Masterclass series concludes as Franziska moves on

Franziska discusses a point with some of the Masterclass participants
Franziska discusses a point with some of the Masterclass participants

On 17th April regular (and other) attendees of Glenfinart Walled Garden’s Masterclasses bade resident expert gardener and horticulturalist, Franziska Schmidt, a regrettable but very fond farewell.

The final class of the series covered medicinal and healing plants and, as ever, was expertly resourced and delivered. Content ranged from identifying a number of relevant plants to how to collect and prepare herbs for teas, poultices, infusions, balms, and tinctures and their potential uses and precautions.

The relaxed and friendly group participation has been a trademark of the series and it was with a degree of sadness that goodbyes were said and thanks expressed along with lots of good wishes to Franziska for her personal and professional future.

Gardener’s Blether – new issue

The new issue of Gardener’s Blether, the newsletter of Glenfinart Walled Garden, can be downloaded here (PDF)

Kids’ fun at Garden Opening

Sofia
Sofia plants her decorated egg plant

At what has become something of a tradition, Glenfinart Walled Garden held its spring opening in conjunction with Forestry Commission Scotland’s Easter Monday Eggstravaganza.

There was free entry to the garden and lots of fun activities for the children, e.g., mask painting; colour a bug glider, egg decoration; coconut shy; and plant a seed in the kids’ garden. As ever, the tea tent, with Ardentinny’s famous home baking, did a fine trade and a total of £437.92 was raised on the day, courtesy of generous donations of time, goodies and cash.

Glenfinart Walled Garden is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays 12.00 – 16.00 hrs and on the first Friday of the month 11.00 – 14.00 hrs. Visitors are also welcome any day the gate is open or, by appointment. All enquiries, requests to visit the Garden and offers of help can be made to Jean on 01369  810075 or Anna on 01369 810238.

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Glenfinart Walled Garden and Tesco’s Bags of Help

UntitledGlenfinart Walled Garden has been chosen to receive a grant from Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme. These funds will be used to improve access to the garden and provide disabled parking.

Tesco has teamed up with greenspace scotland to launch its Bags of Help initiative across Scotland. The scheme will see three community groups and projects awarded grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 – all raised from the 5p bag charge.

Bags of Help offers community groups and projects in each of Tesco’s regions across the UK a share of revenue generated from the five pence charge levied on single-use carrier bags.

The public will now vote in store from 27 February until 6 March on who should receive the £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 awards.

Voting in this region will take place in Tesco’s Helensburgh Store.

Gardener’s Blether – January 2015

January issue of Gardener’s Blether, the newsletter of Glenfinart Walled Garden (PDF).