“When I consider every thing that grows…” Have a go sonnet session

Drop by the Gardens on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon and have a go at scribing your own sonnet.

Poet and comedian, Rachel Sambrook, will be on hand to help people get all their words in a row.

Everyone is welcome; young (or not), confident wordsmith or shy scribbler.

You can add a word or two, or four or more, to our collective group poem. Or decide to spend a little time crafting your own personal 14 liner

Rachel will be in the Gardens from 2pm on Monday 29th May.  Come and join in, no need to book

Festival 36 comes to B36

This summer Solihull is celebrating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio – the book which brought together 36 of his plays for the first time.

One of the 50 remaining copies in the UK will be on show at the Core Theatre in July.

Leading up to that there lots of activities across over the Borough as part of Festival 36..

The Gardens loves everything Shakespeare – he had many a word to say about the kind of plants we grow! – so we are thrilled to be part of the festival

It’s Sonnets Session on Monday 28th May

and ‘Bards ’bout the Gardens’ on Saturday 1st July – follow actors as they walkabout the gardens wooing us with choice words. Normal entrance fees on the day, free performances and activities for all.

Sunday July 2nd (5pm) grab a seat for the Crescent Theatre’s open air production of Taming of the Shrew . More info here 

By the Way … the quotation in the title comes from sonnet 15

When I consider every thing that grows
Holds in perfection but a little moment,
That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows
Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;
When I perceive that men as plants increase,
Cheered and checked even by the self-same sky,
Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,
And wear their brave state out of memory;
Then the conceit of this inconstant stay
Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,
Where wasteful Time debateth with decay
To change your day of youth to sullied night,
And all in war with Time for love of you,
As he takes from you, I engraft you new.