B+B at Chadkirk

That’s B+B for bats and birds, as visitors to the Chapel and gardens get to work.

Stage 1: Pick up the flatpack

Stage2: The finished product

….which might be the Ikea model of instructions for assembly.

Down at Chadkirk we do things differently, as the Senior Ranger is on hand to give instructions on construction and also to share his knowledge about the boxes’ potential inhabitants.

Today’s first bird box is completed by a proud craftsman:

This visitor is keen to add a home for bats and birds, making two boxes during the afternoon, ably assisted by the Senior Warden.

And the first of today’s bat boxes made by a father and daughter team out in the sunshine by the Chapel:

The bird boxes have small round entrance holes and the most likely occupants will be blue tits. During the winter family groups, perhaps with as many as 20 birds, gather together in the boxes to keep warm. This will help more of them survive the cold. In the spring most of these survivors will find a new place to nest. But if the owners of the new bird boxes are lucky, a pair will breed and bring up their brood in the box.

In comparison, bat boxes are of slightly different design. The bats land on the underside and then walk into the box through a gap. Bats make use of the box at different times of the year. Although any bats looking for a roost in the autumn may use the box now, it is more likely that they will wait until the spring. During the winter bats need more shelter and would look for some where offering more protection from the lowest temperatures – perhaps in a barn or a cave.

For visitors who took away a brand new bat box, it might be the spring time before bats move in. Then female bats will be looking for a roost to give birth to their young, usually one offspring to each female. As bats are protected species, once there is evidence that a bat is using the box, it cannot be opened and the bats cannot be disturbed. This may help offset all the roosts that have been lost as people reduce habitats and roosts.

We look forward to hearing about any future inhabitants of the new boxes. Even better, perhaps, photos to share on the blog.

In the beginning…

In one of yesterday afternoon’s sunny intervals, an opportunity to re-visit the walled garden with my camera. By chance, there was Pat by the exterior borders pulling slugs off plants and transporting them to the adjacent meadows. It was only then, chatting with Pat, that I learned the story of the planting of the herb beds.

About 10 years ago, the renovation of the Walled Garden was in its early stages.

Pat and Mary had studied old OS maps and books on monastic herb gardens.

With a seed catalogue and the reference materials they planned their spending. They had £15. That’s £15. Not from the public purse. But £15 raised by the Friends of Chadkirk and allocated to the planting of the herb beds.

I’m not sure how many packets of seeds that would have bought then.
However I am sure that if you wanted to get a project like this to succeed it would be hard to find a more resourceful and determined pair. Seeds were germinated at home in their own gardens, seedlings planted out by Friends on the gardening days and then watered and tended. With all that TLC and expertise, over the next few years the beds filled up.

That story continues today as Pat, Mary and the team of volunteers, ably supported by Alan and John, tend and stock the herb beds.

Coming into the Walled Garden on a day when the sun shines and the air is still and damp, the aromatic oils of the lavender can be sensed from 3 metres away. Knowing the story behind the herb beds can be just as uplifting, just as heart warming. Metaphorically, another cordial herb.

Herbs, history and something else the Romans did for us

Yesterday we were fortunate to have the expertise of a professional sharing her passion for herbs with us. A qualified herbalist, Catherine Schofield, offered to spend a few hours in the chapel and walled garden with an interested group from the Friends of Chadkirk.

Apparently we’ve the Romans to thank for the Lavender. Or at least for bringing it to Britain. Though we’ve also to thank the Celts, the Druids, Augustine Monks, the Arabs, the Myddfai family of Carmarthen, Culpepper and Modern Science. Each in their own way having contributed to our current understanding of the way plants can support our health and well being.

Although many of the herbal remedies fell from favour, current scientific research is providing information which tells us more about how they work and to support their use in the hands of a skilled practitioner. Extracts from plants as wide ranging as stinging nettles, foxgloves and teasels can have beneficial effects. For some plants there was a long list of anti-s. Anti- microbial, anti-fungal, anti- bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine. All helpful in a world without antibiotics and modern disinfectants.

Since some of the knowledge gleaned in the past has been lost, or hidden, there were bound to be a few oohs and aaahhhas as Catherine unfolded the story of a few of our common herbs. Of mullein being used as a kind of pre-industrial firelighter (hence the folkname of torch weed).Of pieces of elecampane chewed to banish toothache, or reduce asthmatic spasms. Of teasel flower heads being used in the wool trade.

Among the many contemporary uses for herbs, the favourite might have been something Pat heard from American visitors. They made good use of lovage: drinking their cocktails through the stalks.

Before you dash to emulate them, a cautionary warning. There are poisonous plants out there. Without sufficient expertise for correct identification and the knowledge required for their safe use they can be harmful. Can you be sure of the differences between Hemlock and Angelica? The right dose of one can help digestion if you suffer from low stomach acid and an extract from the other will kill.

A cure for loose teeth? Pieces of roots from elecampane were candied, coloured red and chewed.

After the loss of so much of the folklore and experience of previous generations, it’s good to know that we can all find out more. On the history of herbs Catherine recommended The Green Pharmacy by Barbara Griggs. Information about herbs and their uses can be found in “A Modern Herbal” by Maud Grieve, originally published in 1931 but also available on-line:

A Modern Herbal | Elecampane.

You can find out more about the use of plants in the Middle Ages by looking into what archaeoethnopharmacologists discovered from excavations such as those at Soutra.

Soutra Aisle – Medieval life – Scotlands History.

BBC NEWS | Health | The medical world of medieval monks.

Catherine Schofield Herbal Medicine – Home.

How to have a happy heart

The Apothecary’s Rose is in the medicinal bed of the walled garden herb beds. It is growing amongst plants used by monks for their healing qualities. Appreciated for the beauty of it’s flowers, then as now, it was an invaluable resource for health and wellbeing. Today western herbalists often think of Rose tincture as a hug in a bottle – one of the best cordial herbs.

There are other cordial herbs growing in the walled garden at Chadkirk.
Rose, pot marigold and elecampane have been cultivated for many centuries and used to gladden the heart.

Down by the river

In the gentle evening, a group gathered by the river. As joggers, cyclists and dog walkers passed over Chadkirk Bridge, the group listened with interest.

Since 2007 Paul Griffiths has been involved in the project to build a bridge at Chadkirk. As Project Manager he was able to share his experience and his detailed knowledge of the site. Given his engineering expertise, you’d expect that he would be able to talk enthusiastically about the structure and it’s design. In addition there were many other aspects of the site that came out in the discussion.

The bridge design had been chosen by members of the public when residents in adjacent areas were polled and asked to select a design from a short list of three. Planners had been surprised when the cable stay bridge (similar to, though smaller than, the bridge seen from M60 near Sale Water Park) was rejected. For every vote cast for the cable stay design there were 7 residents who voted for the current bridge design.

A further consultation is taking place about the plans for a Portrait Bench near to the bridge. This is part of Sustrans’ commitment. Visitors to the Chadkirk Festival who stopped by the Sustrans stall were able to have their say on the characters who feature in the Portrait Bench.

For more information about the Sustrans Portrait benches (including images)

The Portrait Bench | Sustrans.

In the coming weeks the Connect2 project team will be posting information on-line for a poll about the local contenders for the Chadkirk Portrait Bench. While Padiham plumped for their famous local witches, we have a more saintly possibility: St. Chad. Also attracting local support: Douglas Tattersall. He was the inspiration and driving force behind the decision to buy Etherow and Chadkirk for the people of Stockport.

The river played a key role in the siting of the mill at Chadkirk. Evidence of this can be seen below Chadkirk Bridge; the weir and the stone tunnels are structures designed to feed water to the mill. Information boards around Chadkirk tell some of the story. A new board will be placed near the bridge and add more to complete the picture.

In the twenty first century, the river’s contribution to the local economy continues. A few hundred metres downstream is the recently installed Archimedes Screw, generating hydro-electric power.

BBC News – Weir screws generate electricity for Stockport homes.

Friends of Chadkirk… get ready for action

Planning for the Well Dressing starts in Spring. Then there’s a week of activity in the Chapel with volunteers creating a work, making the designer’s plans manifest. On the day, there’s something of beauty for all to enjoy.

The Well Dressing kicks off a busy day. So much to see and do. The Friends of Chadkirk seemed a little swan-like. You know what I mean? Relaxed and laughing, enjoying themselves. You’d never guess how much they had done to help the festival flow so smoothly.

At midday there were 500 freshly baked scones; halved and served with a generous dollop of cream and strawberries on the Friends refreshment stall. This stall was popular from the start of the festival. Apologies to those who came after 2.30pm. By then we’d sold out! Fortunately there were plenty of other goodies to be enjoyed. Tables clustered in the walled garden and outside the Chapel were busy throughout the afternoon.

In the morning sunshine over 30 stalls clustered in the walled garden and lined the lawn.

Opening ceremony 2012… Chadkirk Bridge

Not an extravaganza.

There were no fireworks or dancers, no cast of thousands.

Nevertheless… it was a very British event.

Sunshine and showers. Brollies up. Brollies down.

A gathering of the mildly interested mixing with enthusiasts and passers by.

Lots of dogs and their walkers.*

There were speeches, of course. Though for most of those assembled odd words drifted…and…you…thanks… the rest was carried away downstream. Still, we waited patiently, with gentle anticipation. I gather there was a Big Cheese from Sustrans and a local sporting hero. Though no ribbon to cut or bottles of bubbly to smash, once the speeches ended there was the pleasure of being amongst the first across Chadkirk Bridge and a new view upstream.

Given that the project was envisioned by Sustrans it was fitting that a group of cyclists from Chorlton were amongst the first wave.

Standing patiently, horse riders wait their turn. In future the traffic will flow and passing places on the bridge allow room for horses, bikes, walkers and dogs to cross.

As Ted said…No Red Arrows..though high up two Herons wheeled by in one of those lovely spells of blue skies and sunshine. All quietly satisfying. In a very British kind of way.

*Dogs (and their walkers) are also a big part of the pleasure at the Chadkirk Festival. Whether they are as well behaved as they appear, I’ve no idea. A visit to Chadkirk Festival would have you think that they are all biddable and friendly.

Springwatch comes to Romiley?

We may not have Bill Oddie, Kate Humble or Chris Packham. Or any other TV star.We do have our own team of local experts. The warden of the country park ably assisted by two volunteers from the Cheshire Active Naturalists took a group of Friends pond dipping last night. Better than any episode of Springwatch?

Caught in a flash

After the rain

It’s been a drenching time. Days of cloud, wind and rain.

Few gardens can take this battering without some premature losses.
Vibrant flowers such as poppies and peonies looked sumptuous a week ago.
Now their blooms are reduced to dark limp petals littering the ground.

This Sunday morning there’s a break in the clouds, a smear of blue sky and warm sunshine: a delight after the recent weather and all that talk of June Monsoons.

While there’s a welcome breather between passing depressions it brings a chance for visitors to enjoy the garden. More than that, it is a critical opportunity for bees and butterflies to feed.

Healthy plants at bargain prices

I first became aware of the Friends of Chadkirk in June 2011.
A keen gardener, I was drawn to the plant sale that took place on the lawn outside the walled garden.Within minutes I had a couple of carrier bags bursting with healthy plants. I selected several strong specimens of Verbena bonariensis that were a fraction of the prices elsewhere. Ornamental grasses are a favourite and I was spoilt for choice. As I chatted about the plants with the stall holders, I realised that they were all Friends. Friends of Chadkirk. There were people here who knew a lot about plants and they’d germinated and propagated many of those on the stall. Enjoying the banter, and talking some more, it became clear that they did more than just grow plants, or raise funds.

Like many people who live in the area, I’d visited the Chadkirk estate often over the years. Yet somehow I hadn’t picked up on the signs that this group existed.
I suppose I was enjoying the wildlife and the garden; I mustn’t have lingered to read the notice boards.

True, I’d noticed that the garden had once appeared to be rather neglected and now it was flourishing. Perhaps 10 years ago when I visited the chapel, I’d appreciated the strong sense of history, while sensing a whiff of neglect that seemed rather sad. Now there are works of art and regular activities in the Chapel; it has come alive again. Noticing these improvements, if I wondered how it had happened, I must have assumed that the council had got to work and could take the credit.

Certainly Stockport MBC have been involved and the warden of the estate and other staff do stirling work. However, much of what has been achieved has only been possible because of a group of people with good ideas and a passion to see this space flourish.

Now that I knew about the group, I joined on the spot. Handing over my £5 note, I too became a Friend of Chadkirk. Money well spent and another bargain to be enjoyed.

Saturday 16th June is your opportunity to get some healthy plants at bargain prices.2.30-4.00pm on the lawn besides the Walled Garden.

It is also an opportunity to meet Friends and get involved.

Now is a good time to volunteer to take part in the Chadkirk Festival.

The Festival will take place on the last Sunday in July between 12 and 4 pm.

A place for blessings

This afternoon the BBC weather forecast for Romiley was spot on. 14 Celcius and a fine drenching drizzle. A lot better than the weather forecast for tomorrow. Nevertheless, disappointing for the couple, friends and family, gathering at Chadkirk this afternoon and evening. They will receive a blessing in the historic and intimate chapel, followed by celebrations on the lawn beside the walled garden. The marquee is festooned with the flags, bunting of Union Jacks and the French Tricolor. Inside there will be warmth, good cheer and celebration, shelter and comfort regardless of the weather.

Before the blessing, Friends of Chadkirk gather too. There’s weeding to be done. Nicotiana seedlings are transplanted. Pots of red, white and blue petunias are planted.
Much of the work is done by volunteers. But by no means all of it….

Volunteers and staff will meet for a social get together on 14th June.

On Saturday 16th June it’s the plant sale. This is an opportunity to buy healthy plants at reasonable prices. Money raised contributes to the up keep of the garden. Those who visit the gardens benefit and those who buy the plants go home with bargains. Win-win.

The plant sale begins at 2.30 on the lawn to the west of the walled garden.

Corvids keep clear of Chadkirk

Looking over the garden wall reveals a hive of activity. Families and Friends of Chadkirk experiment with old clothing and handfuls of straw as they conjure up a flock of scarecrows. Inspiration came from the Jubilee celebrations and the Olympic Games. All participants received a small treat as a reward. The judges gave special commendation to Sammy Scarecrow (taking time off from Olympic training), Mr Chad’s cheerful smile and The Gardener.

Fine weather is forecast for the next few days and visitors to Chadkirk will be able to sit on the benches in the walled garden with no worries about any unwanted birdlife.

Worzel Gummidge?

The Head Gardener was particularly appreciated by the judges as they regularly weed and hoe the herb beds that he took care of for the day.

A royal visitor enjoys the garden.

More scarecrows, friends, families and other animals

And here’s a couple of cuties that didn’t come to see the scarecrows…the photo is here just because I like them.

A couple of scarecrow makers relaxing after the creative work is done.

Sunday morning sunshine

Today temperatures are forecast to rise to 26 C. Blue skies and bright light.
A stroll through the woods to the Chapel. An opportunity to visit Chadkirk before the heat burns and wilts; when, perhaps, there’s a chance to enjoy the garden in solitude.

As I open the gate and enter the garden, all those slumped forms… for a moment, it seems as if the garden is already busy with visitors who had the same idea. In the space of a breath, a second take.The scarecrows are smiling in the sunshine. In that moment, laughter. Try it for yourself and see…

The impact seems to be the same approaching the garden from the woods. Peer over the wall. A busy scene? No: just the scarecrows hanging out and smiling. I wonder if the families and friends who made the scarecrows know how much pleasure they have given?

Since the scarecrow competition there have been seven days of sunshine and warmth, seven days of rapid growth. Some of the herbs have added so much foliage and flowers, the beds are transformed. Only three weeks ago, on the May gardening Saturday at the start of the month, there were areas of bare earth in this herb bed. Now the sweet cicely fills the space.

When the team of volunteers return to garden on Saturday 2nd June they will be able to enjoy the welcome sights and scents of the garden….before getting out the tools to prune and hoe, weed and water. While there’s work to be done, there’s also the joy of gardening and the pleasure of good company.

Scarecrows visit Chadkirk

Calling all scarecrows…. Sunday 20th May 2012 It’s Open Day for Scarecrows at Chadkirk.

Young or old, male or female, old timers or new comers, dressed for work or play, sun or shine….all are welcome at the Chapel, Chadkirk.

Entry for Scarecrows is £2. They may be accompanied by upto 4 people.

Judging of the scarecrows will take place at 14.30 hours…..2.30pm.
A small prize will be awarded for the scarecrow that the judges like best.

Two types of scarecrow will be able to enter the competition.
A : scarecrows that are made at home and arrive at the Chapel, Chadkirk fully formed and dressed for competition.
B: scarecrows that are created at the Chapel between 11.00 hrs and 13.00 hours (1pm).

There will be some materials at the Chapel to help people wanting to make their scarecrows between 11am and 1pm. Bringing your own materials might allow you to be more creative and help you design the scarecrow of your dreams (or nightmares or something anywhere in between).

Scarecrows who visited Chadkirk in 2011 may be appearing here shortly. In the meantime, if you can’t wait, there are photos by Steph on Walney at Flickr.com

Good news: here’s one of the scarecrows from last year. A lady, or maybe a princess, dancing in the breeze. I wonder if you saw her at Chadkirk. If so, why not send in her story for followers to read ?