I wonder if Ellen Willmott knew what a pain it would be for future generations – which means us volunteers – when she planted bamboo in her garden. One of our tasks has been to contain it, which means back-breaking work pulling up the spreading roots and digging a small trench round the area in which it is allowed to grow to stop it taking over the whole garden. Oh well, it beats clearing up the leaves, which can be pretty boring, and those roots make a very satisfying crackle when they burn. Actually although paths coated with leaves can look very pretty, they can also be quite slippery in wet weather. This can make the sloping paths particularly hazardous, which is the main reason why we clear them. The lovely sieved leaf mould also brings in much needed revenue.
Colours
The daffodil bank has had its regular haircut, the bracken, nettles, brambles and rosebay willow herb being pulled so that the spring flowers can be seen to their best advantage. The clearing of weeds generally, not only those listed above but also ivy, thistles etc, has to be done with the welfare of the various species of fauna in mind.
A lot of the colour has gone from the ground level at the time of writing, with even the fat colchicums in the old orchard area and the more delicate autumn crocuses in the walled garden and opposite South Lodge mostly flopping over or gone altogether. The trees are a different matter though, the amazing variety of colours in their foliage being something to behold. If you did miss it this year, next year do look at the vivid colours of the Parrotia (between the Spanish chestnuts and the bridge over the gorge) in autumn and again look closely at it in the early spring with its tiny red flowers.
Bye-Bye Tree of Heaven
We were surprised to find when coming in to work one Monday that the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) had fallen over, breaking into what seemed to be thousands of pieces as it did so. Close investigation showed that the base of the trunk had rotted almost right through and it's amazing it stood for so long. Fortunately it had suckered and some quite large offspring are growing close by so we will one day again see its majestic branches reaching up into the sky.
More Hard Work...
As with previous years, a lot of hard work has gone into clearing felled trees, the brash being burnt but the larger parts being cut up and split into logs. These, like the leaf mould, are sold to bring in money which is used for continuing maintenance of the reserve.
The terrace is very nearly complete now, although the ramp down to it has to be widened, consolidated, and generally made safe.
The specialist group continues to meet once a month with a very flexible brief. Originally formed to identify previously unidentified plants, a task that it still carries out, its interests have expanded to include furthering interested volunteers' knowledge of plants; identifying and recording archaeological features as they are found; replacing tree tags that are found to be damaged or missing; checking on the condition of rarer plants, and propagating from them if possible before they expire.
If you want to know more...
For those who want to read more about Ellen Willmott and Warley Place you might like to know that Audrey le Lievre's book Miss Willmott of Warley Place is now available in paperback from Faber Finds. Just ask at the Brentwood branch of Waterstones' – they have some in stock or can get it for you for £15 if they have run out. You can order it on line at a lower cover price but with the post and packing added it is a little more expensive that way.
2009 Programme
Now is the time to ask for volunteers to man the gates during the spring open weekends, which in 2009 run from Saturday 28 February to Monday 13 April. Fiona Agassiz has kindly volunteered to organise the rota again this year so please ring her on 01277 230436 if you can help.
Our annual snowdrop walks will be on Wednesday 11 and Sunday 15 February, 2009 at 10.45 am.
Finally big thanks to those who helped with the celebration to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Ellen Willmott's birth and the 30th anniversary of the opening of Warley Place to the public. We are particularly indebted to Rosemary Turp and Dan for offering the use of Wellmead for the event.
Warley Place News
