A year at Wallington in pictures, October 2011 - part 11

October proved to be equally as busy as the other months of 2011. For the National Trust Team here at Wallington, more events were planned and staged. This provided a wide variety of things for visitors of all ages to see and do. The events this month started with a 'Try your Hand Day' - themed to give visitors a taste of the type of work and conservation that is carried out around the grounds and estate and finished with the popular Halloween weekend.

The last week of September saw sunshine and high temperatures, my first visit to Wallington in October saw us working in high winds, rain and under an overcast autumnal sky. There were very few visitors to the Walled Garden, the poor early morning weather forecast may have had something to do with it?

Trees in the Courtyard - 05/10/2011

The high winds do a good job removing the leaves from the trees. They also deposit them into the corners of buildings, hedges and borders. At this time of year old planting is being removed and bulbs and other seasonal plants are being planted to give the Walled Garden some colour in the Spring.

Whilst this work is going on, there are always some areas of colour to contrast with the seasonal colours of Autumn.

Colours in the Walled Garden - 05/10/2011

My second visit was to be on a particularly wet day. It had been continually raining over night and it never really stopped all of the day. Waterproofs were a must! On reaching the Courtyard, I was to see that work was in progress erecting the marquee for the Food and Craft Festival. Our morning's work was to put down protective boards for a generator and get other boards ready to protect the grass, when the exhibitors tents were put in place.

My afternoon's work was centred around the Walled Garden Kiosk, clearing up the fallen leaves. There were very few visitors again, except for a school party exploring all parts of the garden. The rain did not seem to dampen their enthusiasm as they got on with their work.

Autumn colour in East Wood - 12/10/2011

Rainy day in the Walled Garden - 12/10/2011

The Food and Craft Festival again was a great success this year with about 20000 visitors attending over the weekend. There was a wide variety of exhibitors in the tents and marquee set out in the courtyard. It was fine and sunny for the two days and this helped to swell the visitor numbers.

Food and Craft Festival - 16/10/2011

Work for the volunteers and gardeners now centres around clearing out the borders and planting bulbs for some colour in the Spring. On my third visit in October, we were given the job of clearing out the borders either side of the House entrance, preparing them and planting 'Purple Prince' Tulip bulbs. I am looking forward to early in the new year to see how they come out!

We worked beside the House all day, although it was a bright sunny day, there was a chill in the air when the sun moved around the House and we were left in the shade.

Reflections in Garden Pond - 19/10/2011

Autumn in East Wood - 19/10/2011

My last visit to Wallington in October was mid week of the half term holiday. Heavy rain during the night at home was replaced by low temperatures and patchy fog on my drive to the property. On reaching Wallington, the sun was out and it stayed all day. As usual during school holidays; children's voices echoed in the Walled Garden.

We were given an ideal spot to work. It was in the 'Hot Border', beside the Conservatory. Our work continues with clearing out of plants past their best, as we move quickly towards the new month of November.

View of the House in the Autumn sun - 26/10/2011

Sheep and mist in front of the House - 26/10/2011

View from the Lower Terrace of the Walled Garden - 26/10/2011

2011 is rapidly drawing to a close, for this series of work I will only have two parts left to write. Last year, I did not get to Wallington at all in December, because of the snow. What will this year fetch us with regard to winter weather?

Looking back at the hundreds of photographs I have taken, it is interesting to see how the Walled Garden has changed with each season and how colourful it became. Visitors have been able to see a wonderfully set out, planted and well maintained garden. My visits to Wallington continue to be an important feature of my weekly activities.