< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSAn English gardenwith a not-so-secret history This month, Lincolnshire Today visits the gardens of the Petwood Hotel inWoodhall Spa to witness the start of what promises to be an impressivegarden restoration.20-23_Layout 1 25/07/2016 13:12 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21GARDENSThe property, which dates back to 1905, was originally builtas a country retreat for Grace Weigall who was renowned forholding lavish parties for the aristocracy of that time. As such,the property itself had to live up to expectations but so too didthe gardens. Indeed, gardens were so important to the gentry at thattime that landscape gardeners such as Harold Peto andLancelot (capability) Brown were in high demand by countryhouse owners. A commission could take many months,however, as it often involved hundreds of gardeners, somanaging to get such a celebrated landscaper to work on the30 acres of the Petwood was no mean feat. Fortunately, her Grace had considerable influence and wassuccessful in persuading her chosen designer, Harold Peto, totake on the project; one of his most northerly creations. Peto had a talent for developing gardens Inspired byItalianate style, but would manage to do so inkeeping with the surroundingEnglish countryside. He would soften structures with plantingand the results were simply outstanding. When the grounds were finally complete, Lady Weigall’sgarden parties became the envy of all, delighting thoseprivileged enough to be invited, including: statesmen sportingheroes, famous actors and aristocrats from all over the country. Over the years that have followed, the property has changedhands a good few times and as Emma Brierly, of the Petwoodexplains, “Despite being immaculately maintained throughoutmost of its ownerships, time has taken its toll on the gardensand we wanted to restore them to their former glory – not onlyfor their historical significance, but also to give our guests andvisitors to Woodhall Spa an opportunity to walk in thefootsteps of the great and good and experience the grandeurthat Lady Weigall’s guests would have been afforded.” “However, as the Petwood is a grade 2 listed building that22 Á20-23_Layout 1 25/07/2016 13:12 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSmeans before we could do so, it would have to meet theapproval of the planning authority – so we set toresearching as much detail as we could on the gardens,collating original photographs and leaving no stoneunturned to discover exactly what it would have looked likeall those years ago.” “One of the most nerve - wracking times with plannerswas when they visited to inspect the balustrade around themain terrace, to ascertain whether our restored sectionswould have to be carved from original stone, or whetherthey could be cast from concrete.” One can only imaginethe prohibitive cost had that decision gone the wrong waybut, mercifully, planners decided the latter option was inkeeping with how it’d originally been made. As Emma explains “Our brief to our garden designers wasthat the restoration needs to be authentic but also needs tobe manageable – after all we don’t have the luxury of asmany gardeners as her Grace would have employed.” Emma and her family suffered one or two setbacks withgetting the plans passed but, perhaps taking her lead fromLady Weigall, was undeterred and this eventually paid off.The thorough and detailed research that had beenundertaken eventually led to consent being given,meaning work could begin in earnest. Once the plans and planting scheme had been agreedby all, work began: digging out borders, improvingdrainage, relaying turf, removing and re-laying all thestone for the walkway through the terrace to allow forreinforcement to be installed underneath and festoonserected, the entire length for the climbing roses. “The roses have been planted in groups according totheir colour,” explains Emma, “to ensure that whenwedding couples book a wedding at the Petwood, theycan be sure their photographer will be able to find thebest possible composition, to complement their chosendress and bouquet, so we’re really looking forward towhen they mature and bloom.” Emma continues, “You wouldn’t think it to look at it justyet, but in that single walkway, there’s some 2,500 plants;and that’s just phase one of our restoration. Although thevista is good now, we can’t wait to see what it’ll look likeonce the plants become more established.” Phase two is already under way and in the autumn therestoration of the ‘Temple of Atalanta should be complete,the second phase will also see the removal of the twopools on the terrace, and topiary pieces planted toVictorAquaticstropical - marine - coldwater - pondPond section now openQuality locally sourced marginal plants andlillys and still low prices185 Victor Street, Grimsby DN32 7QBT: 01472 358698www.victoraquatics.co.ukBring this advert for10% off Open 7 days a week20-23_Layout 1 25/07/2016 13:12 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23GARDENScomplement the area further. Perhaps the biggest job, for the hard landscapers at least,is the task of restoring the remainder of the terrace, as eachpaving stone has to be carefully removed, reinforcementinstalled the slabs and subsequently re-laid in the same order.When you see the enormity of the task you begin to wonderif and when the project will ever be complete but Emma andher family seem confident everything will run to plan.A highlight of the gardens is of course the rhododendronwalk, which delightfully bursts with colour in the late springand leads the visitor to the aforementioned temple area anda woodland walk, which is in itself captivating with manyspecies of trees and wildlife, including some awesome redAcers.The views from the property and back up to the propertyare nothing short of breath-taking and, as the plantsTel: 01529 306 889 • Mob: 07825 577 317Email: marktreesurgeonwhitehead@gmail.comwww.markwhiteheadtreeservicesltd.co.ukAs Tree Surgeons we prideourselves on our expertise andability, with over 10 years ofexperience in the arboriculturebusiness, we are able to perform allaspects of tree work to the domesticand commercial market. So if youneed your tree pruning, felling,planting or stump removal, call todayto organise a free quotation.Mark Whitehead Tree Services LtdProfessional Tree Surgeoncontinue to flourish, the views are likely to become evenmore spectacular. Before we leave we can’t help taking aleisurely stroll through the Petwood grounds – it’s ratherexciting to think that we’re walking in the footsteps of thegreat and good, not to mention the many war heroesthat’ve enjoyed the grounds and there’s something aboutthe ambiance created by the birds singing in the trees andthose pristine lawns stretching out before us. The vibrantflowers and elegant features complement the Jacobean-styleappearance of the house while, hotel guests enjoy creamteas on the terrace and soak in the surrounding views. We look forward to revisiting the Petwood further downthe line and capturing its beauty, once work is completeand the gardens have matured further but, for now, thisvisit still lingers in my mind as one of our most memorablegarden visits in a long time.20-23_Layout 1 25/07/2016 13:12 Page 424 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYThis year has seen the weatherchanging daily and also out of characterfor the seasons. It has been warm andwet; cold and wet; windy and wet, andfinally warm and wet again with somemore wind thrown in for good measure.December was mild which resulted indaffodils making an early appearance, andthe summer has taken a long time to getgoing with flooding in some parts of thecountry in June. With the seasons changing andbecoming more unpredictable, it canhave an impact on our gardens. Howeverour gardens can help to combat climatechange, and this is something that theRHS (Royal Horticultural Society) has beenpromoting following the publication ofEd Fuller from Fullers Forestry andLandscaping shows readers howto get the most out of their garden,no matter how big or small - fromgardening to geocaching. Advantages ofgardeningtheir report ‘Gardening Matters: UrbanGardens’.The report points out that “gardens helpcontrol urban temperatures, protecting usfrom extreme heat and cold. They helpprevent flooding, provide importanthabitats for wildlife and improve humanhealth both psychologically and physically.This is why gardening matters.”By teaching the next generation theimportance of landscaping within oursurroundings, this will ensure it continues toplay a key part in urban environmentsustainability, create habitats which couldotherwise be devastated and also whereneeded help with urban drainage. Somaybe this summer you could encourageyour little ones to appreciate gardens andPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/PHOTOICONIX24-25_Layout 1 25/07/2016 11:39 Page 1open spaces. If you have a small space, or maybe only a balcony, potscan enable you to grow flowers, herbs and vegetables. Potscan easily become fairy gardens or a cacti and succulentgarden for toy cowboys to live in.If you have a larger garden or live near a park, then maybeyou could set you little adventurers off on a garden treasurehunt. Maybe it could have a theme such as numbers. Theyhave to find leaves with 1, 2, 3 or 4 points or flowers withdifferent number of petals. Colour is another theme, wherethey have to find an example of all the colours of therainbow or match all the colours on their clothing. Your biggest garden, though, is not at your property butthe great outdoors. One of the best ways to really appreciateour landscape is geocaching. This is a world treasure huntusing technology. Geocachers hide containers filled withsmall gifts in all sorts of place, they then upload co-ordinatesto the office website. You put the coordinates in your GPSenabled phone or there is a smartphone app you can use andoff you go. When you find a geocache you sign a tinynotebook and swap a treasure. The treasure is usual a smalltoy, similar to something you’d find in a cracker. You can plana day of walking with various geocaches to find on the way. Our landscape, whether it be our back garden or the openspaces within our built environment, is important. That’s whyno matter what size your plot is I would encourage you toget out, garden and enjoy it, especially as you may beinspiring the next generation of landscape architects andgardeners. LINCOLNSHIRETODAY25Specialised Servicesin Garden DesignLandscaping andTree MaintenanceBacked by a highly-skilledand experienced team,we’ve built our reputationon an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored gardening and forestry solutionsFREE NO OBLIGATIONQUOTATIONSFULLERSForestry & LandscapingCall 01522 868717 or 07867 510544info@fullersforestry.co.uklwww.fullersforestry.co.ukwww.landscapinglincolnshire.comGARDEN ADVICEAround thegarden• Prune Wisteria• Deadhead flowering plants regularly• Keep watering containers and new plants• Feed containers, and even tired border perennials, witha liquid tomato food each week to encourage them tobloom into the early autumn• Collect seeds from favourite plants• Inspect chrysanthemums for the first signs of white rustand take immediate action• Harvest sweetcorn and other vegetables as they becomeready• Continue cutting old fruited canes on raspberries• Lift and pot up rooted strawberry runners• Most perennial weeds are best dealt with when in activegrowth - apply a weedkiller containing glyphosate• Keep ponds and water features topped up• Feed your soil with green manures.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/BOKAN24-25_Layout 1 25/07/2016 11:39 Page 226 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYThis month we’ve chosen a short butrelatively demanding walk, offering somememorable and spectacular views. As one of Lincolnshire’s best hillwalking routes, it takes the reader overthe undulating paths across Lincolnshire’shighest Wolds so should also help put torest those rumours that our county is flatand uninspiring (how dare they sir).Part of this route follows the VikingWay and starts and finishes in Tealby, oneof our county’s prettiest villages and,rather conveniently, a village that alsoserves refreshments from the localtearoom or one of the local pubs. Referred to as “Tavelsbi” in theDomesday Book, Tealby’s abundantstreams supplied no less than fifteenwatermills and, in later years, paper wasmilled there (hence the name PapermillLane on one of the streets). However, life has changed quite a bit inTealby from the days when no less than 13tailors, 8 shoemakers and 6 blacksmithstraded from the village. It has retained its peaceful charm thoughand is well worth a visit. All Saints Church Tealby is thecentrepoint of the village with itsunmistakeable golden coloured, ironstoneconstruction. It’s a listed building that datesback to Norman times and the oldest partsof this 12th century building are the westdoorway and the lower part of the tower.Indeed, there are many interesting features,including memorials to the Tennysonfamily. George and Mary Tennyson werethe grandparents of Alfred Lord Tennyson,the Poet Laureate, and, Alfred is said tohave walked across the Wolds from hishome in Somerby to Tealby.There’s plenty of wildlife en route too so,amongst other things, you can expect tosee pied wagtails, painted lady butterfliesand a glimpse of a brightly colouredKingfisher. Our routebegins near the church, sosimply park nearby or in the front streetand stroll through to Caistor Lane.Bearing left, behind the church, weproceed right up a signed track andcontinue at the top through a gatetowards a waymark at a hedge end. Wenow bear half right to a stile in the fieldcorner and, after two more stiles headdown to North Wold Farm. From the farmyard we turn right up atrack to a road, go left for 300 yards thenbear left again on another signed trackdown through Risby Manor Farm to acattle grid. Bearing left along the Viking Way (forthose who don’t know this is a longdistance footpath leading all the wayfrom the Humber to Oakham in Rutland -but worry not, we’re not walking itsCircular walk fromTealby takingin RisbyCircular walk fromTealby takingin RisbyTealby church, built using local orange-iron stone, isdedicated to All Saints and dates back to the 12th century26-27_Layout 1 25/07/2016 13:20 Page 1entirety!) we walk aheadto a stile and then veerleft uphill to a waymarkand stile at the edge ofwoods known as BedlamPlantation. The path runsjust within the trees,exiting near Castle Farmwhich then turns left,down the valley beforeheading back towardsTealby. As we come back tothe final field we headdiagonally to a gate, at the top lefthand corner, and arrive back, justbelow Tealby church. The pathopposite leads down to Front Streetand the aforementioned tearoomsand public houses, where a welldeserved treat can be enjoyed!LINCOLNSHIRETODAY27LINCOLNSHIRE WALKSFACT FILEDistance 4 miles/6kmAscent 400 feet /120 metresStart - OS grid reference TF157909Lat 53.40225 // Long -0.261197Postcode LN8 3XW (approx. location only)Tealby is noted for the Tennyson d'Eyncourtfamily which donated the village hall and schoolThe Kings Head Tealby, Market Rasen is The OldestThatched Pub in Lincolnshire circa 1367.One of the fords in TealbyThe Olde Barn hasregular live entertainmentThe newly refurbishedVintage TearoomsCastle Farm, Tealby26-27_Layout 1 25/07/2016 13:20 Page 228-31_Layout 1 25/07/2016 11:41 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY29BRIGGFor most, Brigg will conjure images of a quainttown with many independent stores and a livelymarket, boasting stalls selling an assortment ofgoods. Dating back to 1205, it proves thatmarket culture is still very much alive and kickingwith the Market Place awash with activity, evenby mid-morning. There’s the usual fruit andvegetable vendors showcasing some of thecounty’s best produce, while a fishmonger sellsthe fruits of the sea, not to mention a hugelypopular farmer’s market which takes place onthe fourth Friday of every month. But of course,there’s more to Brigg than its markets,impressive though they are. Even a quick visit will reveal a town tappedinto the arts scene, encompassing everything30 ÁMore than marketsDubbed thegateway to theLincolnshire Wolds,and nestled on theedge of theAncholme Valley,Brigg retains itsplace as one of thecounty’s best lovedand preservedmarket towns. from pottery and painting, to literature andmusic. The Steel Rooms, with its friendly,energetic staff, is as much a draw for artists bothfrom the area and further afield, as it is for localslooking a bite to eat. With sculptures andpaintings for sale, and others hung on bare brickwalls, it illustrates the home-grown talent andwhat a fertile arts community Brigg has become.Despite only being open since 2012, The SteelRooms seems an integral part of the town, andas much a fixture as the market itself. Live, Love& Create, situated in a grade II listed building,celebrates, promotes and encourages greaterparticipation in arts and crafts, meaning that28-31_Layout 1 25/07/2016 11:41 Page 2Next >