One of our Committee mantra is that SAGE is for fun! This year we have very much enjoyed hearing from members on how much you have enjoyed the SAGE activities and many thanks to those of you who found time to share your experiences and feedback with us. It’s been a great encouragement to the committee that our arranged activities have been so well attended by both established members as well as newcomers to the village. Looking back on our activities over the last year has been a very pleasant experience on a cold winters afternoon and here are some of the highlights.
With the Pandemic restrictions still in place at various times through out 2021 our emphasis was on continuing to arrange as many garden visits as possible ensuring members enjoyment and safety.
First and foremost our own membership has provided some wonderful opportunities for garden visits with some old favourites as well as some gardens that many hadn’t seen before.
Our very grateful thanks to the garden owners who so kindly offered visits including:-
Jane and Michael Joseph at Woodlands Cottage
Kate and Jerry Losty at Granny Read’s
Pam Malcolmson at Oak Cottage
Sandie Conlon at Stream Barn
Rosemary at Skinners Cottage
Carolyn Shaw at 1, St Nicholas’ Cottages
Suzie and Russell at Little Naillard’s
Guy and Mary at Yeoman’s Cottage,
Pam FR at the Old Brew House
Grahame and Di at Wisteria Cottage
Rhona at Frithwood
Lynne and Ricky Nye at Southlands
The Old Ale House
Sarah and Mike at 6, Swan View Pulborough
In June we had a magical visit to Fittleworth House on a beautiful summers day and were treated to a talk by the head gardener Mark Saunders who showed us the newly developed stream and wildlife areas. We are currently re-booking Mark to return and speak to the membership with an illustrated talk on the head gardeners year this coming Autumn.
In July we had a wonderful afternoon at The Old Rectory in Sullington where the summer borders were absolutely breath-taking. The afternoon of wandering and exploring and enjoyment of the spectacular Downland views was followed by a delicious tea at the Café of the Old Workshop Sullington Manor Farm. It was such a good day that we all felt that we want to return again this coming summer or next if the opportunity arises.
Also in July we visited Pelham Plants at Laughton, East Sussex. Owner Paul Seabourne shared his enthusiasm for many unusual plants combining the more traditional plants with more contemporary planting ideas. We enjoyed morning coffee, home made cake and were able to peruse the on-site nursery to purchase plants and fill the backs of ours cars for the journey home.
Later in July Kate and Jerry Losty so kindly hosted the Sage Summer Party and we were rewarded with a perfect balmy evening. Their romantic garden was ideally suited with the intimate planting and many seating areas where members were able to catch up over a glass or two of wine and some delicious food.
Rymans at Apuldram near Chichester was our September choice and we had a memorable tour of the garden with Head Gardener Jamie Clark. The early Autumn planting was stunning with drifts of white anemones, dusty pink sedums and vibrant dahlias all in the perfect ancient setting with the grade one listed manor house.
We had planned a slide show for our members to recall these great visits but as this is not possible at the moment we will send some of the photographic highlights along to the Sage blog for you to enjoy at your leisure.
Best wishes
Sarah and the Sage committee
