The Gardening Group has been in existence for a good number of years. It is made up of people who are interested in flowers, plants and gardens as a whole.

On Wednesday 4th June we were invited by Maria to come to her house in order to discuss the future of our group.

During recent years a number of problems have arisen. More members have developed mobility issues and although that means more need for car lifts only a few of us still have cars. And of course over the past few years very sadly several of our friends have passed away. 
We very much appreciate and value our collective friendship and therefore it was decided to keep meeting so we have now changed our group to a Get Together Group.
On the first Wednesday of every month we will meet at Dobbies Garden Centre at 
2.00 - 4.00pm. for a drink etc. and being together.
Maria provided us with coffee, tea and a gorgeous choice of cakes. Thank Maria - you did a wonderful job. 

On Wednesday 5th March we went to visit Crookilley Wood which most of us had never heard of.

It is situated at Lower Bredbury near Ashton Road which gives access to the M60 motorway with on the left Crookilley Wood.
We started at the back of the Arden Park Estate to the entrance of Crookilley Wood. The path went gradually down and curved along with on the left a very steep slope down where we noticed a little stream flowing along. Halfway of the walk a long flight of steps goes down and across the stream, then steeply up to the path on the other side. The wood is very dense and once there are leaves on the trees it will be quite dark but the denseness will blot out the Motorway traffic sounds for the people in the estate. Maybe this wood is a remnant of an ancient wood untouched because of its steep position and unsuitable for farming or human habitation in the past.
Holly, Hawthorns and Ivy were happily growing. Moss and various types of Lychen clung to the trees but the Bluebells were absent because of the dim light.  The birds found the wood a great and safe habitat. We noticed a number of Blue Tits, two Robins and a beautiful multicoloured Kingfisher while in the distance  we heard a Woodpecker drilling in a tree to get his meal. We hoped he was successful!
Talking about meals - we then left the wood and went to Pear Mill which is filled with old and antique items to be bought and visited the Vintage Cafe where we were all fed and watered while appreciating being together with friends. Thanks Shirley for your nice choice where to visit.                                                      Karin

On Wednesday 5th February we went to Torkington Park which lies hidden away from the surrounding roads.

Originally the area belonged to a Victorian family who had Torkington Hall built which sadly is now unoccupied and the grounds were donated to the Local Authority in 1934 for use as a public garden. In the large open space are tennis courts, a lovely play area with framed structures for children to play and a number of paths to walk about and meet people and of course dog owners.
Behind the house is a wooded area and that leads to a Secret Garden which formerly was the Kitchen garden. During the Millenium Year this was transformed into a beautiful oblong garden with in the centre low topiary hedges which curve around a single nice Victorian lamppost at a lower level reached by steps.  Along the rectangular paths are some benches and a variety of bushes. It was still winter but the Snowdrops were .flowering and so were the Corkscrew Hazel bushes with yellow spiky blooms and the evergreen Viburnum Tinus with their delicate clusters of pinkish white mini flowers. Other bushes were still dormant awaiting the arrival of Spring.
We were lucky to have a day without the biting cold wind but even so it was very nice to go to the pleasant restaurant of the nearby Brookside garden centre to enjoy each others company while have a warm drink and lunch. 
Well Rose - we definitely think that you made a good choice where to go and send you our  thanks!                                                                                       Karin 

Wednesday 6th November in Etherow Park

By the beginning of November most plants in our gardens are beginning to hibernate so on Wednesday 6th November we went instead to Etherow Park in Compstall. We started our day there with a civilised mug of coffee and one of us always opts for a nice chocolate drink.
The theme of the day was a tool stool and Fungi hunt. Everybody recognises Brown Rot Fungus which likes to grow on tree trunks and looks like brown/beige saucers. We also spotted soft beige Bleeding Milk Caps with a diameter of 5 inches and they have a deep dent in the centre. Brittle Caps are about an inch across and feel at home in the soil next to the tree trunks where they form a white circle.
We did not see Common Puffballs because  they prefer to come up in between the tiles of our garden paths. They need a careful removal because their fertile dust could otherwise result in an invasion of Puffballs in our gardens.
Afterwards we were amused by the names of many Fungi. We did find some light white/grey Carbon Antlers which gives an indication of their lovely shape.
Some names of common Fungi include Bleeding Fairy Helmet, Chicken of the Wood, Blushing Bracket, Candy Caps and Chestnut Parasol to name just a few. Amazing and very comical names.  We had a lovely and educational time together. Wonderful! 
                                                                                                              Karin

On Wednesday 2nd  October we met at the house of Maria for our annual plant exchange.

We all brought a nice variety of garden and house plants. As always, the money goes into the central Garden Group pot to be spent during some future event.  There were Sedums, rockery plants, a filled garden tub, Peace Lily, Azalea as well as small cyclamen. These start off as house plants but when planted in the garden during Spring they adapt as outdoor species and will for ever flower profusely.
Maria provided us with us with tea and superb filter coffee which was much appreciated by the “coffeeholics” among us. We too enjoyed gorgeous cake.
We discussed various ideas for our forthcoming programme, but the final choice will be made during our January meeting.
Thanks Maria, we enjoyed being together at your place. That was great!
                                                                                                                           Karin

 On the 7th August five of us met for coffee at The Didsbury, one of the pubs next to The Fletcher Moss Gardens.

This allowed us to put in our number plate identities on the touch screen and have all day parking for free. Payment for the joint part of the car park was by App only – no coin machine!

We then began by exploring the rockery garden. It had a steep drop to it from the entry path and was accessed by four deep steps with good hand rails. After that, with walking sticks at the ready, we meandered down pathways and marvelled at all the plants and trees that seemed to be hugging each other and finding space to grow. “Find a Plant” apps were asked questions when we couldn’t identify the species. We exited a gate to go and find a section on the map called the Pergola Gardens. This was a wooden structure with a mature Wisteria creating shade over paths and the middle crowned with a round rose garden. Now for a climb back to the top in order for a lunchtime rest in The Didsbury. We passed interesting benches that had sculptures and carvings in them. 

 After lunch we crossed the road to the Parsonage Gardens. There was signage giving the history of the gardens. The whole area was donated to the citizens of Manchester by Fletcher Moss who was an Alderman of the city and a prolific author, writing about the old houses in the area. The Old Parsonage is the second oldest building in Didsbury, only the Parish Church of St James on the other side of Stenner Lane is older. Fletcher Moss lived in the Old Parsonage from 1864 until his death In 1919, a collection of his books is held in the house, where they can viewed by appointment.

The gardens were beautifully maintained and we took time to stroll and enjoy them. Finally, a visit to the inside of the Parsonage to view the 3 galleries of art work, ended a perfect day out.

Some more photographs from the visit to Fletcher Moss Gardens and the Parsonage Gardens

On 3rd July we drove along lovely country lanes to the Lovell Quinta Arboretum at Swettenham.

Nearby is the Jodrell Bank radio telescope which was founded by the scientist Bernard Lovell and over the years he and his family established on their grounds the Arboretum with its huge collection of very special trees.
We set off into the woods which opened up to display a beautiful ornamental lake with water plants, reeds and Yellow Flag Irises which had finished flowering. At one side were smaller trees and tall pines and oaks looking very majestic.
Everywhere the paths were not paved but they were formed by green grassy lines to emphasise the
green haven feel of the arboretum. Then we walked along the wide Knights Avenue along which Lombardy poplars lined up and the name was given to celebrate the Knighthood given to Sir Bernard Lovell in 1961.
This Arboretum is unique and very special for three reasons.
1) One of the main collections of the Pinus species (Pine trees). The Arboretum holds a National Collection of this genus.
2) Also unique in Great Britain is the fact that this Arboretum holds the National Collection of Ash trees (Fraxinus). Fortunately, we noted that none of them seemed to have the Ash sickness.
3) A great variety of coniferous trees are part of the Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh Endangered Conifer programme, and their variety and growth are monitored here.
One of these conifers had branches almost reaching down to the ground and we resisted the temptation to behave like little kids and climb into them. Along gorgeous Oak trees we returned to the exit and had an open-air lunch on some comfortable benches outside the Swettenham pub followed by coffee. One of us had brought along Dexter, a Labrador puppy, which she was looking after while her son and family were away on holiday. Dexter stole our hearts, and he was very well behaved, and we all enjoyed each other’s company on this wonderful day.
This Arboretum was great and very interesting. Not only that, but it provided us with a lesson in Latin as we tried to take in all the Latin names of the trees. Fortunately, we did not have to take a language test afterwards as we agreed that we probably would have failed the test.
But the day was terrific.
Karin

On June 5th we visited Bridgewater gardens

We awoke to the now customary weather forecast of wind and rain. So our hopes of a relaxing day meandering through the Bridgewater gardens were rather muted. But, surprise surprise, the weather changed just after we arrived. There were dramatic clouds and strong gusts, but periods of warm sun too. We were even able to sit outside with our coffees. We chose the café with a seating area next to the chicken run. The chickens soon came close to the fence to see if any snacks would come their way. We admired their unusual plumage but were not for spoiling their diet.
Not all of the group had visited Bridgewater before and so we were expertly led by leader Eileen C along routes that allowed us to take in as much of the gardens as possible. There was much chat about plants and their names and admiration for those not seen before. Time flew and at 1.30pm lunch was planned next. A busy time! The café had been altered recently to ease queuing for placing orders. A whole wall of chiller cabinets had been installed to enable a help yourself option for sandwiches. There was a separate till for payment for these and ordering drinks at the same time. Adjacent to this till were staff making up drinks according to the till receipt numbers. There was no signage to explain the changes, but people helped each other by pointing out what to do. We sat outside with our meals admiring the view of the lake and marvelling how lucky we were with the weather.
The walled gardens had been explored before lunch, so it was then time for strolls to the Chinese Stream and wilder parts. The Chinese Garden was beautiful as the running streams were lined by many different colours of Candelabra Primroses. It is still being developed and a Chinese pavilion is being built. The Chinese pagoda has been completed. Who knows what the next surprise will be on your next visit? All in all a “Grand day out”!
By Anne

Newcomers are very welcome especially, but not exclusively, drivers. Passengers are asked to contribute if they have a lift.