Open Gardens Monday 26th May 2.00-5.00p.m.

Please come along to this village event and enjoy the chance to see hidden Woodchester. The cost is £1 for a map showing the open gardens and will be available from any participating garden. Any proceeds will be donated to Woodchester-based charity Inishfree towards the planting of an orchard. Donations of cakes and scones requested by Rachel and Stephen Wright please.

The list so far:
Atcombe Court garden
The Small Garden at Atcombe Court
Inschdene, Atcombe Road
Atcombe Court Lodge, Frogmarsh Lane – cottage garden, roses and plants for sale
Friarsfield, Convent Lane  - garden under construction
Atcombe Barn, Convent Lane - woodland walk
Redwood Barn, Convent Lane - formal white garden
Upper Summerwells Cottage, Convent Lane - garden with views
Rosare, Lagger Lane – lawns and borders
Cross House, High Street – florist’s/cottage garden
The Anchorage, High Street – wildlife gardening
Brambles, High Street
Bracks, High Street – train and railway (unable to run if wet)
2, High Street – cottage garden
High Street – allotment
High Street Cottage, High Street – TEAS and CAKES 

Woodchester Drama – Calf Rescued from Nailsworth Stream

Yesterday afternoon Jen Whiskerd waded into the Nailsworth Stream to rescue a very small calf that had managed to get out of the field by Frogmarsh Lane, down the bank and into the water.  His mother was distraught and it was her bellows that alerted nearby residents to the calf’s plight.  The calf was in danger of drowning as only his nose was above the water.  Jen was scratched, stung, wet but triumphant as she reunited calf and cow.  A few minutes later the Nailsworth Fire Brigade arrived and went to check all was well although they had missed the rescue.   It’s good to know we live in a place where people notice, care and take action.

The First Swallow?

I saw my first three swallows of 2008 on the 23rd April.  I think I may have seen one a couple of days earlier out of the corner of my eye, but not certainly enough to count.  There are now several refurbishing their old nests.  Did anyone else have an earlier sighting in Woodchester this year?