Our favourite local garden is closing. It’s a small but beautiful demonstration garden attached to a garden centre, cafe and horticultural education centre. After thirty years of public access, it closes today.
Beautiful photos Miranda, but what a heartbreaking day this must have been to all who worked and frequented the gardens, not to mention the ecosystems hiding beneath. I dread to think what will be built in its place...?
AS for the state of this beautiful world we live in, I am concentrating my efforts firmly on the positive and ignoring the rest - what can't be cured must be endured true, but thank the gods we still have beautiful places to calm our anxious souls... with love - I do hope you're not being battered to terribly by Storm Bert! XX
Thank you, Susie. That means a lot coming from you. You’re photos are my most favourite.
I’ve since heard that the site has been bought by a caravan retailer. The garden centre will be turned over to caravan sales but they say they’ll re-open the cafe and garden. I’m dubious. I don’t have a great deal of faith in caravan sales company to maintain the garden as it has been. I fear it will be turned over to begonias and plastic grass. I hope I’m wrong.
Bert has been windy but beautiful. We had rain yesterday but we’ve today’s deluge passed us by. I took some photos earlier today and will share them in the week when I have a minute. How was it for you? Or did it pass you by?
This seems so unfair! Unfair to the shop owners and the people working in them, and unfair to the garden and to all the people who took refuge there. It hurts to know about this.
But life isn't fair. Life isn't fair but we struggle through anyway, looking for ways to keep going, to offer little positives, to hope for better things coming.
Your writings, so heart felt and vulnerable are some of the positives I look forward to.
That’s so lovely, Suzanna. Thank you. I really hope I can offer some small positive something. Because you’re right. Life is really unfair sometimes.
I know my upset at the garden’s closure is nothing in comparison with those who’ve lost jobs and lost twenty years of their creative input. One really positive thing has been how supportive their visitors and customers have been. One local landscaping businesses stepped forward and offered work to the garden staff. I hope I’ll see some of the staff out and about and find out what they’re up to.
It’s so lovely to see you here, Suzanna. That’s a big positive to me too. ❤️
The photos are gorgeous, what a kick in the guts that is, I always try and look for the positive in change but it seems a little harder to do in this case 🙁
Yeah, I’m struggling to find the positive in this one too. I might just have to break in and keep taking photos for as long as I can. (**sssshhhhhh - don’t tell anyone**)
Unfortunately there wasn’t anything anyone could do. If they’d been warned of what was coming earlier, there might have been a chance for a community fundraising effort, but they were only told after the sale had gone through.
That's a lovely sentiment, Fotini. Thank you. As soon as I'm caught up on all things Substack, I'm going to make the most or a rare day of sunshine in our own garden. xx
Isn't it though! There are three garden centres in close proximity that've closed in the last few weeks. Two of which have (had) a demonstration garden attached and which had the freehold sold from under them. It's like having all your refuges pulled away just when we need them most.
I'm sorry for you AND Pickle. Losing a place of refuge in beauty is heartbreaking. I hope you find a place that soothes your spirit and soon! Big love, sweetie. xo
Right back atcha, Nan! I'm most heartbroken for the head gardener who's been there for over twenty years. It really was her creation--and she's such a lovely, lovely human. One of very few who Pickle is excited to see.
I’m so sorry, Miranda. What a loss. Sending you and Pickle and everyone else who will miss the gardens a big, virtual hug. Thank you for sharing all the beautiful pictures.
Thanks, Jamie. I went back a few times over the last couple of weeks--with and without Pickle. The staff are devastated by very much heartened by the amount of support they've had from visitors. I'm only one of thousands of people who love the place.
There's something primitive and magical about fern fronds unfurling. They have a special place in my heart because of the kiwi family link. I can't walk past one without photographing it!
Beautiful photos Miranda, but what a heartbreaking day this must have been to all who worked and frequented the gardens, not to mention the ecosystems hiding beneath. I dread to think what will be built in its place...?
AS for the state of this beautiful world we live in, I am concentrating my efforts firmly on the positive and ignoring the rest - what can't be cured must be endured true, but thank the gods we still have beautiful places to calm our anxious souls... with love - I do hope you're not being battered to terribly by Storm Bert! XX
Thank you, Susie. That means a lot coming from you. You’re photos are my most favourite.
I’ve since heard that the site has been bought by a caravan retailer. The garden centre will be turned over to caravan sales but they say they’ll re-open the cafe and garden. I’m dubious. I don’t have a great deal of faith in caravan sales company to maintain the garden as it has been. I fear it will be turned over to begonias and plastic grass. I hope I’m wrong.
Bert has been windy but beautiful. We had rain yesterday but we’ve today’s deluge passed us by. I took some photos earlier today and will share them in the week when I have a minute. How was it for you? Or did it pass you by?
This seems so unfair! Unfair to the shop owners and the people working in them, and unfair to the garden and to all the people who took refuge there. It hurts to know about this.
But life isn't fair. Life isn't fair but we struggle through anyway, looking for ways to keep going, to offer little positives, to hope for better things coming.
Your writings, so heart felt and vulnerable are some of the positives I look forward to.
That’s so lovely, Suzanna. Thank you. I really hope I can offer some small positive something. Because you’re right. Life is really unfair sometimes.
I know my upset at the garden’s closure is nothing in comparison with those who’ve lost jobs and lost twenty years of their creative input. One really positive thing has been how supportive their visitors and customers have been. One local landscaping businesses stepped forward and offered work to the garden staff. I hope I’ll see some of the staff out and about and find out what they’re up to.
It’s so lovely to see you here, Suzanna. That’s a big positive to me too. ❤️
The photos are gorgeous, what a kick in the guts that is, I always try and look for the positive in change but it seems a little harder to do in this case 🙁
Yeah, I’m struggling to find the positive in this one too. I might just have to break in and keep taking photos for as long as I can. (**sssshhhhhh - don’t tell anyone**)
This is heartbreaking. I’m oh so sorry to hear this. What a loss to community and habitat. 😩😢Maybe a people power sit in?
Unfortunately there wasn’t anything anyone could do. If they’d been warned of what was coming earlier, there might have been a chance for a community fundraising effort, but they were only told after the sale had gone through.
I’m so, so sorry to hear that. SO so sorry. 😩
Earth is our garden, Miranda. 💛
That's a lovely sentiment, Fotini. Thank you. As soon as I'm caught up on all things Substack, I'm going to make the most or a rare day of sunshine in our own garden. xx
So much loss these days. I’m sorry 😞. Gorgeous pictures though.
I know there are bigger losses in the world right now, but this one feels very personal. But it's always lovely to see you here, Amy. 😊
Hey, it’s important to you, so it’s as legit a loss as any other! And great to see you always too, my friend 👋🏻
🥰
Beautiful post, Miranda. And the photos are magnificent. Another symbol, alas, of our mad, mad world. xx
Isn't it though! There are three garden centres in close proximity that've closed in the last few weeks. Two of which have (had) a demonstration garden attached and which had the freehold sold from under them. It's like having all your refuges pulled away just when we need them most.
Just awful. I am so sorry.
I'm sorry for you AND Pickle. Losing a place of refuge in beauty is heartbreaking. I hope you find a place that soothes your spirit and soon! Big love, sweetie. xo
Right back atcha, Nan! I'm most heartbroken for the head gardener who's been there for over twenty years. It really was her creation--and she's such a lovely, lovely human. One of very few who Pickle is excited to see.
That's really so sad. I hope she'll find a place soon too, so that she can tend a new garden! Squeeze Pickle for me? xoxo
I’m so sorry, Miranda. What a loss. Sending you and Pickle and everyone else who will miss the gardens a big, virtual hug. Thank you for sharing all the beautiful pictures.
Thanks, Jamie. I went back a few times over the last couple of weeks--with and without Pickle. The staff are devastated by very much heartened by the amount of support they've had from visitors. I'm only one of thousands of people who love the place.
Oh I’m so sad Miranda. Thank you for these new photographs. The fern… 😍😍😍
There's something primitive and magical about fern fronds unfurling. They have a special place in my heart because of the kiwi family link. I can't walk past one without photographing it!
They are mesmerising aren’t they! I have to resist filling my camera roll with them (and fungi also!!)
Oooh yes, fungi. Now you’re talking …
Gorgeous photos, Miranda. I'm looking forward to reading what you unravel.