Saturday, 3 June 2017

A warm welcome to the ever changing Ravensworth Forge

GARDEN lovers are in for a treat when an ever-changing Ravensworth garden is opened up for the National Garden Scheme (NGS) this weekend.
The Forge, home of Peter and Enid Wilson, will be open on Sunday, June 4, from 1pm to 5.30pm.
Visitors to the Forge can expect to be welcomed into the garden through a wisteria lined walkway.
Among the flowers on display are the unusual arisaema, or Japanese tiger lily. Ms Wilson said: “They all vary. One is red and it looks like an ice-cream cone. They are weird and wonderful. They are not ordinary.”
Another favourite of the Wilson family garden is dactyiorhiza, a variety of orchid which is dotted around the garden. Once round the back of the forge the diverse richness of the garden is exposed. It covers about three-quarters of an acre.
The garden has been in the Wilson family for three generations, starting with Mr Wilson’s grandfather, who was the resident blacksmith.
Previously it was a vegetable garden which Mr Wilson’s father used to provide for the village and the couple began converting it 25 years ago. 
The Wilsons are regular visitors to Eggleston Hall Gardens and have visited nurseries from Northumberland to Worcester on their ceaseless quest to new plants to grow.
Ms Wilson said: “You name it, we’ve been there. If we like it, we give it a go.”
Eggleston Hall daisies and pineapple lilies abound.
Although the Forge garden signed up to NGS six years ago, former visitors can expect to see many changes.
A 55m wall that ran down the left side of the garden has been removed creating an additional 2.5m of space along its length.
The Wilsons have been working every day since last October to prepare their garden, they have moved the summer house back and lengthened a water feature into the new space.
Many new varieties have been planted.
Ms Wilson said: “It never stays the same. It is different from one year to the next.”
A unique feature of the garden are the plant markers. Mr Wilson uses his blacksmith skills to fashion all manner of things.
A puffin and a wren are among the carefully crafted markers.
Ornaments in the garden are a homage his trade, there are anvils and other paraphernalia tastefully placed around.
Home baked teas and cake will be available on the day and the Northumberland Pipers will provide background music.
Ms Wilson said: “When we started they rang up and asked if they could come. They have been coming ever since.”
Last year the Forge’s open garden event raised £700 for cancer charities and  over the years almost £7,000 has been collected.
l A riot of colour awaits visitors – page 17

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