Gardens inspire poetry, poetry inspires Gardens. The urge to be creative during lockdown has been fuelled, happily, by many tv programmes, blogs and online memes. Hopefully the creativity will not be lost as we emerge slowly from our hibernation. The radio poet Ian Macmillan, the Barnsley Bard, works extensively with arts groups in Yorkshire. Attached is…
A volunteer and member of the U3A (university of the third age) Art Class, which takes place in the Gardens, sent us some lovely pictures she has painted during the sessions. A great way of remembering a time when she, and others, could take their reflective and creative time in the Gardens. Thanks Anita. Enjoy…go…
Our call out for your SmileStone creations to build ‘social distancing’ markers in the Gardens is beginning to take of… These have been delivered to our gates in the last week. AMAZING Thank you so much – keep’em coming! (your creations can be dropped into the flowerpot at our gate – we’ll use them to…
When we re-open the Gardens – whenever that will be – we know that social distancing will be a ‘new normal’ for some while… So, the (still working) team here have been thinking about what that would look like. We want to help people feel safe when they come to visit, and know that others…
We love treasure hunts of all kinds in the Gardens.. We know too that there are lots of other seek and find activities in and around the Gardens, the historic Parkland and the village locally – Pokemon Go of course, Wizards Unite and our own ‘Mystery Mutts’ Doggy Treasure Hunts. But how many of you…
Looking forward… Volunteers have been central to pretty well every event and activity in the Gardens for decades, we are really missing their input and daily conversation. So many people also contribute in the background by making, doing, cooking and inventing. Here is one thing which anyone could get involved in and help us with……
Really gutted we couldn’t do our Alice in Wonderland Easter Egg Hunt this year… Maybe we’ll turn it all upside down and send it through the Looking Glass and do something later in the year…. when things are ‘normal’ again. If you and the littl’uns still have room for bunny and egg based fun, take…
We had hoped to keep the Gardens open for ‘contactless’ walks and explorations – especially for our younger visitors who like to experience the magic of all the intriguing spaces and easily accessible nature. Until we can do that again, here are some of the inspirational people and ideas who are now sharing on the…
Due the success and rapid growth in popularity of our Unplug and Play family activities ‘brand’, we are now seeking to contract an individual, or small team, to lead, manage – and possibly develop – the delivery for 2020 and possibly beyond. We are inviting expressions of interest from individuals or small teams to work…
Half Term Family Friendly Activities in the Gardens Make the most of the warmer weather to get out and about in the open and discover nature. Self Guided Trails all week There’s a caterpillar flower trail for the littl’uns and for everyone, try our ‘invent a plant name‘ to stretch everyone’s creative powers. 3 days…