History.

Our Cottage Garden

History.

Approaching retirement from flying, with a passionate gardner as the new boss in waiting, we attended a super wedding on the rural border of Shropshire and Worcestshire. This entailed a night stay in Ludlow. Said "TNBIW"," I'd love to live near a place like this". Two years later, in 2004 we moved in. They say people retiring from full-time employment wonder how they found time to go to work! IT'S TRUE!

Now I'm a full time small estate manager in training, UNPAID!

Extension of terrace garden above, west to east, to add curve from western side view. This view also shows the trellis that was here when we arrived but by this point I have painted it. This was a totally mind numbing job painting all those squares and I did one section per day till it was all finished in February 2005. The day I finished the under gardener asked if I would not have prefered it painted black!

April 2004. Before we moved to Holmcroft.

First look at this space in the garden, pictured above and my mind went into overdrive as to what could be accomplished with this area which we felt was just crying out to be developed.

Note the state of the camomile to the right of the strip of grass in this winter 05/06 picture to the left, compared to page 1 photgraph taken in 2005. Now in May 2006 it is approaching the 2005 picture state once more. It would appear that each year we "lose" some of the plants so we order 50 mail order plants, grow them on and fill in the gaps!

A long awaited project for a rank beginner. Head Gardener does the main site, Under Gardener is vegetable apprentice and has the T-shirt!

Work continues!

Holmcroft in the 1970/80's

Over fifty years ago a young bride came here to the cottage and remained till her husband died. This is her garden which over the decade after she left disappeared under weeds and a tangle of neglected planting. Only the garden close to the cottage remained intact. We are reclaiming this garden piece by piece and adding touches of our own. We hope she would have approved.

A glimpse of Holmcroft from the past.

Holmcroft pre war

Part of the terraced garden c1930

Most of the wall in this picture is still here today. The garden in the left hand side of the photo has changed though.

The lounge post 2nd World War

Holmcroft in the snow.

picture c 1960