The new ornamental gardener has started this week, and hasn't yet run screaming from the grounds, vowing never to return. Which is good. She's called Emma and is from Derbyshire, and is a thoroughly nice lass – it felt like she'd been there for ages even though she only started on Monday. We had a chat about how we both ended up where we are now - turns out she's worked at Hardwick Hall up near Sheff; I said I'd jump at the chance to work at Wentworth Castle and she agreed. Her background is training at Trentham and it was really interesting to hear how the gardens there have been completely restored/redone in just the past ten years.
Today's tasks involved continuing the clear-out of the rhododendron beds near the magnolias in Hollies wood. Apparently lots of R. ponticum has been cleared and the intention is to clear the remaining rhodos at the front to create more space to plant more interesting stuff - there are already a few choice acers in there at the back, but they're hidden at the moment. There was a dead Sorbus with a nasty lean, so Dave set about taking down some branches; unfortunately Richard got a bit keen pulling them down and managed to make one fall on Phil's head, giving him a nasty gash. He seemed unfazed but an accident report was filled in all the same.
We finished a bit earlier than usual so I went for a walk around the grounds with my camera - still only one or two peonies out but hopefully next week will have a few more in flower, especially with the heat forecast. Emma said it's supposed to be hot from now until September. Fingers crossed!
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