Courses
Our day courses have been busy this month. The Marvellous Moths group visited the morning garden to unpack the contents of an overnight moth trap followed by a walk round the garden spotting and learning about the fascinating world of garden invertebrates. Led by our Wildlife Advocate at the gardens, Dr. Chris Gibson. This will also be repeated next month.
Our monthly Chatto Art Group also met to continue to explore the artistic opportunities of the garden. This friendly group is open to all on an individual drop in basis or as a club every month. We welcomed Nancy Stevenson, author and finalist in the Essex Gardens Trust writing competition as a new tutor this month. Nancy led a Creative Writing Workshop on a beautiful Saturday which was much enjoyed. Another new course for June was the Modern Botanical Painting course. This popular course produced some fantastic work inspired by flowers from our stock beds.
Market Field – Beth Chatto Education Trust Certificate in Introductory Horticulture
The second cohort from Market Field School and College proudly completed their 10-week course this month. Funded by the Beth Chatto Education Trust and the Finnis Scott Foundation this course offers a practical, accessible entry level course into the basics of horticulture. Some fantastic portfolio work was presented by this group who all worked hard and achieved their certificate; two students at merit level. Our last session saw the young people presented with their certificates and a celebratory fire cook to celebrate. Well done, we are very proud of you!
‘We were so pleased to work with such enthusiastic learners and spark an enduring interest in plants with several students taking what they had learnt home to practice’ Joy – Beth Chatto Education Trust group tutor
‘Thank you so much for your support with the sessions at Beth Chatto, it was such a wonderful experience for the group. They were a little glum on Monday, when they had to go back to their timetables of maths and English!’ Karl Delaine – Class 5 tutor
School Visits
We had a very busy month for school visits, welcoming seven schools to the garden from Reception to Year 7. Activities included Seed Dispersal, Lovely Leaves, Wild vs. Tame, Garden Birds, Potting, Land Invertebrates and Who Am I? to name a few!
‘Firstly, I would like to say an enormous thank you for what was definitely the most enjoyable school trip we have ever done! The girls are still talking about it.’ – St. Mary’s Lower Schools
‘Thank you so much for a fantastic trip on Thursday. The children loved it and despite the wet weather it was a great day.’ – Alresford Primary School
‘Just wanted to send a quick email to express my thanks for yesterday's trip. The children all had a brilliant time and could recall so many of the fine details of our trip at school today! As a teacher, I can't remember a trip that was easier to manage or that ran so smoothly, and that was 100% down to your expertise, time management and manner with the children 😊 I look forward to returning next year and hope Magpies class have a similarly wonderful trip in a couple of weeks!’ – Braiswick Primary School
RHS Exams
We are a registered RHS exam centre and our RHS Level 2 students sat their first exam at the end of June. We wish you all the best with your results and look forward to welcoming you back after the summer for the second study year.
Alzheimer’s Society Summer Sessions Pilot – No.3- Summer Garden Tour and Cream Tea
The third of our summer sessions for people and their families living with Dementia. This month the group enjoyed a tour round the garden in the beautiful month of June and were also lucky with some lovely warm weather. The group then retired to the Willow Room to enjoy a cream tea and cake. It was great to see some familiar faces from previous sessions and have a catch up! We look forward to seeing you again in July for our last session Art in the Garden.
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