PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION  The Friends are holding a photography competition this year to celebrate 10 years since the refurbished gardens opened in the summer of 2009. We invite all our visitors to submit pictures which capture the spirit of the gardens through the seasons. Closing date for entries - 31 Oct. 2019. All entries should be sent to friends@fccg.org.uk and identified for the Photo Competition. Further information and rules of the competition - see Photography Competition. CHRISTMAS TREE SALE Sunday 8 December, 9.30 - 13.00. Econet will have Scots Pine Christmas trees for sale and the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust will be making decorated willow wreathes and stars and selling holly, mistletoe and pine cones. CHRISTMAS CAROLS IN CAVERSHAM COURT GARDENS Monday 16 December, from 18.15. The carol service will be held quite early this year. The choir of St Peter's Church will lead the singing, accompanied by the Salvation Army Band. Mulled wine and mince pies will be sold from the Tea Kiosk from 18.15. Further details will appear shortly. The TEA KIOSK remains open during September. It is open from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays but not on Mondays. Four charities and Compass Opportunities take it in turn to stock and staff the Tea Kiosk serving hot and cold drinks and home-made cakes. The four charities are The Ways and Means Trust, Duchess of Kent-Sue Ryder, Women's Institute and The League of Friends of the Royal Berkshire Hospital.  (S. Lewis) MADE IN CAVERSHAM FUNDRAISING CROQUET DAY Sunday 2 June A successful fundraising day was held in the Gardens organised by 'Made in Caversham' The event was well supported by visitors, the 'Friends' and by members of the Caversham Croquet Club. Those who participated enjoyed this tactical battle of mallet, hoops and balls re-creating a game which would have been played on the lawns of Caversham Court in its Victorian heyday. The afternoon was enhanced by some lively music from the Abbey jazz Trio and tea and cakes available from the ever popular tea kiosk. CHILDRENS CRAFT AFTERNOON Sunday 1 September Some 20 children joined volunteers led by our treasurer Hester to create a colourful collage for the garden inspired by its flowers. A great time was had by all and the impressive end product had an important message for us 'Flowers need bees and bees need flowers  THE GARDENS THIS MONTH In the eastern border the 'thuggish' tall plume poppies alongside the wall compete for attention with several red flowered roses and patches of Garnet penstemons. Another colourful display in the vinery features attractive blocks of summer bedding with broad-leaved coleus, feathery flowered plumes of celosia, flowering geraniums and brown coloured Heucheras provide a fine contrast in colour and leaf pattern with the dark heads of millet also prominent. Sitting with a refreshing drink outside our much enjoyed tea kiosk, admire the now maturing White Garden with its mop-head white hydrangeas amongst fine Himalayan birch trees which have an equally white bark.  |
