Inside Oxton's Not So Secret Garden
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free to members the November 2017 Newsletter Inside Oxton's Not So Secret Garden Gareth Twigg is possibly Oxton's most made it look so idyllic. As well as the famous (and not so secret) gardener. Gareth garden, there were interviews with Jay is Principal Contra Bassoonist in the Royal Little, Secret Gardens organiser and a Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. couple of well known Secret Gardens He and his garden, and briefly his bassoon, owners, as well as brief slots for shops featured in TV's recent 'Garden Rescue' in the village including Greens. programme, when the team of designers, One fantastic feature of the house led by Charlie Dimmock, gave his tiny rear and the garden are the great long views garden the full makeover treatment. across south Wirral and over to Wales It was Gareth's mum who pointed the and Cheshire, seen to good effect from programme out to him. Gareth saw a cou- the first floor living room in the town ple of the programmes and decided to ap- house. The view of the garden from ply, filling in the form to give it a go. 'It's a above makes a good foil for these long different kind of house so we thought they distance views. might be interested' he says. 'I mentioned What was it like? 'It was a really posi- the Secret Gardens on the application and tive experience' says Gareth, "and yes I'd they did run with that. But I didn't realise definitely do it again'. The programme that they had done all the back stuff, with team came up to Oxton before the work interviews with the Secret Gardens organis- started, to show Gareth the designs, and ers though' then returned a couple of months later. Gareth says he was really delighted that They started the hard landscaping work the programme showed Oxton Village and first and then had a second day shoot- Oxton's Blue Plaque Unveiled - Special Supplement Inside! ing with the designers. 'The designers restaurant and thought it would be a were really nice', says Gareth, 'and I was great place to live. pleased that is was all so innovative. The It has made Gareth a bit of local celeb- steel box is the best thing because the rity: 'I did get recognised by a lady and garden was so slopey. The overall look her mum at Lime Street ' he says 'Have of the whole garden is really surprising'. you just had your garden done?, they Though Gareth is not sure about the said. Though I did have my bassoon on little wilderness patch at the back of the my back at the time'. garden, as it's the hardest bit to maintain So far there haven't been any parties and 'maybe a bit too wildernessy'. in the new garden. But the good news Gareth decided to move to Oxton is that you might be able to see it at a a couple of years ago having lived in future Secret Gardens event. So long as south Liverpool. Apparently lots of Gareth is able to get the time off work musicians in the Philharmonic Orchestra to open it that is. And will he be join- live in or near Oxton, including Vasily ing the Oxton Society? 'Yes, joining the Petrenko, the conductor, the leader of the Society is the first thing I did when I got orchestra. Gareth first saw Oxton when here!' he says. he was invited to a party held by one of his colleagues at the former Villa Jazz Biggest Ever Oxton Art Fair On Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th As always, children's activities are November, 24 artists will fill 4 rooms of on hand - more creativity, fun… and the Williamson Art Gallery and Muse- peace for the parents. The new Café um: the largest number ever, taking over will be serving delicious food. And you more rooms than ever before, but with can peep at the progress of the Quad the same creative mix of painters, pho- project, transforming the space in the tographers, jewellers, potters, illustra- centre into the Ultimate Secret Garden. tors, printmakers and textile artists, only We look forward to your visit. bigger ! 2 Annual General meeting Members of the Society and representatives Patrick Toosey, Steve Weber, Dave of local businesses attended the AGM on Barden, John Booth, Bob Knowles, 13 September and were welcomed by the Karen Freeman, Carolyn Weber, Chris Chair, Rhiannon Evans, who introduced the Jarrey, George Harrison annual report. The main achievements of the 2016-17 A panel consisting of Griff Round, Alan year were: Chape, Steve Weber and Bob Knowles • Royal Horticultural Society Award for answered question from members on the Best NW Neighbourhood, for the hanging old bank site, the Society’s freehold of baskets the site, history walks, tree preservation • £25,000 income from the Secret Gardens orders, the Arno and village businesses. event • Majority of planning applications now The 2017 Design being supported by heritage statements Award was award- • 15 applications made for Tree Preserva- ed to 17 Glenmore tion Orders Road (Neil and • Significant progress with the use of so- Rhona Walklett) cial media, and with full colour Newsletters for extensive • Increased profile of history and heritage renovation of an activity Edwardian prop- • First major fund-raising event in aid of erty and grounds. the Blue Plaques programme The Award was • Recruitment drive and strengthened accepted by Neil partnerships Walklett, who said that the renovation Jane Horton, outgoing Treasurer, reported had been a long that the Secret Gardens income had been process since they moved to the property slightly up from the previous year and the six years ago, with much of the work concert in aid of the Blue Plaque project being done by him personally. had been very successful in raising funds. The costs of the hanging baskets had con- The Outstanding Contribution to Oxton tinued to rise. The Christmas Lights event Award, was awarded to Christine Wray had made a good recovery from the cancel- for her contribution to the Tree Group lation in the previous year. New Treasurer, over many years, including six years as Griff Round, indicated that the first five coordinator of the Group. Accepting the months of the new financial year had been award on behalf of Christine, Ian Wray very encouraging, with Secret Gardens acknowledged the great contribution of proceeds up 15% with over £4,000 going to Steve Ferguson to the Tree Group. each partner charity. Attempts were being made to diversify funding. Rhiannon Evans thanked all members for their support during the year, and the Members felt that the Society should make Officers and other members of the Com- it clearer that a significant proportion of the mittee. Particular thanks were expressed proceeds goes to local charities. The Secret to Ann Fordham who was retiring. Gardens organisers said that they had plans to publicise this more widely. The AGM elected the following to serve as officers: Chair, Rhiannon Evans; Vice- Chair, Jeff Willis; Secretary, Alan Chape; Treasurer, Griff Round. The following were elected to the committee: Steve Ferguson, 3 finding out what customers wanted.They aim for a niche market who are looking for quality but affordable specialist products and concentrate on the basics like bread, butter and vegetables and introducing a selection of Spanish and Italian products. The work schedule is tough. Kate works 7 days a week and Paul goes to the market at 5.45am three times a week, a punishing schedule which they hope to be able to relax, perhaps by having the occasional Sundays off ! 1. What was the most important experience that happened to you in your life? Meeting Paul my husband and the birth of my two children William and Joe. 2. Who would play you in the film of your life? Sarah Jessica Parker who played Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. 3. Which living person do you most admire? Kate Wyness My mother. She is 85 years old. She still keeps an allotment pristine and grows Kate and her husband Paul are the owners fruit for jam which she sells for charity. of Village Greens, Oxton’s newest village She has raised thousands of pounds over shop which opened last year. Kate grew the years. up in Wellington Road, Oxton where her mother still lives. 4. How do you like to relax? Kate attended Holt Hill Convent and Running helps to clear my mind and later, Marion High. She sat A-levels and gardening relaxes me. decided to embark on nursing although she would have liked to have studied Art in 5. Do you find a difference dealing with some form or other. However, she enjoyed customers to being with staff and the nurse training course at Arrowe Park patients in the NHS? and remains in contact with her group. You are still providing a customer Kate went on to become a district service but in less testing circumstances. nurse based in Moreton. But the many Generally I find most people are nice! People changes in the health profession and the lack of funding and constant need for more 6. Where do you go for inspiration and nurses made it less and less attractive. new ideas for your shop? Kate was looking for some other outlet for Farmers’ markets, food shows, keeping her skills and wondering how they could up with food trends. be transferable to other situations when the shop in the village came on the mar- 7. Why do you choose to live and work ket. She and her husband Paul, a recently in Oxton? retired police officer thought they might be I have lived almost all my life in Oxton able to make a go of it.