Members of Sampford Arundel Gardening Club have been glad to get out into their gardens sowing and planting now that the days are warming up at last, although with a watchful eye for early morning frosts.

In keeping with the improving weather, the club has moved from indoor meetings to indulging in that great horticultural delight, visiting other people’s gardens.

The first visit was on the fine evening of May 5, when Peter and Anne Etherton welcomed members to their lovely garden at Marlands. The grounds extend to 17 acres on a hillside leading down to a stream. Much of the hillside is deeply uneven and it is thought this is because spoil from Whiteball railway tunnel was deposited there.

Much of the garden is wooded with fine mature trees including, appropriately, a massive Wellingtonia, and the Rhododendrons were in full flower. There are herbaceous borders and shrubberies and a walled garden that is clearly a suntrap. Although Peter and Anne have lived there for more than 30 years the garden is still very much alive and a work in progress, with new borders recently planted.

The club had a very good turnout for the visit, only bettered by squadrons of aggressive midges!

Peter and Anne kindly provided refreshments when members flagged at the end of the visit. Those who were not there cannot imagine how scrumptious the ginger cake was. In thanks, members made a donation to Holy Cross Church.

Next month members are again making a visit, this time to a garden near Wiveliscombe on June 9. They return to Sampford Arundel Parish Rooms for an indoor meeting on July 14 just ahead of the annual Fete and Flower Show on Saturday, July 16. Anyone who would like to join the club should phone Sue and Nick Matthews on 01823 672662.