see blossom, bulbs and a stunning collection of subtly fragranced magnolias. The Rose Garden, inspired by Maud Messel’s 1920’s design, is scented by hints of old-fashioned roses. The comfortable yet elegant house, a partial ruin, reflects the personalities of the creative Messel family. Some level pathways.
Bates Green, Tye Hill Road, Arlington, BN26 6SH:
Sunday 17th March between 10.30am and 4pm with entry £7 adult and children £3. Pre-booking essential, please visit www.ngs.org.uk for information & booking. This plants woman’s tranquil garden provides interest through all the seasons. See the woodland garden, created around a majestic oak tree then move on to the colour themed middle garden. Enjoy courtyard gardens with seasonal container displays. The front garden is a spring and autumn joy with narcissi, primroses, violets then coloured stems and leaves of cornus and salix. Don’t miss the wildlife pond and wildflower meadow. The plot is gardened for nature and wildlife. Visitors can walk through a wild daffodil glade leading to the 24-acre ancient oak woodland, home of the
Arlington Bluebell Walk. Beatons Wood has been owned by the Mccutchan family for 100 years and is managed for conservation and diversity. The garden has wheelchair access and mobility scooters area available to borrow, free of charge
King Johns Lodge, Sheepstreet Lane, Etchingham, TN19 7AZ:
Saturday 23rd March between 10am and 5pm with entry £5. Visit this 4-acre romantic garden for all seasons. It has been an ongoing family project since 1987, with new areas completed in 2020. From the eclectic shop, nursery and tearoom, stroll past wildlife pond through orchard with bulbs, meadow, rose walk and fruit according to the season. The historic house has a broad lawn, with fountain, herbaceous border, pond and ha-ha. Explore the secret woodland along with renovated pond and admire the majestic trees and 4-acre meadows.
The Old Vicarage, The
Street, Washington, RH20 4AS:
Thursdays 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th March between 10am and 5pm with entry £7, pre-booking essential at www.ngs.org.uk
The gardens extend to 3½ acres, set around an 1832 Regency house. The front is formally laid out with topiary, complete with wide lawn, mixed border and contemporary water sculpture. The rear features new and mature trees from the 19th century, herbaceous borders, a water garden and stunning uninterrupted views of the North Downs. The Japanese garden with waterfall and pond leads to a large copse, stream, treehouse and stumpery. Each year 2000 tulips are planted for spring as well as another 2000 snowdrops and mixed bulbs throughout the garden.
Down Place, South Harting, Petersfield, GU31 5PN. Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th March between 1.30pm and 5.30pm with entry £5.
Set on the South Downs with panoramic views out to the undulating wooded countryside. The garden merges seamlessly into its surrounding landscape with rose and herbaceous borders that have been moulded into the sloping ground. There is a well-stocked vegetable garden and walks shaded by beech trees which surround the natural wildflower meadow where various native orchids flourish. Seeds from the meadow are used to regenerate devastated areas in the South Downs National Park. Substantial top terrace and borders accessible to wheelchairs.
We sincerely hope you enjoy your visit and watch out for the April update in 4 weeks time.
seven children alone, after her husband leaves her for a younger, more attractive woman, she takes a job as a cleaner for an upper-middle-class couple, Richard and Jennifer Lyons.
When she discovers she is pregnant yet again – this time with twins – she is convinced, by Mrs Lyons who is desperate for a child of her own but unable to conceive, to give up one of her twin boys to her wealthy employer.
Although tortured by guilt and regret, Mrs Johnstone remains a kind and loving mother who would do anything for her children. As the twins, Mickey and Eddie, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, Mrs Johnstone is unaware that they will eventually meet again with tragic consequences.
The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionallycharged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.
ANNIE SUGDEN (EMMERDALE, 1972-1994)
Ever since she was widowed, in 1972, Annie Sugden (affectionately referred to as “Ma” by her family) felt responsible for Emmerdale Farm and the Sugden family. Life wasn’t always easy for Annie – she had to cope with financial crises, warring sons and the loss of her only daughter, Peggy, who died from a brain haemorrhage.
However, she was a strong, level-headed woman who faced her problems courageously. She was loyal to her family, but not blind to their weaknesses, and she spoke her mind when she felt it was called for.
Her honesty was usually appreciated and people turned to her for advice.
Despite her stony-faced and stern exterior, Annie was a warm, compassionate woman with a good sense of humour.
Commenting on her character in 1985, Sheila Mercier said: “Annie Sugden has changed a great deal over the years. At the beginning she was very terse. She was head of the family and let everyone know it.
“She ruled with a rod of iron and it was Annie who kept the farm together. But now things are different. Jack has made a success of Emmerdale and Annie has made herself relax. She’s mellower now.”