Stony in Bloom News
18 January 2010
Archaeology of Stowe Gardens
On Monday, 18 January 2010, a packed audience at The Crown heard a fascinating account by Gary Marshall of the role of an archaeologist in the National Trust’s restoration of the beautiful landscape garden at Stowe to its former glory.
In addition to being a ‘Stony in Bloom’ volunteer, Gary is the National Trust’s archaeologist for the Thames Region, based at Stowe. He described how the design of the gardens had evolved from formal parterres in the seventeenth century to the naturalistic landscaping of William Kent, Charles Bridgeman and ‘Capability’ Brown in the eighteenth century. 
Since 1990, horticultural archaeology has provided vital evidence for the National Trust in its re-instatement of lost walks, replacement of specimen trees and woodland, and restoration of lakes and monuments. Gary brought along some ‘finds’ to illustrate his talk: a lightning-damaged metal window frame which had enabled the right proportions to be used for the restoration of Lord Cobham’s monument, simple but beautifully decorated clay flowerpots, and locally-made roof tiles from the derelict eighteenth-century coaching inn, the New Inn. 
This inn, and its adjoining farmhouse, are being restored to provide a first-class Visitor Centre at a South Entrance to Stowe Gardens, planned to open in 2011.
At the end of the talk, Judy Deveson thanked Gary warmly on our behalf, and he was soon surrounded by interested members of the audience for further discussion.
7 January 2010
Growing their own
The polytunnel at St Mary & St Giles School was blanketed in snow, but snug inside the salad leaves and garlic, planted by the school children in the Autumn term, are coming on wonderfully. It is hoped to use these home-grown vegetables in the preparation of the children’s lunches, to give them the satisfaction of eating what they have grown themselves.
Work starts on London Road lychgate
Passers by in London Road will have seen that the lychgate is enclosed in scaffolding. This is the latest Stony in Bloom project to get under way. For more information visit our Current Projects page.
5 December 2009
Stony in Bloom joins BBC/Guiness Book of Records tree-planting bid
On Saturday, 5 December four Stony in Bloom volunteers – Ray Cobley, Judy Deveson, Kathy Luff and Joan Walker – planted fifty saplings in the Bluebell Wood hedge at the top of London Road. Rob Gifford, as Chair of Stony Stratford Town Council, kindly verified that the planting was done it in the specified time, and so we are now part of the BBC/Guiness Book of Records tree-planting bid.
19 October 2009
Summer Blooms Give Way to Hardy Winter Plants
Anyone strolling down Stony Stratford High Street late in the afternoon on Sunday, 18 October would perhaps have been struck by how bare it all looked. No dazzling hues: just dark, empty planters. That was because earlier in the day Stony in Bloom volunteers had been out with their trowels and trays busily stripping away the begonias, geraniums and all the other flowers that have been lusciously and voraciously blossoming all summer. It was quite a wrench to pull them out – in more than a physical sense – as
many were still a delight to the eye. However, with frosts at night, it was decided that the time had come to move in the winter plants, many of which had been successfully saved in beds near the polytunnel at St Mary and St Giles School. So on Monday, 19 October Stony in Bloom volunteers were out once more, brightening up the planters with pansies, ivy and a variety of other winter greenery. Bulbs have been planted too, so watch out for extra colour in spring!
13 October 2009
The next generation of community gardeners in Breton!
A few months ago Isobel Thomson contacted Stony in Bloom to say that she’d be keen to help plant flowers to brighten up the Green in Breton. Delighted to respond to such a community initiative some Stony in Bloom volunteers and grandchildren joined Isobel and her daughters on 13 October in the autumn sunshine to plant crocuses and daffodils under the spreading chestnut tree.
Katy, Rachel, Tamika and Aimee were very enthusiastic planters, stamping fiercely on the ground to ensure the bulbs were well covered. They can feel very proud of themselves next spring when the purple and gold blooms cheer up everyone in Breton.
1 October 2009
New Term - Children of Russell Street School continue to work in their Science Garden, also have planted crocus bulbs given by Lesley Arkin in Cofferidge Close (see Young Bloomers Section).
28 September 2009
The Stony Stratford Community Wins at Newbury!
Britain in Bloom: the Stony in Bloom Group was absolutely delighted to win the Regional Trophy for the Urban Community Category and to gain the Silver Gilt Award, but happiest of all to win the regional Award For Most Community Involvement (out of Bucks, Berks and Oxon). That’s what the ever-expanding group feels is the most valuable aspect of their Britain in Bloom entry.
The results were announced in Newbury by the Royal Horticultural Society judges on September 28th, and Ray Cobley and Pat Kyd collected the beautiful glass trophy on behalf of the group.
Throughout the summer, residents have been saying how beautiful the town has been looking, with the planters and hanging baskets providing a dizzying burst of brilliant colour, and the new sensory gardens on London Road and Calverton Road a more subtle crescent of mauve and gold with the varied perennials.
It was satisfying that the judges agreed with the judgement of Stony Stratford’s residents. Some of the very positive comments of the judges include: the pride in the Town is reflected in the very good community support behind ‘Stony in Bloom' – and the new sensory garden has clearly had some thought put into it and adds interest at a gateway into the Town – excellent website promoting work of ‘Stony in Bloom’.
The Stony in Bloom 09 campaign scored a fantastic 88% in the community participation section.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED IN STONY IN BLOOM 2010 in ANY WAY PLEASE CONTACT JUDY DEVESON VIA STONY STRATFORD TOWN COUNCIL.
10 September 2009
Every picture tells a story
Thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses, the enormous hard work and time given by those who opened their gardens and those on the organising committee of Stony Open Gardens in July, it has been possible to present a cheque for £4,000 to Willen Hospice Seen here in the photo is Julia Rogerson, Events & Pomotions Manager of Willen Hospice, receiving the cheque from Pat Kyd, Janice Windon, and Judy Deveson on the right hand side, and Joan Walker, seated below.
A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED
THE STONY IN BLOOM 2009 CAMPAIGN
