News
Join us / Help us?
Date: April 1, 2019 Posted by: Nadya Pearson
If you are interested in becoming a Friend of the Porter's Garden, volunteering in the garden, or would like to donate plants please let us know by using this form.William III Bed Redesign 2018 - 2019
Date: March 3, 2019 Posted by: Nadya Pearson
Following much discussion within the committee, this bed underwent a complete redesign during 2018. The bed was cleared of plants and stones and then leveled and the earth firmed before a weed suppressing membrane was laid with three circular cutouts intended for Repton style flower baskets.
The surrounding box hedging had been removed in January 2018 as it had succumbed to box blight and, after more discussion, replaced with Ligustrum ovalifolium. Golden gravel was then used to cover the membrane.
Humphry Repton was the last great English landscape designer of the eighteenth century, often regarded as the successor to Capability Brown. The flower baskets, reminiscent of Repton style were intended to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Repton's death.
The flower baskets were manufactured by local designer blacksmith Peter Clutterbuck and installed on 1 August 2018. The final planting plan was still under discussion as of February 2019.
Porters Garden volunteers visit Admiralty House & Garden.
Date: June 16, 2016 Posted by: Mark Pearson
On Wednesday 16th June, in between a morning and afternoon work in Porters Garden our volunteers enjoyed a visit to the nearby Admiralty House & Garden. Hosted by the Admiral's wife Mrs Woodcock the volunteers were welcome with tea and biscuits before being led on a very informative tour of both the house and the garden.
The volunteers had a lovely experience, and would like to thank the very knowlegable Mrs Woodcock for the inviation and hospitality (not to mention the cuttings taken from the garden)!
New wrought iron plant stand installed.
Date: May 16, 2016 Posted by: Mark Pearson
Blacksmiths Peter Clutterbuck & Patrick Mannerings have been busy at work making our new wrought iron plant stand. Today they came and installed it. Commissioned to replace a wooden stand which had deteriorated beyond repair this new stand was specially designed to match the nearby wrought iron gates which were also made by Peter Clutterbuck.
The stand was immediately put to good use and is now full of a wide range of plants offered for sale to the general public. Our old stand has also been retained and is used to store extra plants and those being prepared for sale.
Descendant of Captain Rous visits the Pique Stone.
Date: Feb 19, 2016 Posted by: Mark Pearson
A descendant of Captain Rous was pleased to visit the Pique Stone recently and had a photo taken beside the stone.
The Pique Stone is so named because it is the stone found lodged in the hull of HMS Pique which ran aground in Labrador, but successfully crossed the Atlantic in 1835. The plaque above the stone tells the story :
This stone was found wedged in a hole in the bottom of the
Frigate H.M.S. PIQUE, (c/o Captain the Hon. H.J. Rous, R.N.) when the
ship was docked in Portsmouth in October 1835. The PIQUE,
had run ashore in the Belle Isle Straits, Labrador, in Sept.
of that year. After refloating hereself, she sailed across the
Atlantic, without a rudder & with pumps continuously manned
to control her leaks. But for this stone acting as a plug to one
of the larger Holes, she would, certainly have foundered.
A splendid feat of seamanship.
