July 2017 – Summer Soiree at The Dove House – Rosemary & Barry Jones

On July 6th, 2017, Rosemary and Barry Jones were delighted to welcome around 50 Club members to a Soiree in their garden at The Dove House, Rectory Lane, Fowlmere.

The Dove House really was a house for doves back in the seventeenth century.  Over the years, it has been altered and extended by its many owners.  The house sits on 0.6 acre with gardens that can be seen from every window.  When Rosemary and Barry moved in three years ago, they realized that the 100 trees on the property needed management.  In particular, the back garden was like a small wood dominated by a yew tree close to the house.  With permission from the Tree Conservation Officer, work was carried out on 43 trees.  Seven large ones, including the yew, were felled.  Tidying up the resulting ‘lumber yard’ and digging out the roots of the yew took many months.  Once the back garden was cleared, 16 trees were reinstated as a cordon of fruit trees with 5 more planted in the orchard at the front.  With turf only laid a week before the Soiree leaving some unfinished paths and ‘wild life’ areas, the Joneses hoped guests would recognize that the garden was a work in progress!

After a few worrying drops of rain, the weather was kind on the night.  Armed with welcoming drinks, Club members were invited to wander round the garden.  There were raffle tickets to buy, a plant stall to peruse and a single rose competition to view (won by Angela Rimmer).  Most took part in Barry’s quiz which naturally was about “trees” with a few eponymous film titles thrown in, which after a tie-break was won by John and Angela Rimmer. Those who ventured into the back garden saw the newly established vegetable patch with its raised beds and the recently acquired bees and hive in the far corner.  Later buffet food was served from the marquee. There was a convivial atmosphere as people relaxed at small tables arranged in the orchard and around the pond appreciating the last of the setting summer sun.

Towards the end of the evening, Club members wished Sue Pinner, a very happy “special” birthday and Mary Duff thanked the hosts and everyone for coming and making it such an enjoyable occasion.

Rosemary and Barry found hosting the event a real pleasure. They thank Mary Duff, Jill Vinton and Jane Dring for their invaluable assistance planning the evening and for their contributions to the buffet and raffle. Their grateful thanks also go to Robin Dring for arranging and collecting the tables and chairs from the school; to Mel Vinton and Ken Allsworth for their help with the marquee and the bunting and to Jenny Brew for running the plant stall. It was a real team effort!

Rosemary Jones

 

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