GARDENS The poet’s garden, Clare

THE POET’S THE POET’S GARDEN GARDEN

For year-round interest and a fascinating visit which takes in the disciplines of literature and history, as well as the inherent pleasure of a beautifully curated garden, we suggest a visit to Clare Cottage...

John Clare Gardens and poetry have an important feature COTTAGE in common. Both are good for the soul. Located in Helpston, the home Indeed, my visit to Helpston’s John Clare of John Clare (1793-1864), with Cottage recently was a real tonic; a Friday half an acre of gardens. Clare Press in 2014 to coincide morning with temperatures in the mid-20s and lived in the village for his with the 150th anniversary a dazzling display of heritage variety hollyhocks first forty years from of the poet’s death. This all combining to provide a really uplifting way to 1793 until 1832. collection of poems provides spend a couple of hours. a calendar of the country year, I’ll caveat this article by pointing out that my solo visit took in which the various tasks performed place last September, and though the custodians of the garden by the farm labourer take their place; claimed I’d missed the garden at its very best, I couldn’t imagine ploughing in February, lambing in March, it looking better at any time. and hay-making in June. During lockdown, the team closed the cottage and garden to The collection is also punctuated by our visitors, but still provided photographs, hosted online, of the gartraditional celebrations and festivals, such as den for visitors to enjoy ‘virtually.’ It’s hoped that the gardens at May Day games, sheep-shearing feasts, least will be open as Pride goes to press, though this is still subject Harvest Home, and Christmas. to the curse of 2020. Rooted in popular culture, Clare’s poetry Visitors in late September and October when this edition of Pride has many vivid descriptions of the flowers, is in circulation, are more likely to be treated to displays of birds, and beasts of the hedgerow and field. Michaelmas daisies, that short-live perennial scabious and the last It’s just this kind of idyll that the gardens are brachts of astrantia, with perhaps a sweet willow or two punctuintended to reflect. ated by the odd Sweet Willow fuchsia. “We work with the Cambridge University The team of volunteers who look after the garden are increasingly Botanic Garden to ensure our planting trying to ensure there’s all-year-round interest, not just a flurry of schemes are commensurate with those that exciting plants in the high summer months. They also work hard Clare would have seen during his life,” say to ensure that the gardens not only look good but reflect the volunteers. peasant poet’s inspiration for his work. Clare was alive from 1793 to 1864 and lived Clare’s anthology of poems The Shepherd’s Calendar was his third in part of the thatched whitewashed cottage published volume and was republished by the Oxford University until 1832. >>

Above: During our visit, Clare Cottage was rich in hollyhocks and lavender, but later summer and autumn visits will bring their own charms too.

Right: Curators David and Janet Dykes work alongside seven gardeners and a total of 24 volunteers.

>> Latterly he was committed to two mental asylums with what might be deemed bipolar behavioural tendencies today. During his life Clare wrote in excess of 3,500 poems and published four volumes of work. In 2004, the John Clare Trust was founded by Dr Paul Chirico and Barry Sheerman to purchase and maintain the cottage using HLF funding. By 2013 that funding was paid back and now the trust-run Clare Cottage is curated by David and Janet Dykes as well as 24 volunteers including seven – Allan, Barbara, Caroline, Linda, Linda, Paul and Richard - responsible for maintaining the gardens. “We usually open on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays and usually the volunteers work on the gardens on Fridays, putting in about four hours and maintaining the flower borders and the herb garden, which would of course have had a very practical use as a source of medicine in Clare’s day,” says Barbara. The orchard beyond the dry stone wall of the cottage garden with its flowering herbaceous borders, fruit bed and vegetable patch also has an orchard, recreated with help from Adam Frost for 2012’s Chelsea Flower Show on what is believed to have been the former site of a quarry.

“The newer areas of the garden are maturing nicely with trees, hedging and the flower borders now all very well established.”

“The garden volunteers have further developed the garden by planting new specimens, constructing compost areas and extending dry stone walls.”

“All of the volunteers care deeply about the Cottage and about keeping Clare’s literary legacy alive. But there’s something about the garden in particular which is so tranquil, so lovely and so ever-changing throughout the year, that makes it a real pleasure to maintain and, hopefully a real pleasure for our visitors all through the year, too!” n

JOHN CLARE COTTAGE GARDEN

About: Half-acre garden created following 2004 restoration of Clare Cottage by charitable Trust. Planted in conjunction with Cambridge University Botanic Gardens to ensure period scheme. Opening Hours: Call to confirm reopening and dates for 2020. Price: £4.95/adult; £4.20/conc. Refreshments: There is a café serving home made food and drinks. Find Out More: Visit Clare Cottage at 12 Woodgate, Helpston PE6 7ED. Call 01733 253330 or see www.clarecottage.org. n

COMING SOON… EXQUISITE LUXURY TILE COLLECTION

Look out for our exclusive new collection of on-trend decorative ceramic and porcelain tiles. We’re teaming up with statement tile producers, Ca’ Pietra, to introduce a handpicked range of over 70 exquisite tile designs to complement our own range of natural stone. Book to view the range at our showroom from mid-September onwards. Alternatively, request our Ca’ Pietra brochure at www.ssathome.co.uk or contact us on 01780 740970.

Proofed 16/8 New copy by 21/8 New Copy 19/8

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

Experienced team of vets and nurses providing quality healthcare at a sensible price. l The practice is fully equipped with excellent facilities. We offer in house blood results, microscopy, digital X-ray, ultrasound and have a large operating theatre. l Separate dog and cat waiting areas and kennels ensure your pets feel more relaxed. l A team of animal lovers, we treat and care for your pets as though they were our own and make the time to get to know you too.

l Guaranteed same day appointment for any pet if the owner thinks it is needed. l We offer Deferred Payment Proofed 18/8 Plans for those unexpected “Repeat” 19/8 expensive procedures with no interest and no fees. l Owners can stay with their pets while sedated before routine operations. l We offer and encourage open visiting for hospitalised patients during opening hours.