Ironart at large

Ironart at Belcombe Court, Bradford on Avon

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Belcombe Court, Bradford on Avon, Wilts

Belcombe Court, Bradford on Avon, Wilts

On Sunday 30th May Belcome Court, in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire hosted an Open Gardens day in aid of the Red Cross. Belcome Court is truly stunning and only open to the public once per year. On a beautiful sunny day this May the event drew a crowd of over 750 visitors, and raised over £3,500 for the Red Cross. Ironart’s wrought iron benches and chairs were on display, alongside stalls from Kate Lucas garden bunting to delicious ice-creams, with music by Opera singer Meeghan Shillington. Well done to everyone who worked so hard to make the event a success, and Ironart’s thanks go to Jenny Napier-Ford who is head gardener at Belcombe Court for inviting us to attend.

Belcombe Court Open Day, May 2010

Belcombe Court Open Day, May 2010

Shakespeare In The Park

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

During the Bath Spring Flower show we were approached by Colin Clarkson-Short to ask if he could borrow the Ironart screen that Andy had designed and built for the shows this year.  Colin was co-ordinating a fundraising production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing in front of the stunning Royal Crescent, in Bath and thought our screen would create a suitable backdrop for ‘The Garden Players’ to stage their open air performance. We were delighted to be able to help out, and last week Andy and Luke erected it on the beautiful lawns in front of the Royal Crescent to dramatic effect!

The Garden Players perform Much Ado About Nothing in front of the Royal Crescent, Bath

The Garden Players perform Much Ado About Nothing in front of the Royal Crescent, Bath

 

There were three open air performances over the weekend, with sell-out shows raising valuable funds for two charities: The Child Bereavement Charity and Children with Leukaemia. Each performance offered something slightly different, with good food and drink, entertainment, music, charity raffle and dancing under the stars. On the Sunday afternoon Colin and his wife Rachel Clarkson-Cooke extended an invitation to all for ‘Summer Serenade on the Lawn’. The screen looked fantastic and we were really pleased that the cast made good use of Ironart wrought iron seating with the gothic bench taking centre stage for most of the performance!

Summer Serenade on the Lawn, Royal Crescent, Bath

Summer Serenade on the Lawn, Royal Crescent, Bath

Malvern Spring Flower Show 2010

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Without drawing breath we packed all the furniture into the vans and headed north to the Malvern Spring Flower show. Set in a stunning location at the foot of the beautiful Malvern Hills near the village of Hanbury Swan this RHS show is a regular Spring diary date for keen gardeners.  We met visitors from all over the Midlands, Wales, the South west and some who had ventured from as far afield as North Yorkshire and Exeter such is the draw of the show.

Victoria Park Gazebo detail

Victoria Park Gazebo detail

 

Our wrought iron furniture and garden structures were very well received, with the gazebo earning high praise, and the braziers particularly popular again, partially thanks to the chilly north wind and rain which persisted during the show.

Wrought iron fluted brazier

Wrought iron fluted brazier

  The RHS judges at Malvern were impressed with Andy’s new screen and the presentation and planting on the stand and we were awarded a bronze medal for our efforts. Special thanks go to Judith and Francis Green at Somerset Lavender Farm in Faulkland near Bath, and Lorraine Young at Downside Nursery in Westwood for the generous loan of the stunning flowers and shrubs. We would have been stuck without them! 

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Rosemary, catmint and lavender from Somerset Lavender Farm, Faulkland, Nr Bath

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Rich red acer with hebe from Downside Nursery, Westwood, Nr Bradford on Avon

Malvern Spring Flower show is well worth visiting if you have never been, the organization is superb and there was a lot to see and do. We’re all relieved it went well and the shows are behind us for the summer as the workshop is really busy at the moment and there is a lot to do!