Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail. 21st July 2018 
Flan Flinging at it’s Finest
The National Garden Scheme has over 3,700 beautiful private gardens opening in the UK each year for charity. Sixty of those are in Wales, from gardens by the sea to gardens high on mountain tops and with a whole range of others in between. But as far as I know there is only one that hosts a fully working Perrier mediaeval siege machine.
The impressive Trebuchet is hosted by Clytha Park, near Abergavenny where you can see it in action on Sunday 22nd July. As a slight detour from the usual jam competitions and woodland walks, six teams will compete to throw the ‘severed heads of our enemies – or appropriate alternative’ furthest down their lake – (it’s worth going to see what the alternatives will be, although after all this hot weather testing my people-patience, I may have a few severed heads to contribute). The substantial ‘flan-flinging’ competition is part of the Pontypool Builders’ Merchants International Challenge, and between you and me, I used to be a pretty good shot with a catapult so am hoping for a go!
Clytha Park will also host lots of fabulous stalls, including my favourite, Tools for Self Reliance (might get a new catapult), as well as a lovely range of eclectic attractions including the South Wales Gun Dog Display, The Border Vintage Tractor Club, Syrian dancing and target shooting (another chance for my catapult!)
And of course, there are the lovely gardens as well, with the walled garden, beautiful borders, a 19th century arboretum, and great homemade cream teas too.
Clytha Park is open from 2- 5pm and entry is £5 with children free.
More details about Welsh open gardens can be found at www.ngs.org.uk
Wild Fires
I recently enjoyed a wonderful weekend of wild camping with Yogi. Sleeping in the back of my truck we watched foxes play as the sun set, marvelled at the shooting stars against the inkiest of skies and then watched the sun rise over the still sleeping valleys.
Wild camping is illegal in Wales, so the trick is to find a friendly farmer and be respectful. Ask permission and leave nothing but gratitude. If you want barbeques, fire pits and parties, go to a campsite. And even then, please, please, please be responsible; the vegetation is tinder dry at the moment as the numerous mountain fires testify. The description ‘spreading like wild fire’, is an accurate one.
And it’s not just on the mountain and moorland which is susceptible; I have heard horror stories of people’s gardens being ignited by unattended fire pits and barbeques and a local campsite had to deal with a fire started by someone putting a hot disposable barbeque into a bin. C’mon, people, yes it’s hot but that’s no excuse to take leave of your senses.
Cut Backs
I have started to cut back a lot of wilting herbaceous plants in my garden and client’s gardens too. Watering isn’t always feasible and, anyway, it encourages the roots to rise to the surface where they will be extra vulnerable if we do have a hosepipe ban. So I am executing a late Chelsea Chop (which is when you cut back plants in late May, around Chelsea Flower Show, for better blooms later in the summer) in an attempt to relieve the plants of their top growth. This should reduce their stress, as they no longer have to maintain the foliage and faded blooms. Hopefully, we’ll have a bit of rain before too long and that will enable a second flush of blooms later in the season.
An Apple a Day
This prolonged dry period is definitely stressing a lot of plants and trees and also wildlife. I am feeding my garden birds and the feeder is as popular as it was in the winter and I have also added shallow dishes of water for them to drink and bath in. The hard-baked earth is restricting worms and insects for the birds, and one of the best things you can do is cut an apple in half and stick it on the branch of a tree or shrub for them; blackbirds in particular will appreciate it.
Badger Someone to Take You
How about this for a special way to spend an evening? Badger watching at Dinefwr Park, near Llandeilo. As well as numerous events geared for happy school holidays, their popular badger watch evenings are back. Running until next month, you can watch the badgers in their natural habitat from the purpose built hide in the medieval deer park at the National Nature Reserve. Booking is essential – call 01558 824512 – or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr
Did you know that the Welsh for badger is mochyn daear, and the lovely literal translation is earth pig.
Leave a Reply