You may remember this little rhyme / tongue-twister from childhood:
Whether the weather be cold, or whether the weather be hot,
We’ll weather the weather
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not!
It might well be the BHPG motto, as the team carried on doing a great job during a wetter and cooler than average September.
We take part every year in Heritage Open Days, and we’ve often enjoyed a sunny Saturday for our event. After this summer’s record-breaking hot dry weather, we didn’t really expect that this year it would turn out to be so wet!
Nevertheless, it was another successful Open Day, and our thanks go to everyone who contributed, either in preparation or on the day.
Congleton Museum was in support this year, and we’re grateful for their assistance – particularly for their help with refreshments.
There were many intrepid visitors despite the awful weather, and they all seemed to enjoy the day. For some it was a new discovery.
After posting pictures on Facebook we received this message: Thank you so much for such a wonderful day… I am so glad I made the effort to come to this secret little area and discover another part of Congleton.
Although there were fewer visitors than usual, they came dressed for the climate and were determined to enjoy our guided tours. David and our visiting herbalist were both kept busy talking about their specialist topics: respectively the Historic Buildings and the Medicinal Plants.
This somewhat dampened Open Day turned out in the end to be comparable to previous events in terms of fund-raising, however.
Our takings were definitely boosted by Linda’s lovely preserves, made with produce from the garden; and we thank our visitors for all donations.
The team very much enjoys sharing the Bath House and Physic Garden with everyone, all year round; but we could not do it without grants and fund-raising events like this one.
Our final public event of the year over, we got back to routine maintenance.
In October, we started the annual task of digging over the wildflower meadow. This year it seemed to happen very quickly and efficiently, despite the weather – thanks to all who contributed, but a special mention to Howard.
The resulting wildflower display, however, is becoming more unpredictable each year:
variations in spring weather affect each species differently.
We must learn to enjoy each summer’s surprise offering!
As ours is a historic site, we often have to deal with other areas of concern, and the retaining wall is one that Nick started to tackle earlier this year.
He is making good progress, reconstructing it using reclaimed bricks. Without his knowledge and craftsmanship, not to mention hard work, it would be a daunting task for the team.
The plan is to plant a hedge behind it, and eventually this heap of bricks will be transformed into an unobtrusive and integral part of our garden’s historic landscape.
Warmer and drier weather in spring and summer has resulted in a wonderful autumn display.
This year’s period of autumn colour also went on longer, with fruit and berries adding to the brilliant variety of foliage.
Our White Mulberry tree seemed to emit a golden glow.
As we see an increased frequency of ‘named’ storms, we hope the garden shows the same resilience that it has in the past.
“Whatever the weather” indeed!
We wish all our volunteers and friends, our generous funders, and our visitors old and new, the compliments of the season.
We hope that 2026 will bring you peace, prosperity, good health and good company…
and we look forward to seeing you again in the spring.
