Whiteladies R Us

Just back from a really lovely day at the Whiteladies Road Farmers Market.    WRFM was where greengarland really started and we have been making regular December appearances there since 1996.  Its just a really lovely space to be in, great food, local pottery, fairtrade baskets and fresh organic cake, fish and veg and also lovely bread from Bordeaux Quay.    Here is Helen from BQ (right) with Liz of greenbaskets (centre) and chief greengarland elf on the left.  Charlies' Angels, indeed...

We were entertained by Tom, on double bass....  And the weather was very kind.  We had had a snowfall overnight but the sun shined on the market and the snow was dry and lovely.

 Here's one of Rob minding the greengarland stall.  Flatly refused to were a gg apron but very useful all the same.

Many thanks to Robin Haward and everyone at the market for their continued support.  Go check out http://www.sustainableredland.org/ to see what they are all about...

Whiteladies Farmers Market

Its the Whiteladies Farmers Market tomorrow and all the greengarland elves are very busy in the yard making wreaths to sell there.  We wil be taking some lovely traditional wreaths, the Orange and Cinnamon wreaths that everyone has been so keen on, and some mini wreaths for table decorations and memorials.  I have a few hydrangea wreaths that I might take too..

I really enjoy being part of  this market.  Its full of lovely foodie things, greenbaskets and Tom, my twelve year old son, will be adding to the atmosphere by bringing his double bass to play carols for his adoring public (?)  I have even roped in Rob, my fifteen year old, to work with me on the stall this time. 

The forecast keeps changing but I will settle for one that involves nothing but a sprinkling of snow about lunchtime.  Anything else just wont do.   Come and do some Christmas shopping, buy a wreath, listen to the music.... See you there...... :)     

Another lovely afternoon in the Botanic Gardens Potting Shed...

Back again for the second of our University of Bristol Creating Christmas Wreaths Workshops at the Botanic Garden.  We were working with some beautiful fresh cut local greenery including rosemary, juniper,eucalyptus, some fabulous Welsh pine and decorating with cinnamon sticks and kumquats.  The smell was absolutely gorgeous.  We had a fabulous afternoon and all went home happy to decorate our doors with our new wreaths full of cake and refreshments kindly provided by the Botanic Gardens team.  I have posted some of the finished results on the greengarland flickr site for all to see.  Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengarland_workshops_2010/sets/72157625585606708/ 

Thanks again to Nick Wray, Judy Preston and Simon Levison of the Botanic Gardens for such a warm welcome.        

   

In the Botanic Garden Potting Shed

Yesterday we ran the first of two new workshops at the Botanic Garden. The University Botanic Garden was created in 2006 within the grounds of The Holmes at Stoke Bishop.  As well as enhancing the teaching of Plant Sciences within the University, this garden provides a unique research and teaching resource and a new major cultural attraction for the City of Bristol. 

It also runs a really good selection of short courses all year round which can be viewed at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/BotanicGardens/about/education.htm.  We are very proud to be associated with them.

We spent a happy afternoon in the warmth of the Potting Shed creating some really fabulous fragrant christmas wreaths using traditional techniques.  We have put some pictures of the finished wreaths on the flickr website http://www.flickr.com/photos/greengarland_workshops_2010/sets/72157625403461817/.  We were really impressed by the quality of work produced.  

Thanks very much to Nick Wray, the Curator of the Botanic Garden and Judy Preston for inviting us into this wonderful and unique environment.   Many thanks also to Andy Winfield, one of the team of gardeners (who probably has the best job in the world..) who allowed us to borrow his wheelbarrow and made us all feel so welcome...  The opening times of the Botanic Garden can be found at tp://www.bristol.ac.uk/Depts/BotanicGardens/index.htm.  It is well worth a visit at any time of the year.