By Carol Berry
Making Frosterley Bloom
March 2022 and newly free to meet with friends after Covid restrictions. A
small group of us in Frosterley were chatting about our gardens – a subject
close to our hearts. The new interest in gardens awoken during lockdown was
in no way coincidental. We recognised how much our own gardens had
underpinned our mental welfare in difficult times. But several houses in the
village have little or no garden. Additionally, several of the public green spaces
in the village were neglected and uninviting. There are lots of beautiful private
gardens in Frosterley but most are hidden from view. We wanted everyone to
be able to share in the beauty of our beloved village.
The Plan.
The truth is there was no plan; just a sense that perhaps as a group we might
bring about change. We wanted everyone in the village to have open access to
beautiful spaces to sit and enjoy, and perhaps to volunteer with us if they
would like. Currently there are just 7 of us who meet nearly every week and we
would very much welcome others.
It is well known that gardening is a positive stimulant to good mental health
and as a small group we appreciate the value of cooperative working. It never
ceases to amaze just how much we can achieve in one hour. As we work, we
frequently attract questions and some compliments from passersby, who are
curious about why we are there. This adds to the sense that we are doing
something worthwhile.
None of us were professional gardeners; but some had more experience than
others which meant that we could learn from one another. Lance with his
artistic approach had a strong eye for structure and it was he who initiated the
idea of a ‘dry hedge’ in one of our gardens, ably assisted by Verna in the
construction. Usefully we have members of the group who have a good
working knowledge of plants – Joan, Janette, and Julia. We are happy to
research when we need to, and to call upon further expertise when required.
For example, Caroline Beck flower farmer, florist, and garden writer kindly
offered her expertise to plan the area of garden outside Westfield. We wanted
something that would look cohesive, with plants that complement one
another. Though we each have a good knowledge of different plants it can be
time consuming to arrive at an agreement with 7 people all making
suggestions. And it was so valuable to be able to benefit from Caroline’s
practiced eye.
Amongst our number we have the good fortune to include people who
understand the ways of the local Authority and Julia Knight set about
contacting Durham County Council who eventually sent representatives for a
meeting with us.
One of our priorities from the start was to work sensitively with the
environment. We wanted to end the old regime of planting annuals each
season and ripping them all up a few months later. Our planting plans would
include lots of perennials and small shrubs which would come back each year.
We would plant clouds of spring bulbs for temporary spring colour and to
attract pollinators, again to return each year. There would be annuals such as
cornflower, love in a mist, poppies and calendula which would provide colour
then die back, but seed themselves to grow another year.
Clearly a lot of hard work has been required but one of our greatest needs was
money if we were to be able to stock the areas with plants. Julia came to the
rescue and began the journey into accessing funding. We have been very
fortunate – over 3 years we have received funds from Durham County Council,
Lakes and Dales Co-op and John Shuttleworth has kindly allocated money from
the allowance he receives to support local projects. We have also received
private donations of both money and plants. One particularly special donation
was from the family of the late Mary Wilson a resident of Frosterley who along
with her late husband had invested time and care in their village. This went to
buy a large planter and an acer to go in one of the gardens and will be a lasting
memory of a much-loved women.
The process of applying for such funding is arduous, and though most of us
volunteer around one hour each week to the project, Julia frequently gives
considerably more.
To apply for funding, we needed to have a bank account and a constitution.
Our income would be less than £5000 a year; and as we didn’t have a building
and didn’t employ anyone we could self-constitute as a Small Charity.
Formalising ourselves with a constitution required us to introduce the
administrative/organisational structure of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and
Trustees. Again, requiring more ‘behind the scenes work’ of keeping accounts,
minuting all our meetings etc. Planning meetings occur at intervals to decide
what plants we need and what work we need to prioritise. We also have a
formal Annual General Meeting. Probably one of our favourite ‘events’ is our
essential trips to seek interesting plants. Always a lovely social get together
We needed to consider ways to raise funding ourselves. A Plant Sale seemed
like a good idea but obviously we had to supply all the plants. Everyone in the
group and some friends contributed; including Ron Elder from Newcastle who
was somehow persuaded that Community Activity is good even if it isn’t your
community. The Hostas that he provided for our first sale could have been
auctioned there was so much interest in them as well as a variety of other
gems
At the first sale in the Frosterley Inn we had a lovely reception and it convinced
us we should make it an annual event. Each year we have made over £300, but
more than that people said how much they have enjoyed it, and have
returned.
The 2025 plant sale is planned for 11am on Saturday June 14 th outside the
Frosterley Inn. As usual a variety of good quality plants all grown locally,
With the bonus of Tea, Coffee and Cakes or maybe an early glass of fizz as
you enjoy our lovely plants. Come along and enjoy a lovely social occasion
and grab yourselves some plants. Every penny we make will go back into the
gardens.
Please watch out for further editions and enjoy tracing the ups and downs of
our journey to Making Frosterley Bloom
