onionbagblog

To St Mary’s! And the High Street! Via Spindrift Way! …on Saturday: in fact To half of bloody Wivenhoe! …as the ACE Open Gardens weekend engulfed the town once again.

I’ve blogged before about how Open Garden Weekend is the personal highlight in my hyperlocal Wivenhoe social calendar. Superbly organised by both St Mary’s and the Wivenhoe Society, the entire weekend is given over to having a gander around the back passages of your friendly neignbours.

Funds are raised for St Mary’s and Wiv Soc’s chosen deserving hyperlocal cause. But more importantly, the incredible amount of trust handed over in allowing folk to look around your own private space, breeds a better sense of community and co-operation.

Thirty gardens in total took place in Wivenhoe Open Gardens 2012. These included many new locations from last year. Ambitious plans to divvy up both days were long since lost by many folk.

It’s not a race, and after those first few nervous approaches when you wander into someone’s garden, the conversation just flows. Before you know it and it’s time for an early evening recuperation at The Greyhound.

Chin chin.

Dubbed by *some* as RHS Wivenhoe [aha!] Open Gardens 2012 was a washout waiting to happen. The Wivenhoe weather woes of April almost led to Opens Gardens being best viewed by boat, somewhere slightly above Station Road.

But cometh Open Gardens weekend, cometh the conditions to provide a hyperlocal climate that allowed the lushness of the green foliage to forget about the dark clouds of late. Like last year, it was a gamble to stage the event in May. The traditional English summer garden may be a month or so away from full bloom, but roses are for Alan Titchmarsh groupies.

Um, over here, Sir…

But to approach Open Gardens with the aim of only being interested in the herbaceous borders is the wrong attitude.

It’s all about the social.

Gardens are simply the medium in which to get-together, gossip and generally get to know a little more about the community in which you live. I emerged from the first day of Open Garden-ing with a better understanding of choral music, the capacity to eat cake at every stop and even the healing power of a green space.

Betcha you wouldn’t get any of that from pottering around in isolation down the garden shed. Now go and wash your hands…

Ideas seemed to flow out of the many conversations. The incredibly kind hosts are only too keen to explain more about what they have achieved, and to offer help about how to transfer these skills to your own garden.

Walking from top to bottom, left to right, and tips are also exchanged en route by the many programme clasping Open Garden participants.

Pssst! Have you ticked off the hidden delights of the secret garden at number 34? It’s like Babylon comes to Broadfileds. Smile nicely and you may just get some sponge cake down by the garden shed.

And so what of the limited gardens that I got to take in on Day 1 of Open Gardens 2012? A plan was hatched, but the hyperlocal chat got in the way of the route. Which is how it should be, really.

The delightful In Accord started us off with a fine half hour serenade at St Mary’s. The local four piece sang songs full of the optimism for May, setting the scene for the sights of the afternoon ahead.

Garden No.1 didn’t disappoint. We returned to Clifton Terrace, the surprise scene for the absolute highlight of Open Gardens twelve months previous. What should be an assuming slope that simply backs onto the railway line reveals the absolute genius in Wivenhoe gardening.

Lovingly layered out with a series of steps, the space is used to create five gardens in one. You walk down each layer to find a slight variation on the planting theme. The suntrap that is Station Road (seriously) captures those rays to make this simply the best garden in Wivenhoe.

The trundling of trains out towards the back almost adds the sense of a miniature railway at the foot of your garden. Well, it does if you squint, anyway.

It’s not a competition (oh no…) but this Clifton Terrace masterpiece picks up the order of merit from m’blog.

So there.

Transition Town Wivenhoe was once again able to deliver with the ACE Station Master’s Garden. This is the very definition of a practical, working community garden. An otherwise dead patch of land has been handed over to a passionate group that is producing right here in Wivenhoe.

We were encouraged to help ourselves during the daily commute - the veg is there for all to share. Plus *shhh* I hear that the Community Supported Agriculture project up at nearby Bennison Farm is almost ready to start offering shares.

A return to another favourite along Spindrift Way then followed. It was great to see the front of house veg planting to capture the sun was working once again. We very much liked the champagne and strawberries touch, Madam.

One of the finds for 2012 was the very kind offer of the opening up of a private patch along The Folly and out towards the muddy banks of the Colne. Such a grand garden - how great to have access to look around an area that you wouldn’t normally get to see.

The traditional Wivenhoe Quayside landscape is a familiar view. To gain a slightly different view added more understanding to the experience. Plus the photographs from the pre-barrier days when the Folly was flooded was an extra insight.

A short walk out towards Walter Radcliffe Way and we encountered our first whale tooth.

Cripes.

A new development courtyard has been completely transformed into a Colne themed homage to the immediate hyperlocal surroundings. A sail was suspended to add sun cover, and all around were remnants recovered from the Colne. This was where art and creativity meets garden space.

I hear that the garden inherited from the owner’s previous property is half-decent as well…

A final mention for the transformation of the space just off the High Street, with a prayer garden promoting Love, Faith and Hope was in place. Which seems like a suitable ideal in which to promote Wivenhoe Open Gardens.

Away from the main map and there was something of a fringe festival for Open Gardens to take in as well this year. A central High Street location was selling off plants that had been kindly donated to Wiv Soc. Business was as brisk at the No.62 bus heading down the High Street.

St Mary’s also staged a display of the miniature gardens superbly created by some of the younger folk in the town. Seeing the excitement of the little ankle biters in finding that they has been awarded an order of merit was an added Awww… moment for Open Gardens.

Plus don’t forget the random pop up cafes that sprung up around many of the private gardens. As if opening up public access wasn’t good enough, supplying tea and cake just shows how much goodness can come out of gardening.

Wivenhoe Open Gardens continues around the town on Sunday. Programmes priced at £4 should be available from 80 the High Street, as well as up at Toad Hall. The personal plan is to now go from bottom up.

Continue where you left off overnight.

Nice.

Full flickr feed.

To the Congregational Hall! …on Saturday morning to stock up on all the great and good that you get from sewing the seeds of love. Sounds Saucy, Madam? Just wait until you see the size of the sausages that I picked up at the monthly Wivenhoe Farmer’s Market.

But of course meat doesn’t grow on trees. I’ve learnt this much already. An unashamed monthly purchase from the ACE bargain bin beside the Primrose Pork stall, and even the part-time veggie within wanted to devour some RAW meat.

A fiver for five portions of the best burgers ‘n bangers from the lovely, lovely Great Bentley based farm. Saturday night is SAUSAGE TIME around these parts, from now until, well, until the next monthly Wivenhoe Farmer’s Market.

This was something of an even more social occasion within the Congregational Hall. No one is going to claim that the back room is the epicentre of networking where deals are thrashed out over a cappuccino - and thank the chuffers for that.

But the appearance of the Transition Cafe, set up by the good folk of Transition Town Wivenhoe, did make for the perfect place in which to make a few more hyperlocal connections. It gave the morning a more laid back feel. No in / out for your sausage time, but a more sedate space in which to stay and have a chat.

The local traders appreciated the footfall, the produce didn’t step on anyone else’s toes. Being TTW the carrot cakes et al were all loving hand-knitted at home, and then transported to the Cafe du Congregational Hall by foot.

We think.

Rosie and Nadia were as charming as ever (especially when faced with a MEAT fixated man thrusting his microphone in their face.)

Ta, ladies.

listen to ‘Transition Cafe at #Wivenhoe Farmer’s Market with @TransitionWiv’ on Audioboo

A bag of carrots and a bag of onions completed the purchase. You need to two veg to go with your RAW meat, Madam.

Where’s the soap?

Oh yes - don’t forget the now monthly stock up on the delightful fragrance that is a bar of lavender, lovingly made by those lovely people from the Colne Soap Makers. This is proving to be something of a hyperlocal find in our household. Even the best bar that Mr Sainsbury can hand deliver, soon slithers away after one under the arms wash ‘n wipe.

You get quality in a Colne bar, which rather conveniently seems to last the monthly duration timed in with the Wivenhoe Farmer’s Market. Disclaimer: that nice Delhi Man Mike also stocks Colne Soap bars. Disclaimer Disclaimer: Anne and Christian from Colne Soap Makers are speaking @15QueenStreet next month.

Best get scrubbed up.

But first, some MEAT.

Easy, tiger.

How best to celebrate Brenda’s Diamond Jubilee? By reading a copy of The Brightlingsea and Wivenhoe Chronicle of course, Comrades. Yep, another month, another hand delivered [hurrah!] copy of the Esteemed Organ of Truth and Justice.

And whaddya know - Celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is the front page lead:

“To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee at Wivenhoe there will be a party in the park on the KGV on Monday 4th June. Official opening of the events will be by the Mayor of Wivenhoe, Penny Kraft, 11:10am.”

The very decent Mayor of Wivenhoe [in waiting...] runs an incredibly tight ship. 11:10 means 11:10, not a minute before or a minute after. Set your St Mary’s ding dong bells by it, Comrades, rather helpfully being peeled from early on in the morning.

Betcha Brenda will be able to hear them from Buckingham Palace.

The Wivenhoe good news continues on p.2, with the snazzy headline of:

The Wivenhoe May Fair, Offering Something for Everyone

It really is quite wonderful that the likes of a brass band prom, a teddy bear hunt and a dog show can take place on the very same site that Animal Noise will be encouraging bare foot behaviour as the soundtrack to their Sunny Colch meets the spirit of Ibiza ’88 soundtrack

…the bare foot behaviour of the spirit of Ibiza ’88 will be witnessed at May Fair, and not at Brenda’s big birthday bash a week later.

Phew. Glad we cleared that one up.

Equally exciting, but hopefully without the bare foot element is the news that the much mooted Brightlingsea to Sunny Colch ferry service is soon to start:

New Ferry Service for the River Colne

“A new ferry service on the Colne between Brightlingsea, Wivenhoe, Rowhedge and Colchester is to be introduced next month. The intention for this service is to improve links between these riverside communities by providing an alternative occasional and novel transport service, and to promote the river Colne as a valuable local amenity and leisure source.”

Scoop Scarpenter goes on to explain how the new service will not compete with the existing Wivenhoe and Rowhedge Ferry; passengers won’t be able to travel from one side of the Colne to the other whenever the current service is in operation.

Dogs and bicycles are both welcome on board.

Woof woof, chapeau!

Which might also have been the phrase uttered by some of our local political parties following the results of the Colchester Borough Council local elections that took place at the start of the month.

Scoop reports:

Labour and Liberal Democrats Enjoy Electoral Success

Who, what, where, why, when etc…

Labour’s Cyril Liddy won in the Quay, taking the Tory held seat; the LibDem’s Jon Manning retained his Cross seat. This was quite a decent hyperlocal campaign on the whole.

CLICHE KLAXON: the winner was democracy. An impressive 42% turnout was recorded for the Quay ward - the highest in the whole of the borough. The Quay was the only ward out of the twenty to change hands. Same as it ever was (sort of) around the cabinet table at CBC.

You know what you’re getting with a headline of:

Jacqui’s Paintings are Brilliantly Unique

Nice.

“A creative, colourful and full of fantasy art exhibition is running at the Wivenhoe Gallery until 19th May. The paintings are all the work of local artist Jacquie Boyd and are in watercolours, acrylics, pastels and inks.”

Well worth a look before the weekend. Brilliantly unique indeed, and representing a hint of mid-summer freshness in these drought testing weeks of late.

Which must mean that it is almost time for the battle cry of anyone for tennis?

Tennis Club Grows in Popularity

“The Wivenhoe Tennis Club continues to grow in popularity and strength and has recently submitted a planning application to Colchester Borough Council for a new clubhouse. If all goes well, the club hopes to have the clubhouse operational by the end of the summer.”

I’ll drink a Robinson’s Barely Water to that.

Chin chin.

Scoop adds how four teams have been entered into the Colchester and District Tennis League, as well as news of the Open Tournament being staged at Broad Lane on 24th June.

Club coach Jamie Bird has also been recognised for his hyperlocal work, having just picked up an award for Outstanding Work in Development from the Lawn Tennis Association.

A club - and clubhouse - on the up.

ACE, etc.

Parish notices cover the WEA Turner and Beethoven session (NOT a US label import collaboration between Tina and yer man Ludwig, but a one day session at the Congregational Hall on the Romantic period,) the Folk Club at The Flag on 7th June (sadly no Tina Turner here, either) and news of the Jubilee / Wildlife Garden (depending on who you talk to…) at the back of the WTC offices.

So yeah, start as you mean to carry on, Comrades. Everything begins and ends with Brenda over the next few weeks. Bring out the bunting and the Special Brew.

Chin chin.

And so what has changed in the re-submitted planning application [PDF] by the University of Essex to build a multi-story car park, that has led the apolitical planning officers of Colchester Borough Council to recommend that the controversial scheme gets the go ahead when the Planning Committee next meets on 24th May?

Well…

The number of parking spaces has been reduced.

By two.

Yep - from 779 in the original application that was pulled from the agenda last month at the last moment, to 777.

On yer bike, etc.

Oh ye cycling sustainability cynic. There’s actually a little more meat in the re-submitted application that has given the Boundary Road multi-deck carbuncle the green light. Dig a little deeper, scratch a little more in a touchy feely way, and you can see how planning matters are all a matter of compromise.

Well, almost nearly all…

There’s the small matter of £250k heading the way of Wivenhoe, via University Section 106 funding from the Knowledge Gateway. The locals will get a much needed cycle path between the town’s Fire Station and the University, under the proviso that the car park gets the Planning Committee’s seal of approval.

A positive move, for sure, but one wonders what is the need for a cycle path, now that the University is making it oh so very easy to park your car on campus?

Cllr Julie Young of St Andrew’s ward helped to broker the deal, and is keen to take the credit for the back scratching compromise:

“This is excellent for Wivenhoe, the cycle link has been wanted for so long, hopefully consent will be given for the car park and the money will be released, this is something I brokered between planning and the University.”

Sure, cycle paths need to be paid for, and when you are a local authority that is facing up to implementing cuts from the top down, sadly cycling is very low down on the agenda. But building a car park as the means to an end to providing cycling provision is like saying vote LibDem so that you don’t get the Tory bogeyman.

Oh, hang on…

It doesn’t tackle the core of the problem, namely the increasing number of cars on the road around the campus, something that the University is doing little to address. This is a view that is shared by Wivenhoe Town Council.

In a scathing submission to the apolitical planning officers, WTC argued:

“It will affect an overload on traffic routes, produce congestion on roads and have the effect of a reduction in the University’s support of the use of buses, which in term may cause a very good public transport system to be reduced, or even lost.

The proposal encourages car use. The University should instead be promoting cycling, as per their 1995 strategy in which their future plans were to reduce dependency on car usage by promoting cycling and installing a railway halt.

The proposal does not explain how the building of the car park will enhance sustainable transport.”

And so that will be a NO from WTC, then.

Objections have also been received from Colchester Cycling Campaign, C-Bus and the Wivenhoe Society - y’know, the kind of groups that you would want to have on board if you were trying to promote bicycling within the borough.

The esteemed members of the CBC Planning Committee will be meeting on 24th June, 6pm at the Town Hall to make a decision on the application. Bicycle lock up provision is available along the High Street.

Disclaimer: I am rather keen on bicycling.

You don’t say.

Chapeau!

#ridecolchester, blah blah blah, but probably not around Boundary Road, once this behemoth of a carbuncle in praise of the car industry is built.

Oh – a bit of balance: the University is staging a Green Fair on campus on Thursday. Car parking might be a bit of an issue, Comrades.

Almost time for my personal highlight in the Wivenhoe social calendar - almost time for Wivenhoe Open Gardens 2012.

Hurrah!

The weekend of 19th and 20th May is when Wivenhoe resembles a cross town of fauna freaks progressing from one end of the hyperlocal patch to the other; programmes are clasped, tips are swapped, green fingered jealousy is experienced by *some* who have a hit and miss approach to producing a garden of delights.

But it’s all very, very luuurvely.

Last year witnessed many folk from outside of Wivenhoe traveling to the town, specifically to experience the joy of Open Gardens. It is a wonderful showcase for the town, highlighting not only the private that becomes public, but also the sense of sharing and community.

Life-changing relocations to Wivenhoe have been decided upon the strength of the Open Garden experience. Oh yes…

The 2012 programme is now on sale, declaring in the introduction:

“We are resilient people, we denizens of Wivenhoe.”

Too true, Comrade.

The estuary wilds weather of late might have been a little too wet even for a wet kipper in a competition to demonstrate moistness ahead of being slapped around the face of a maiden who is wetting herself in all of the excitement.

Yep - *that wet* folks.

This time last year and we were officially in a heat wave. The gamble to run with Open Garden earlier in the season paid off with great rewards. Flowers were entering the mid-summer maturing period; it was T-shirt and shades on the lawns around Wivenhoe.

Wellies and rain macs might be the wardrobe of choice for 2012.

But for all this drought inducing weather, there will probably still be something quite special to see. Mother Nature is a little like that, throwing up the most beastly conditions, but still giving the green light for all the green goodness in which to rise above.

Gardening sorta brings out the inner hippy in all of us.

Thirty private gardens throughout the town are very kindly being opened up by their owners to share over the course of the weekend. An encouraging twelve of these are new to the Open Gardens schedule.

So where to start?

You need a plan…

The ACE Open Gardens programme details each location, as well as re-producing a map in which to help guide your way around Wivenhoe. Gardening is best experienced shared, but it is also a highly subjective enjoyment. One man’s English Rose is another’s rhubarb patch.

Don’t fancy yours much.

Personal highlights penciled in for 2012 include the chance to look around the historic gardens of Toad Hall, access to both school gardens on the Sunday and the opportunity to kindly look around the Mytrtle Tree Montessori along the High Street.

A personal gratitude of thanks is awaiting the latter, what with the owner very kindly agreeing instantly to a sheepish request to cut back ever so slightly on the impressive leylandii. Thank you very much, Madam. Hugely appreciated, and we hope that it doesn’t distract from the Open Gardens experience.

They say that you should never go back, but just try and keep us away from Clifton Terrace once again. Last year and this was an unexpected gardening find. The slopes leading down to the railway line don’t lend themselves to your typical English garden. Throw in a little Germanic ingenuity, and the Clifton Terrace masterpiece is simply stunning.

Away from the main drag of the thirty gardens and there are many fringe events taking place. A plant stall will be in place at 80 High Street, with all money raised going towards the overall charitable contribution raised by the event.

A miniature garden competition is being organsied for the kids at St Mary’s, which is also the location where the Wivenhoe accepella group In Accord will be performing at noon across both days. You can also catch them at 12 Cherry Trees on Saturday, and 9 Lammas Way on Sunday, both occasions at 2pm.

Plus look out for the work of Wivenhoe in Bloom as the cross town of fauna freaks progress from one end of the hyperlocal patch to the other. This is Open Gardens all year round, with planting put in place that will survive our estuary wilds environment. The EyeCare / Jardine / Co-op Bermuda Triangle has never looked so enchanting.

Programmes for Wivenhoe Open Gardens 2012 are priced at £4 per person, and are on sale now from the Crossways Store, Rollo Estates, Bryan’s the Newsagents and the Wivenhoe Bookshop. All money raised is split between St Mary’s and Wivenhoe Society, who then very kindly donate the money to a local cause.

The programme is also packed out with many hyperlocal sponsors, showing the all round love for Open Gardens. Here’s hoping that the Weather Gods share a similar l’amour for the weekend of welcoming outdoors.

Brollies might be a good bet.

To The Greyhound! … at the rather somber time of *ahem* slightly after midday on Saturday afternoon [just] for the morning / afternoon after the night before. No Dirty Stop Out accusations over here please - this was the very worthy cause of the Wivenhoe May Fair Fundraiser, ahead of the big day out at the KGV on 26 May.

All of those portaloos don’t pay for themselves, dontachaknow.

Dosh is needed up front, and preferably RIGHT NOW. It takes a brave man / blogger to dismiss a bucket being shaken by a lovely little ankle biter of Wivenhoe, very politely asking for something ever so slightly more generous than your loose change.

Saturday afternoon in the beer garden at The Greyhound was quite wonderful. This was the true spirit of May Fair, with the local community coming out to celebrate this rather unique and quite bonkers festival that has grown up on the KGV over the past thirty years.

The link with the past [aha!] was complete with Mr Mule very kindly giving up the increasing demands on his time to put in a solo set. With a Radio Wivenhoe breakfast show, and a Hurricane gig later in the evening, there was something of a Phil Collins [steady] about the Pop Genius, doing his Live Aid London to Philly global dash.

The late luncheon crowd was rewarded with some rare early Cleaners tunes, as well as a bit of Beatles added to the end of the set. Stirring stuff, and a definite scene setter for what was to come.

These May Fair fundraisers are something of the inverse of the Glasto village fetes that traditionally take place post the Worthy Farm festival. That nice Mr Eavis puts on a bit of a song and a dance in a marquee for the locals, as a thank you for the tolerance of the festival that has just passed.

The May Fair fundraiser had a similar community ethos, not just saying thank you for what is to come, but also encouraging the community to come out to play, and to celebrate what is to come in the town over the coming weeks.

Talent was flushed out of bedroom hibernation on Saturday afternoon, both on stage, and in the Greyhound marquee.

Blimey.

The reward for the dedication to keeping live music al fresco in Wivenhoe was a glorious sunny afternoon - which is something that we haven’t been able to say for some time. More of the same please Mr Weatherman, particularly for 26th May…

The bar bolted on to the marquee made it just too easy. Thank the chuffers that the ankle biter bucket shakers managed to offload some of the loose change, before the charming barmaids managed to pocket those excess pound coins.

The music continued with a bluesy feel for the rest of the afternoon. Jay and Fiona’s stunning duet showcased a Wivenhoe talent that could hold its own on any major festival stage. A back garden performance in The Greyhound was a rare treat into the talent that the town is able to boast.

The Pulp cover come the end of the afternoon was *shhh* a Bowie for May Fair rumour waiting NOT to happen. Oh no, not here, Sireee, thank you very much.

And so shortly after 6pm, the Wivenhoe May Fair Fundraiser packed up PA’s as advertised, and then counted the coins and pondered the huge task of what is to come as the merry month of May unfolds.

Staging the May Fair is not a part-time hobby - the planning has been quite intense ever since the PA was packed away back in 2011. Saturday [oh yes] 26th May is the date for 2012. Much bucket shaking, and indeed shakers of buckets are needed to be found ahead of this date. Volunteers would be most welcome.

Saturday afternoon saw a true community spirit in helping to support the final push that is about to take place. 2012 and the 30th anniversary of Wivenhoe May Fair should succeed in its aims, if the feel of the May Fundraiser can be replicated on the KGV.

Many thanks to The Greyhound staff for being such fine hosts.

Chin chin.

Full flick feed.

listen to ‘#Wivenhoe #MayFair Fundraiser’ on Audioboo

Wivenhoe: We have wisteria action. Hurrah!

Like a bedroom bound teenager waiting to burst with the first spurt of summer virility, the Wivenhoe wisteria has finally flowered. I can’t stop sniffing it, to be honest.

Mr Mule’s bonkers Beach Boy ploy on Radio Wivenhoe to bring out the sun seems to have worked. Two hours of Beach Boys being blasted out from the Business Centre with Over the River on Thursday night - a one man protest to complain about the p*** poor weather.

And then come Friday morning, and WOH! Whaddya know.

Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here.

Same again for Saturday morning as well.

It is reassuring to see that the incredibly short back and sides that I inflicted upon the wisteria over the winter months hasn’t stunted the growth. Similar severe haircuts to me as a schoolboy led to playground harassment.

Look who has the last laugh now, Comrades - the wisteria had budded beautifully, and the schoolboy has grown to become, um…

And so what does it all mean?

Well…

The outdoor office is with us once again. Probably at least until 9am on Monday morning. The bees are buzzing, no doubt keen to have a good sniff around that teenage virility. Bless this Victorian house and all that built her.

And *ahem* converted her.

Wisteria seems quite particular to this hyperlocal [OH YES] patch (although I note some Transpontine interest from m’South London Comrades.)

Don’t even mention de-budding the teenager.