A year at Wallington in pictures, September 2011 - part 10

After the poor weather of previous months, September began with the hope of an 'Indian Summer'. My first day volunteering at Wallington this month, was on a day, which can only be described as changeable. We did manage to do some of our work during some sunny spells. The Walled Garden continues to change and provide visitors with some wonderful areas of colour and imaginative planting to admire during their visit.

Trees in East and West Woods are starting to change colour. Autumn is making an early appearance this year! The property still has a large number of events to stage before the end of the year. It continues to be a very busy time for all of the staff and volunteers.

September colour in the Hot Border - 01/09/2011.

With the new school year starting, the grounds and Walled Garden have become a great deal quieter. July and August saw Wallington very busy with parents and children visiting, and the adventure playground was a favourite place for youngsters.

As we move from season to season, the work changes around the property and specific jobs need to be undertaken, such as cutting of the beech hedges in the Courtyard and cutting of the yew hedges in the Walled Garden. Border clearing, weeding, dead heading, edging and grass cutting continues as usual, on a larger scale.

On a dry and sunny day, the Walled Garden can be seen at its best. I get to Wallington about 9.00 a.m. and walk around the grounds and Walled Garden before starting work. It is on this walk, that I take the majority of the photographs that are appearing in this series.

Clock Tower from West Lawn - 07/09/2011.

New planting in East Wood - 07/09/2011.

View of House from East Lawn - 07/09/2011.

September was also to see the 200th birthday of the northern pre-Raphaelite William Bell Scott, the artist who created the magnificent paintings of Northumbrian History in the remarkable Central Hall at Wallington.

He did a great deal of fine decorative work, for Sir Walter Trevelyan in 1855 at Wallington Hall, in the shape of eight large pictures illustrating Border history, with life-size figures, supplemented by eighteen pictures illustrating the ballad of Chevy Chase, in the spaces above the arches of the Central Hall, this scheme of decoration was completed in 1863-4.

Example of William Bell Scott's work in Central Hall.

To celebrate Scott's birthday, there has been various new contemporary art exhibits in the House and around the grounds. The work has been called 'Unfinished Business' because Scott's plans for the Central Hall were never finished. The artists's work draw inspiration from the eight life size murals on the walls of the Central Hall. Information about the exhibits can be found on 'Unfinished Business at Wallington' website.

The middle of September saw the property closed due to high winds. The remnants of Hurricane Katia was to blame! Branches were brought down and some clearing up was the order of the day. Building work also started beside the conservatory, preparing for  the  installation of a new boiler.

Mary Pool in the September sun - 14/09/2011.

My weekly visits over the last nine months has allowed me to observe the changes around the grounds and Walled Garden. Summer colours are now being replaced by autumnal colours. Leaves are starting to collect in the corners and in amongst the border plants. It will soon be time to clear the fallen leaves in the Courtyard!

View towards House and Clock Tower - 20/09/2011.

Colour in the Conservatory - 20/09/2011.

The 'Indian Summer' did make an appearance at the end of the month. It could have arrived sooner, but the sunshine and warmer temperatures were very welcome. On my last visit in September, it was great to see the historic property and grounds bathed in sunshine again. Leaves are now starting to fall and we are now spending some of our time clearing them up.

Autumn colours beside West Lawn - 29/09/2011.

Early morning sun on the Clock Tower - 29/09/2011.

During September, I have made four visits to Wallington. As we now move into October the work will continue around the grounds and Walled Garden. More events will be taking place before the end of the year. The House will be closing at the end of October, visitors will then only be able to explore the grounds and Walled Garden.

My weekly visits since the start of the year, have been very rewarding for me: creating a weekly photographic diary, working in a wonderful garden and property, meeting and working with other volunteers and helping the professional and friendly National Trust gardening team.