NGS gardens open this week

Message from Shropshire NGS publicity.

As the seasons begin to change, our gardens are now clothed in late summer colour.  We have two very different gardens open next weekend; both are packed with an enormous variety of plants, one is well established and the other a restoration work in progress - we think you will find both of them inspirational.

WINDY RIDGE, Church Lane, Little Wenlock, TF6 5BB will be open on Saturday 3rd September and Sunday 4th September from 12 noon to 5 pm on both days.  Admission for adults £6.  2m S of Wellington. Follow signs for Little Wenlock from N (J7, M54) or E (off A5223 at Horsehay). Parking signed. Do not rely on SatNav. Frequently described an 'stunning', 'inspirational' or 'my kind of garden' by visitors from all around the world, this 2/3 acre village garden could truly claim to have something for everyone! Children love exploring the winding paths and marvelling at the Wrekin Giant's wellingtons, while there are plenty of seats in quiet corners for the not-so-young to rest and enjoy the view. Those redesigning their own garden will find many ideas to adapt, particularly in the newer grass and perennial gravel garden, and plantsmen will enjoy having a plant list to tick off their favourite plants. Over the years we have received a lot of positive feedback, winning several major awards including the Daily Mail National Garden Competition. Tamsin Westhorpe, editor-at-large of 'The English Garden', described us as 'pure perfection' and 'a must-visit garden', so come and visit on one of our four annual open days or in a group by arrangement, and see if you agree! Wheelchair accessible.  Home made teas in aid of local charities.

A welcome addition to our gardens this year, not in the yellow book or the county leaflet: BURFORD HOUSE GARDENS, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire WR15 8HQ will be open for the first time in several years on Saturday 3rd September and Sunday 4th September from 10 am to 4.30 pm on both days.  Admission £5 for adults.  1m W of Tenbury Wells on A456 The garden is currently being restored by the Garden Angels (volunteers) under the leadership of the newly appointed Head Gardener. 4 acres of sweeping lawns bordered by the river Teme and serpentine borders, set in the beautiful Teme Valley, around an elegant Georgian House (open for teas). Designed by the late, great plantsman, John Treasure and featuring over 100 varieties of clematis in addition to a myriad of plants in wonderful combinations and colours. Garden centre offers a comprehensive range of plants, gifts and outdoor leisure. Well behaved dogs on leads welcomed.

Many of our gardens take payment by card reader as well as cash.  However, it is sometimes difficult to connect to 4G or Wifi in our rural areas so please be understanding if old-fashioned cash is the only way to pay on the day.

Children are admitted for free to all Shropshire NGS gardens.

Don't forget that many of our gardens, and more besides, are open by arrangement throughout the season.  Find out more here.

More dates for your diary: The gardens at WOLLERTON OLD HALL, Wollerton, Market Drayton TF9 3N will be opening for the NGS on Wednesday 7th September from 11 am to 5 pm.   You can find out more about all the gardens on our website here.

Booka Bookshop, An evening with Laurence Llewelyn Bowen

Message from Booka Bookshop

Booka Bookshop Presents... SUNDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER | BOOKA | 4.00 PM    Join interior designer and TV personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen as he visits Booka to talk about and sign copies of his new book More More More. Let master of Maximalism Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen show you how to create and curate a space that you can truly love spending time in. Changing Rooms' flamboyant lead designer has made a great living out of being himself, having spent his entire career encouraging people to reject decorative modesty. More More More is a rejection of so-called "good taste" that leaves people being so in control of their own home that even life feels out of place within it, and instead celebrates exuberance, lavish living, and individuality. With this book, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen will not only show you how to adopt maximalism in the home, but promises to change your outlook on living happily in it. There are no rules, no scientific solution. Instead, it's all about giving yourself the confidence you lack by curating your own perfect haven of chaos, so that you can live and love your stuff – in surroundings that are anything but beige. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has been a regular fixture on our TV screens for 20 years with his trademark opulent style . We look forward to welcoming him to Booka to celebrate the publication of More More More, out on 15th September. Don't miss this opportunity to see and meet him! Tickets: £20 (Admits One & includes a signed copy of More More More) Further Information 01691 662244 | hello@bookabookshop.co.uk | Message via social media

Booka - an evening with Sali Hughes

Message from Booka Bookshop

Booka Bookshop Presents... WEDNESDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER | THE HOLROYD COMMUNITY THEATRE | 7:30PM    Join us for an evening with  journalist, broadcaster and bestselling author Sali Hughes as she talk about her brand new book 'Everything Is Washable and Other Life Lessons' – a smart guide to help us all navigate the pitfalls of modern life. How to buy jeans that fit. Thirty-seven things to have in your kitchen cupboard. Tiny acts for mental health. How to support a friend going through IVF. Why bad boys are an absolute waste of your time. How to cope with working mum guilt This smart guide will help you navigate modern life, enabling you to save money and time. Sali Hughes offers striking good sense on: home; food and drink, fashion; health and beauty; life and finances; friends, relationships and family. From useful, everyday tips such as how to cut your own fringe and how to buy great second-hand clothing, to the less talked about, agonising questions like how to split finances with your partner and how to grieve, Guardian beauty editor Sali Hughes has advice on the big and the small, and everything in between.   Further Information 01691 662244 | hello@bookabookshop.co.uk | Message via social media

Dogwestry welcome dogs

Message from Oswestry Tourism - You don`t have to be a tourist to enjoy the Dog`s Welcome in Oswestry

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Oswestry Borderland Tourism Newsletter Visit 'Dogwestry'! The latest video to promote Oswestry and the Borderlands is now on YouTube.  With finance from the last ARG grant from Covid, Oswestry Borderland Tourism and Painted Life productions have created a video showcasing some of the best places to go dog walking in and around Oswestry. It has been a fun project with lots of volunteer dogs and their owners and Aaron from Painted Life has done his magic to showcase Oswestry and the Borderlands.  Follow our doggie models as they go for a walk around Oswestry, onto the Hillfort and around the racecourse then a take a canoe ride and finally a train ride at Welshpool.  A big thank you to all the people who took part and especially Karen and Ruth who coordinated the filming (and appear in the film too!) There are long and short versions of the film and also individual mini videos of each location which we will use to encourage visitors and their dogs to come to Oswestry and stay longer. The videos and still images are available for members to use too.  Watch the video on Youtube. Click here to see the latest web pages for dog friendly places to walk, stay, eat and drink.