Woodhouse Farm News Blog

Another glorious early Spring day, so I went and photographed these bulbs under the beautiful sycamore tree . The splash of gold made by the yellow crocuses is such a cheering sight, especially when contrasted with the purple ones with their ochre throats. The snowdrops are in full bloom and there are even signs of daffodils appearing, albeit rather belated. They are several weeks behind due to the weather, so that guests arriving in early and mid-April should see all ours out, reminding  them of that poem by Wordsworth we all learned at school, “Daffodils…fluttering and dancing in the breeze”. We have so many that it really is ” a crowd, a host of golden daffodils.”

We have had such a beautiful day here today, with a blue sky and the sun shining, causing the yellow and purple crocuses to open, that it made me think of Spring. A popular local event well-known across the country and celebrating its 25th year is the Malvern Spring Garden Show. (Click on the picture above to take you to the website.) As well as the wonderful RHS Floral Marquee, there will be Show gardens (with one from the Morgan Motor Company) and even Schools Gardens, plus plenty of opportunities to buy garden-related items. It makes a lovely day out.

Much Wenlock, in Shropshire, was home to Dr. William Penny Smith, seen by many as founding father of the modern Olympic Games, and is where the first Olympian Games were held in 1850. They continue to be held each July and this year will see the 124th. Events range from Archery to Tennis as well as Athletics and Veteran Cycle Racing. The town itself is an attractive place and would make an interesting and unusual place to visit from here for a day trip. There is an Olympian Trail, a walk over just over a mile which takes one past places special to the Olympian Games and Dr. Penny Brooks. There is even a museum with a collection of Olympian artefacts. Click on the photo to take you to the website of the Wenlock Olympian Society.

Eastnor Pottery, from whose Blog these photos are taken, run workshops for beginners and improvers at their studio on the Eastnor Castle estate, five minutes from Ledbury. Click on the photos to take you to their website. Run by ceramic artists Jon Williams and Sarah Monk , the courses can be very therapeutic and include tasters for individuals and families as well as longer sessions. You can even spend the weekend on one of their courses- and where better to stay than The Woodhouse Farm Cottages?!

Herefordshire Ramblers

Ramblers groups all over the country promote the joy of walking. There are four groups in Herefordshire, including Leadon Vale in the Ledbury area. This year celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the Ramblers and a number of special walks are being organised around that as well as the normal programme. Although the Ramblers are out at this time of year, if a Summer event is more your style, why not consider the Herefordshire Walking Festival from 19th - 27th June? Click on the photo to take you to the page on VisitHerefordshire which gives information on the event. If it appeals to you, remember that the walks all have to be booked in advance and the numbers are limited. If you’d rather be on your own, the Ramblers website ( http://www.herefordshireramblers.org.uk ) gives details of the long trails in Herefordshire (choose from the Herefordshire Trail, Offa’s Dyke, Mortimer Trail, Wye Valley Trail and Geopark Way) but there are plenty of shorter walks and, indeed, strolls as well.

FIVE STAR GOLD

It’s been that time of year again, the time of the Great Annual Grading, and we are delighted to announce that not only did we retain our five star status, we were also given a Gold Award, granted to those properties which score an overall total of above 91%.  This is VisitEngland’s recognition of a property’s exceptional quality within its star rating. We achieved 100% for Cleanliness; the Assessor stated ” a credit to those concerned”, so our core team of Di and Tracy were highly delighted, along with Romy who comes in when she’s needed. We couldn’t do without them.