June 21st – Hampstead Lane garden open – with saxophones!
And here they are all ready for two sets on our open day on June 21st – The Secret Life Saxophone Quartet. The quartet has core membership of eight saxophonists, most of whom play at least two different saxs. Some are professional musicians but most are amateur. For every gig they field a soprano, an alto, a tenor and a baritone saxophone and their repertoire ranges from Bach to the Beatles.
The quartet was formed by Ian Baker back in 2014 with two colleagues who also worked in the criminal justice system (hence their name) – and a music teacher. They began playing in National Gardens Scheme gardens in 2015, one of Ian’s neighbours being their first host. That was such a success that Ian started to look for other NGS gardens where they could offer their services. Ian’s mother had been a nurse so he had a natural sympathy for nursing charities; giving the quartet’s services as part of the NGS open gardens scheme is their way of contributing to the cause.
They now play in a number of gardens over each summer – including my gardening colleague at Highgate cemeteries’ garden in Muswell Hill (open this Sunday, May 10th – 28 Princes Avenue, N10 3LR) and at Lambeth Palace – see above – where they will be playing again on May 21st.
So what else will you be offered on our open garden day?
Yes, lots of home made cakes – and scones fresh from the oven….
And lots of plants to buy – cuttings from my garden (mainly heuchera and alchemilla mollis for those to whom that means anything). Here they are a few months ago in our ‘nursery’.
And of course, the garden itself. The main garden which many of you will have seen from the balcony at Salon Music concerts –
..and our Growing Garden next door which we work with SEND children from the Urban Forest Tribe. Here are the tomatoes going in back in early May.
21st June – 12 noon – 6pm – book ahead here or turn up on the day.
And a Brass Band at the Harington Scheme!
Have you heard of the Harington Scheme? It is the most amazing charity, founded over 40 years ago, to help young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They offer specialist training and support, primarily in horticulture, which they hope will open up employment opportunities leading to fulfilling and meaningful lives.
The scheme is based in a spectacular site just off Highgate High Street and stretching down into the ‘bowl’ filled with poly tunnels…
… with militarily staked rows of beans and peas – and green houses filled with bedding and perennial plants to sell.
Harington Students work in their gardens, in a garden maintencnace company run by the scheme and scheme’s own shops. Every Harington student has an individual programme of activities to support their personal needs, the majority are found a job or further training when they leave and Harington continues to support them for as long as is needed. Places, as you might imagine, are at a premium.
But all of this, obviously, needs money – and one of the ways that the scheme raises it is by their twice yearly plant sales – one of which happened on Saturday – complete with the London Metropolitan Brass band – and lots of cakes!
If you would like to know more about this really remarkable charity – or how you could get involved with them or support them – check in to their site here.
Sunday May 24th 12 noon – Emilija Karaliute
Don’t forget – Sunday 24th May at the Highgate Society (10 South Grove N6 6BS) Emilija Karaliute will be introducing us to her kanklés.
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