May Bank Holiday Monday afternoon was a fun(d) raising day for the Friends of Coy Pond. The second such event, 2026 was bigger and better than ever. One Plant Stall had over 250 thriving plants for sale, and another stall sold hand-reared agapanthus. Once again, Claire’s motor home was the centre from which teas and coffees, and the main attraction, home made cakes, were served. People partook of the refreshments, sitting at patio tables overlooking the pond, chatting and enj

Last autumn's visit by Bishop Aldhelm's CE Primary School saw children planting spring bulbs. We were delighted to host the school's spring visit, following a beautiful display of blooming daffodils planted by the children. Spring Garden daffodils planted last autumn by Bishop Aldhelm's schoolchildren During this visit, the children replanted the spring garden. This time they have planted forget-me-nots, primroses and pansies. Spring Garden replanted with forget-me-nots, prim

The original Bog Garden was immediately below The Tropical Garden, which was the first of the named gardens. The boundary of the Tropical Garden was a huge acacia stump. Beyond that, the ground sloped very steeply down into the pond. Water was constantly seeping down this slope and thus into the pond. Consequently, that ground was always damp, even in high summer, and throughout periods of drought.. So, it needed damp loving plants, those that grow naturally at the edge of s

One picture is worth a thousand words…’ Acer Planting A few words to explain this example of how The Friends of Coy Pond enjoy working well together to improve the area. Liz, a Friend and supporter, sourced two fine acer saplings, around 8 foot high, and looking for a good home. These were brought, bare-rooted, to our Tuesday session (24 th March). Wayne, our Chair and volunteer project manager (right) had thought of space by the Pond. But Rob, Head council gardener (centr

The Sakura Cherry Tree Project is the gift from Japan to UK of 10,000 cherry trees as a gesture of friendship between the two countries. It began in 2019 in Hyde Park, the planting ceremony attended by HRH Duke of Gloucester and the Japanese Ambassador. Since then there have been plantings in the whole of the UK. The Friends of Coy Pond felt this would be an attractive and worthwhile addition to the gardens along Bourne valley. The Friends had already planted a number of tree

One of the gardens which the ‘Friends’ have created around Coy Pond has been given the title of ‘Stairway to Heaven’. Stairway to Heaven The excuse for this was that, on a steeply sloping site, a series of log steps led ever upwards. Or at least as far as a ‘Tree of Heaven’. Tree of Heaven The blog dated 14/6/25 explains that the name was originally given to the installation of a highly modified ladder, to be found in the garden of one of the volunteers. There is now a copy

BIshop Aldhelm's School latest visit On 21st October, we had another visit from Bishop Aldhelm’s C.E. Primary School children. This time it was for ‘hands on experience’. Eleven enthusiastic hand-picked children came with two teachers, Kelly Hawkins and Kirsten Langridge, ready for a spot of gardening. First they walked past the 180 metres of rock garden (with three ‘designer’ Bug Hotels), on to the Spring Garden, by the pond. There waiting for them were bags and bags of daff

The best things in life are free! Eco Sustainable Solutions Eco Sustainable Solutions has generously donated to The Friends of Coy Pond,...