News 2010 - The Medicine Garden

Hi all

Again a big thanks you to all our visitors and all the continued positive feedback.

At last some rain has come to green up the lawn, which was much needed despite all the watering we have been doing. Now if it would just rain at night and stay nice and warm during the days we would have the perfect Medicine Garden weather for growing, planting and relaxing in the garden.

If you haven’t done so yet please come around before lunch to see the full splendor of our awesome “wall of glory”. One of our volunteers has been tending the Morning Glory, which he grew from seed since the early spring and it now looks great. Big thanks Alex!

Shopping

Despite being late in the season we still have plenty of colour to choose from in the plant shop including some fantastic scented roses and the last few Hydrangea of the season. There are also new garden tools, some beautiful jewelry from one of our new MG family members due to join us in the next few weeks and lots of great smelling soaps. Come in and take a sniff.

Buggy time

One of the most exciting additions this week has been the acquisition of our very own golf buggy. I am very aware that there is quite a walk to get from the car park to the courtyard, (I do it enough times during the day!) and some of our more elderly and less able visitors are finding it hard to make this journey with some quite put off by the thought of it.

We can now offer a lift to and throw in the golf buggy. Please either ring ahead on 01932 589536 and let us know what time you are coming or if you are with a friend please send them to the café and ask for a lift.

Its fun fast and a lot easier! We can also take you, your plants and compost to your car to save you pushing the trolleys up the garden path when you are buying more than a bagful.

Eating all the pies

The Hothouse Café has been working on a new menu and now offers brunch and lunch as well as the sandwiches; toasties, cakes and other delicious home made treats!

They are also pleased to announce new arrival in the form of locally produced pork pies which are an absolute must try so forget diets bikini fit bodies and stuff your face now and then for a bit o a treat.

Whichever good medicine you decide to choose, enjoy and enjoy again.

See you soon

Paul

Our First Few Weeks

What an amazing couple of weeks I have had. I am absolutely taken aback by the support and enthusiasm I have experiences since opening the doors to the public.

A massive thanks you to every one who has been to visit and especially those of you who are coming back regularly and spreading the word throughout the community. The response to the project is well beyond my expectations.

We are all on a steep learning curve and taking on board all the comments and suggestions that have been made either on site or through the website.

I hope that you will gradually see changes and enjoy regular updates by visiting as much as possible.

Some of our small businesses are now into the units and the remaining ones will follow over the next 4-6 weeks.

I am very please to welcome Eyles and Boo our resident interior designers who also make some fantastic gifts for our shop, The great big event Company who will be working with us on some of our events and Artefacts who have now complemented our courtyard with garden antiques and artifacts well worth a look at.

We now have some fantastic plants, garden tools and gifts for sale at great prices and advice on hand if you need some help.

Last but most defiantly not lease come and enjoy the superb coffee and home made food at The Hothouse Café where we are currently developing a new menu including children’s picnic boxes so that they can camp out on the lawn and have lunch allowing you to relax even more in the garden.

Again massive thanks for all the support to date and I hope to see you soon.

Paul

Hi all.

Firstly, big apologies for this being the first update since way back in the winter!

I am now going to be updating you via our new news page as the blogg hosting has all gone pear shaped hence the long break.

We are open

I am glad to say that after a frantic few months and 4 long years The Medicine Garden will finally be open on Wednesday June 16^th.

We had a friends and family day this Saturday which was fantastic! There was a great turnout, the weather was beautiful and the food and refreshments in the café went down very well indeed.

I would like to give a great big thank you to all those who came to help make a magic day. I would also like to thank all those who have worked so hard in the background helping to bring my vision alive.

A soft opening

This years opening is far from the finished project but is the first step on a public level. Most of the units are rented out and the rest will soon be filled. There are a couple of events planned for this year so keep and eye on the news and the key elements are here.

We have a great café and some beautiful plant sales.

Over the next 12-18months work will continue on refurbishment works, improvement of the garden and business development with a view to re-launch the site in 2011.

The Garden

The main garden is now looking pretty impressive. Although it is at the very early stages of its new life it is now beginning to take structure and provides a lovely space to relax and take in the beauty of the space.

Work on improving the garden is constantly ongoing and will be for a good few years to come. There is now quite a selection of vegetables growing and eight lovely olives set in the compass points.

The garden is available to hire for weddings, private functions and corporate events. Please pop in and have a chat if you want any more info.

The Hothouse Café

Come and sample some of the great fresh local and home cooked produce at the Hothouse Café. As we haven’t been able to refurbish the original Hothouse yet this family run café is temporarily in the potting shed and boiler room.

Some of the produce form our garden will be used in the menu, keeping it seasonal and very fresh!

The guys have done a fantastic job, pulling this together in about 2 months and the food and drinks are superb. It’s an absolute must to come and take a coffee at the very least.

Work will continue on refurbishment and restoration of the actual Hothouse this

Year.

The Plant Shop

I have a great selection of my recommended plants for you to come and purchase in our garden shop. There are plants of all sizes from Geraniums at £2 each to Olives at £1800. My self or my assistant will be on hand for expert plant advise and if we don’t have what you are after we can usually get it within a week any plant any size.

If design help is needed then Mimosa landscapes are at hand to work with our plant sales bringing you project to fruition.

There is also a range of planter and pots as well as some tools and garden gifts.

We can deliver larger items and even plant them for you too!

The Community

Our courtyard community is already building with the additions of the new independent small business’ that are moving in.

They are:

Mimosa Landscapes

Award winning garden design and construction and the driving force behind the restoration works on site.

Topright Design

A fantastic graphic design agency.

Artefacts

Garden artifacts and antiques for sale within our plant sales area.

The Great Big Event Company

Bespoke events, weddings and vintage tea parties.

Eyles & Boo

Interior designers and curtain makers.

That’s it for now so come and visit.

Paul