The garden of St Ethelwolds House, in Abingdon, is open all year round for people to enjoy the quiet and the flowers.
A lot of the flowers, including the lupins, are at their best in June and July.
Volunteer gardeners keep it looking good, and there is a notice saying they need more keen gardeners. Vegetables grow in one corner, and there are large compost heaps in another.
In the corners are two rooms for the use of people wanting a quiet solitary retreat. Beyond them boats are moored where the River Thames drifts slowly.
There are also events in the garden. Starting next week there will be an art exhibition.
This term the ‘Singing for Pleasure’ group can only sing outdoors and are using St Ethelwold’s garden. Since the garden is near the River Thames the songs today had a nautical theme, which included a couple of songs from South Pacific. One of those chosen was ‘Never Walk Alone’.
I recorded an extract with thanks to the Abingdon Music Centre. They had a smaller ‘Singing for Pleasure’ group this week and will welcome new members. Thanks also go to the copyright owners who will get any money from YouTube if adverts placed on this video make any money.
South Horrific:
Sam and Janet Evening, you may meet a strangler,
You may meet a strangler across a crowded tomb…
Lovely picture of St Ethelwold’s garden – what a haven!
You’ll never walk alone is from the musical Carousel actually. Same composer though – Rodgers and Hammerstein.
You are quite right, Sally. However, some years ago I and a couple of friends wrote a revue called “South Horrific” which featured Sam and Janet Evening and the song about meeting a strangler across a crowded tomb.
The original song, of course – like most of Rodger and Hammerstein – was of a rather superior quality 😉
Looks lovely, what’s it like for disabled access though?
There is a sloping garden path for wheelchair access onto the lawn but first you have to negotiate the gravel area at the gate.