Wallington Hall: Views around the Grounds and Walled Garden

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Views around the Grounds and Walled Garden - 05/07/11

Another new month begins and as it is July, the school holidays will be beginning shortly. The property is now beginning to come into its own, as we move into the second half of the year. Work continues in the House, around the grounds, around the Walled Garden and around the large Wallington Estate; to ensure that it is always seen at its best for all visitors.

The National Trust Team here at Wallington would be unable to carry out all of the necessary work with the help of volunteers. Volunteers are present every day carrying out a wide range of tasks such as: cleaning, restoration, education, house room guides, catering, grass cutting, gardening, fencing, dry stone walling, general maintenance, garden stewards, events help, raffle ticket selling and litter picking.

I am only one of a large number of volunteers who help in the Walled Garden and Grounds. The work that I do may only be a small part of what is completed weekly, but I get a great deal of personal satisfaction working here. It also is good at the end of the day to look at what you have achieved, even if it is something small compared with the big picture.

Part of the volunteering role means that you will always get visitors coming up to you and asking questions. Over the time that I have been here I have found out a great deal about the history of both the property and gardens. My gardening knowledge about the plants, trees and shrubs is restricted to the most common types. I may not be able to answer all questions, but it is good to talk to the visitors and hear their comments about the Walled Garden. Visitors are very appreciative of the work carried out here by all of the staff and volunteers who work at the property.

My first visit was the 5th July and our first job was to finish laying flagstones overlooking China Pond. The finished area will be the base for the new bench which has been specially made at a cost of £7000. After lunch, I returned to the Walled Garden where I edged the lawns and grass beside the paths.

Weather today was warm and sunny in the morning and it became overcast and started to rain at about 3.00 p.m.

Following photographs were taken as I walked through the property to the Walled Garden: