By Helen Gustard – April 22, 2016
I moved to Bramshott in late summer 2012, when apples were maturing on trees, blackberries lined the fields and lush green was everywhere. I had no idea that the following spring Bramshott would burst into bloom, snowdrops, and banks of wild garlic, primroses, and carpets of bluebells, foxgloves, hollyhocks and beds of tulips, poppies and daffodils. Everywhere looked effortlessly beautiful, natural and I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to live in such a beautiful place.
Since then I’ve explored much of Bramshott and Liphook; admired the exhibits at the flower shows, the beautiful planting and creations of the Liphook in Bloom team, and come to realise that the ‘effortless’ gardens and verges are the result of a huge investment in time and resources and a largely universal commitment to keep where we live looking good. From the tree maintenance team that Adrian Bird runs, to keep our verges safe and well managed, to the recent well attended litter pick for her Majesty’s 90th birthday (Liphook and Bramshott has a serious addiction to caffeinated energy drinks by the way!), there is a lot of energy and informal investment in the appearance of our village.
Bramshott Open Gardens epitomises this ethos, as every two years around 20 private gardens in Bramshott open to the public. It’s a very special weekend, a wonderful family day out that combines English summer gardens with rural charm; glorious and very inspiring. A warm village welcome is guaranteed, and a small £6 fee is charged (covers both days) to fund the facilities provided whilst also raising some money for local good causes.
So this year mark your diary for Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June to visit Bramshott Open Gardens weekend, and all are warmly invited. The event runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm each day, and remains purposefully outside of the National Open Gardens network to preserve its special atmosphere and local appeal.
I visited and volunteered at the last BOG weekend in 2014, my (then) fiancé James was indisposed (hungover from his stag weekend) so he only managed to get himself to St Mary’s Church for a cream tea, and this will be his first BOG experience! He has invited his parents and I can’t wait to share the experience with him. I am still enjoying the memory of a family of red deer bounding across the dell below Woolmer Lane. There’s such a wide range of gardens to explore, small cottage gardens, communal gardens, you can follow some of the path of the River Wey as it weaves through the village, and the Tunbridge Lane allotments will be open for inspiration and gardening tips.
Bramshott is the historic heart of Liphook, it has a mystique probably borne from its ancient history and dark sunken lanes and for BOG weekend it all comes together and welcomes you!
