Delightful Devon – The 2019 AGM
The 2019 AGM in Devon was a while in the making, so when the time came for the four day event those of us who had done the recce were really keen to revisit the gardens two years earlier. Why Devon, well we were invited by EBTS UK members Tom & Hilary Bigge and that is where we started with tea on the lawn of Marwood House Guineaford, Barnstaple and tours of the garden Tom has created.
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- Marwood House
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- Teas on the lawn of Marwood House
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- Camellia maze
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- Camellia stems
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- Marwood House views
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- View over the fountain
After meeting up for a relaxed Friday night dinner in our hotel in Barnstaple, Saturday was time to do the official business and hear talks from John Marston, Lady Arran and Lynn Batdorf.
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- Council members Lynda Hinton (Administrator), Stephen Fenny (Treasurer) & Charlotte Maclean
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- Chairman Chris Poole welcoming everyone the 2019 AGM
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- Lady Arran giving a heart felt talk on her family history at Castle Hill
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- John Marston giving his talk 'From mooing to mowing'
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- 'if box could talk' by Lynn Batdorf
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- Attendees in the West Wing of Castle Hill
After the formal meeting, talks and a great lunch, we were able to enjoy the gardens at Castle Hill.
Garden Visits
On Sunday it was time to board a coach and travel to RHS Rosemoor for a guided tour of by two of the gardener which included seeing the brand new Cool garden before it was open to the public.
Lunch at the The Fox & Goose was followed by a visit to Heddon Hall a privately owned garden rarely open to the public. Then it was back towards Barnstaple to visit John Marston’s garden at Upper Gorwell House.
On the way home on Monday we visited the amazing South Wood Farm, Cotleigh, Honiton, where Head Gardener Will Smithson showed us round the stunning Arnie Maynard designed garden that blends perfectly into the surrounding country side.
RHS Rosemoor
Heddon Hall
Upper Gorwell House
South Wood Farm
Thanks to everyone who attended the AGM extended visit to Devon and to those who contributed talks and opened their gardens for our visits.
