It’s Armathwaite Open Gardens!..’you know it is, it really is.’

The weather was a bit unpredictable this year but despite the rain, we had 267 visitors to our garden over the two days… an increase on last year! It was good to see some familiar faces and they appreciated how much the garden has developed since last year.

‘2113’……thanks Cindy.

The finishing touch to Phil’s fantastic Frank Sidebottom scarecrow arrived just in time on Saturday morning …. a shocking pink silk tie all the way from China! Frank was a hit with our visitors and we were very surprised how many people had heard of Timperley and of Frank Sidebottom. He now stands proudly guarding our Timperley Early Rhubarb.

Is that Timperley Rhubarb?…. ‘You know it is…it really is’

We sold some plants too and all the proceeds from ticket sales will be split between the village church and village hall funds. Many went up to the church to look at Phil’s window and came back with glowing reviews.

 

 

 

Spring

We found this antique clockwork doorbell at The Brunswick Yard in Penrith. It will make an interesting feature when we eventually get a new front door on the buzzshelter.

Antique clockwork doorbell

Spring is about to spring forth!

Now that’s what I call rhubarb!

Amelanchier canadensis (Snowy Mespilus)

Winter Garden

A few photos with a seasonal feel.

Witch Hazel

Timperley “very” early!

Allium “Everest” seed-head

Timperley Sunset

As long as I gaze on Timperley sunset I am in paradise. “Frank Sidebottom”

The sun never seems to set on our Timperley Early rhubarb as you can see from the photo below it doesn’t require forcing. It is obviously very happy in the raised bed and attracts the attention of many passers-by who most often comment that theirs isn’t doing nearly so well.

Timperley Sunset

This morning I dug out one of our two crowns as last year we had far too much, even after giving plenty away. The photo below shows last year’s second flush, we had stripped all the first crop to dig out a crown for a neighbour.

Timperley Early

It must just be the Timperley touch!

I was born in the town of Altrincham in Cheshire and raised in Timperley. Famous not only for its rhubarb but also as the home of Frank Sidebottom who sadly passed away in 2010. Back in 1997 a friend of mine had been driving him to gigs, I asked if it might be possible to get a “little frank” head and the signed head appeared the next day!

“Little frank”

Frank Sidebottom

During the festive season we visited my parents who still live in Timperley and I took the opportunity to photograph the bronze memorial statue of Frank in the centre of Timperley Village. It was unveiled a year or so back with great celebrity fanfare, with the likes of “Badly drawn boy” present.

Frank Sidebottom “Timperley Sunset”

There is a village just south of Manchester.

with dream comfort memory to spare,

and in my mind I still need a place to go,

all my changes were there.

“Neil Young”?