Alternative Contact:-

Christine Nicholson

07733 474083

The U3A Gardening Group started in 2023.  Our aim is to share our skills, experience and general interest in growing things in an environmentally friendly way.

We have a general interest in growing vegetables, no dig method of cultivations, an interest in flowers, shrubs and returning land to its natural habitat such as wildflower meadows.  

We try to grow in a sustainable organic way and are attempting to encompass principles which include better environmental practices.

Whilst we do need to have email addresses, the communication will be through a WhatsApp group named ‘U3A Gardening Bits & Bobs’.                                          (Assistance can be given to setting up on WhatsApp).

This is an informal group, meeting on an occasional ad hoc basis when there is something of interest. The WhatsApp group will enable information to be passed on between all members about events happening locally and to have group outings. 

Since 2023, we have visited various sites;

-        Gosling Sike looking at the composting systems

-        Dale Foot Composting who make compost mainly from sheeps’ wool & bracken

-        Growing Well at Tebay, which is a market garden run by a community group, helping people going through mental health difficulties

-        Hutton-in-the-Forest 

-        Members gardens

-        Wildflower meadows including guided walk at Swindale

-        Prepared an area to become a wildflower meadow - gathered wildflower seeds and planted them.

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Warnell Hall Visit.

Thursday 26^th June 2025 at 6:30pm.

This message is from Anne Jackson, Those of you who did the recent Caldbeck walk should remember the big house called Warnell Hall as we descended to Sedbergham.

Hello all,

We have the opportunity to visit Warnell Hall which is a private garden owned by the Coulson Family.  It is truly outstanding. They only open the garden  one week in June each year and only to groups.

I have provisionally booked for 19th June 2025 at 6:30pm. The visit will take the form of a guided tour lasting about one hour and then a wander around the pond and garden on your own, followed by coffee/tea and biscuits.

It will cost £12 per person and all the money collected goes to local charities.

Please email to gardeningbitsandbobs@gmail.com if you are interested. 

20 people are needed to go ahead with the visit and a maximum of 40. 

Kind Regards

Anne Jackson & Christine Nicholson

U3A Gardening Bits&Bobs Convenors

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