"Owl Fun Thursdays at Trebah"  

15.6.10

Every Thursday throughout August, Trebah will be presenting 'Close Encounters of the Owl Kind' in partnership with The Screech Owl Sanctuary. A selection of these beautiful birds, mainly British and European, will be at Trebah from 10.30am to 3.30pm. There will also be a 'drop in' craft children's workshop, making all things owl-like, from owl masks to clay-modelling and collages. The 'drop in' workshops on each 'Owl Fun Thursday' are between 11am and 1pm, £2 per child, which includes all materials and something very special to take home. There will also be a special 'Owl Trail' around the garden, just £1 per person and with an owl-themed prize at the end. Normal garden entry rates apply.   Trebah Garden is very pleased to highlight the work of Screech Owl Sanctuary and hope that visitors to the garden will then decide to visit the Sanctuary during the summer holidays. The Sanctuary, located at Goss Moor in St Columb has been open for 20 years and not only looks after and return to the wild whenever possible native owls, it also provides life-long care and accommodation for disabled native species as well as foreign species needing a good home.   Tom Screech, co-founder/owner of the sanctuary says of their work: "The main thing for me, however, is education. If as a result of visiting the sanctuary, people stop to think about the environment and the wildlife it supports, and just one or two children become conservationists, then everything will have been worthwhile".   Recently, the sanctuary was the focus for some very high-tec wizardry and Hollywood glamour. A team of specialists came to the sanctuary to film the movements of some of the owls for a new feature film called 'Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole', produced by the same people who created 'Happy Feet'. This computer-animated film features the voices of Helen Mirren, Geoffrey Rush and Sam Neill among others and is due to be released in the UK this autumn.   With the impending release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One, where owls feature as part of the wizardsthere is no better time to get up close and personal with these fascinating birds. Owls are definitely the 'hot topic' for all bird lovers, film buffs and families of all ages. 

"Trebah and Beyond" An exhibition of paintings by Local Artist Moira Hooper

1.6.10

Moira Hooper has lived next to the Helford River for over 40 years. Taking inspiration from the Helford, the fields and farmland that surround the river and of course, the magnificent sub-tropical gardens of Trebah, Moira's paintings encompass a wide range of subjects set within a natural and organic context.   Moira completed her Fine Arts degree at Falmouth College of Art and Design in 1999 and subsequently joined the Creftow Arts Co-operative in Helston. She has exhibited at over 17 locations in and around Cornwall as well as  London and Hertfordshire. Most notably she contributed to the group exhibition 'Red Cell' at the Bay Gallery, Penzance in 2005 and has held several exhibitions within Treliske Hospital in Truro.   Moira says of her forthcoming exhibition at Trebah: "The experience of working in the beautiful valley gardens of Trebah, with its surrounding fields and the Helford River provided an irresistible opportunity to further engage with the local landscape. I work in a variety of mediums, including oils and mixed media, charcoal with acrylic and tempera for more detailed plant images".   The exhibition starts on Tuesday 13 July and will run until Monday 2 August. The paintings will be for sale, starting at £45 for small tempera pictures to £350 for the larger scale landscape pictures like "Hydrangea Heaven" or the impressive organic paintings of bunches of wild and field flowers, like "Wild Bunch".   Moira Hooper can be contacted at her River Studio on: 01326 250344 by appointment only.

"Trebah Airborne Forces Day"   Saturday 12 June 2010  

1.6.10

On Saturday 12 June, Trebah Garden will be hosting its annual Military Day in memory of the 7,500 men from the 29th US Infantry Division who left Trebah beach in June 1944 for the D-Day landings. The garden will be offering reduced entry of just £5 per person and under 16's will be admitted free of charge. All proceeds from the day will be donated for the first time, to the charity 'Help for Heroes'.   "Help for Heroes is an excellent and worthy recipant for our 15th Military Day. Over forty million pounds has been raised for this charity in just two and a half years and it has been rated as one of the most efficent military charities. For this year's Airborne Forces Day it not only seemed relevant but also important to not just remember past wars but those affected by modern day conflicts" says Major Tony Hibbert, the event organiser.   The progamme of events is as follows:   1030 - Exhibition opened in Hibbert Centre of the 70th anniversary of the birth of the Parachute Regiment as No 2 (Parachute) Commando in 1940 1200 - WW2 Jeeps display outside Trebah House 1230 - Caledonian Pipes and Drums Band play on the Top Lawn 1300 - Lunch 1345 - WW2 Jeeps and people carriers take Band and Veterans to War Memorial. Colours and Visitors take position 1400 - Drum Head Service at War Memorials, Last Post, Reveille, Lament and Wreath Laying, Blessing 1500 - RNAS Helicopter from Culdrose lays wreath off Beach to 29 US Infantry Division 1505 - Joint Display, Helicopter and RNLI 1530 - WW2 Vehicles and people carriers take Band and Veterans to Top Lawn. Visitor walk 1630 - Sunset Service with Band and Bugler   Trebah looks forward to welcoming visitors, young and old in this commemoration of our history and to remember all those who have been affected and are serving in current conflicts across the globe.  

"Half Term Artistic Activity in Association with The Global Garden"

19.5.10 

This coming half term, Trebah Garden is holding a very special artistic activity for children of all ages. On Wednesday 2nd June from 11am to 4pm, artists John Keys and Alessandra Ausenda will be inviting visitors to take part in three site-specific workshops within the garden as part of The Global Garden.   Children will have the opportunity to learn the basics of origami and make paper aeroplanes or butterflies. Others will be able to make simple hand pots out of clay and, for children who are 8 and over, there is the opportunity to learn how to make beautiful lilies out of aluminium drinks cans.   Each activity will take place in three seperate sites within the sub-tropical garden. It is hoped that the beautiful surroundings of the newly redesigned Water Garden, along the Gunnera Passage and next to The Mallard Pond will inspire the young artists.*   The activity is free of charge, but all the creations will become part of larger site-specific visual installations that will be created by John and Alessandra for The Global Garden and will be exhibited on-site during the main exhibition and performance week (5th-10th July).   The Global Garden (5th-10th July) is an extraordinary project, bringing together the talent and enthusiasm of professional performers, local school children and members of the public in a vibrant celebration of culture from Cornwall and around the World. A week long programme of day-time and evening performances will see the stunning sub-tropical Trebah Gardens brought to life through a multi-sensory display of world culture, music and sizzling dance. Highly visual, energetic, The Global Garden is the result of a creative partnership between  RELAYS (the delivery project for the Cultural Olympiad), The Works, Cscape, University College Falmouth and Trebah Garden.

The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Games, designed to give everyone in the UK a chance to be part of London 2012. Inspiring creativity across all forms of culture, especially among young people, the aim is to make a real impact. Its legacy will last well beyond 2012. Millions of people around the UK are already part of the Cultural Olympiad, through the Inspire programme and Open Weekend. The Cultural Olympiad will culminate with a UK-wide festival in 2012, bringing together leading artists from all over the world.

"Trebah's Super Scones"  

12.5.10

On Monday 10th May, Jacqui Stafford celebrated her 300th Trebah Scone in style. Travelling from the Lizard, Jacqui, with her husband Roy have been visiting Planters Cafe at Trebah Garden for the past 10 years and in the past couple of years, visit the cafe at least 4 times a week. However, since last year, Jacqui has been making a record of the number of scones she has eaten at Planters Cafe, not for any dietary reasons but as a self-acclaimed "scone anorak". Jacqui says that the reason why Trebah's scones are so special is that they don't contain any egg, this makes them crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Jacqui has recommended the scones to all her friends and relatives and even proclaiming their greatness to visitors in Trebah, whether they are in the cafe, shops or ladies toilets!   To thank Jacqui for her custom and loyalty to Trebah, Jay McDonnagh the Cafe and Functions Manager presented Jacqui and Roy with a complimentary lunch (and of course scone for Jacqui), laid out on a white linen cloth, a thank you card from all the staff and a posy of 3 tulips, one for each 100 scones. After lunch the couple were treated to a plant of their choice from Trebah's Plant Sales. Asked if this was the end of Jacqui's scone scoring, Jacqui replied: 'This is only the beginning'!   For more information on what is on offer at Planters Cafe, serving seasonal, locally sourced, home cooked food with style visit: www.trebah-garden.co.uk/visitorinfo/planterscafe

"Volunteers - Trebah Needs You!"

15.2.10

Its that time of year again - Trebah is asking for willing volunteers to come to the garden over the next couple of weeks where the Garden Team is currently in the process of pruning four acres of Hydrangeas. This mammoth task is undertaken mid-February and early March and Trebah relies on volunteer-help in performing this very important task.

Hydrangea Valley at Trebah is one of the gardens most stunning features in August and September. The beautiful mop-heads of white and chine blue are a sea of colour and provide a spectacular display. It is the careful cutting that makes way for the re-emergence and vitality of the new flowers.

Last Autumn over 20 volunteers helped with the annual bulb-planting and at Trebah there are now signs of all this hard work coming to fruition with over 40,000 snowdrops and additional cyclamen and crocus.

Trebah Garden is interested to hear from anyone who would be willing to volunteer for the Hydrangea pruning and/or volunteering throughout the summer with general garden maintenance of our herbaceous borders. We will also need volunteers later in the year for further bulb planting.

Please telephone: 01326 252200 for details or email: mail@trebah-garden.co.uk

"Botanical Art and Photography Exhibition - Capturing the Essence of Trebah"

16.2.10

From 19 April to the 14 May 2010 there will be a fascinating exhibition of work by husband and wide, Charles and Mally Francis at Trebah Garden. Charles Francis is a well known garden photographer and his pictures of the gardens of Cornwall can often be seen in the magazine, Cornwall Today. In 1998 he was commissioned by the Eden Project to record the construction of Eden over the first seven years, its most exciting phase and, living in the middle of the Lost Gardens of Heligan he is ideally locatedf for catching year-round photographic opportunities. Charles is a member of the Garden Photographer Association and is also the editor of the Journal of the Cornwall Garden Society. This exhibition of his photography will show some of the finest examples of his work.

Mally Francis is a botanical painter and tutor and this exhibition will comprise of work by her and many of her students. Mally has been studying botanical illustration for 25 years and teaching it for the past decade at her studio at Heligan. She how tutors classes three days a week for artists living in Cornwall, as well as holding periodic weekend residential courses for people from further afield. Her approach relies upon precise observation of the plant followed by accurate drawing and colour mixing to achieve a true 3-dimensional appearence of her subject. Mally is the founder Chairman of the Eden Project Florilegium Society which sets out to record the plants growing at Eden and she also organises the Botanical Art Exhibtion at the Spring Flower Show at Boconnoc.

Charles will also be presenting a Trebah Talk on Saturday 24 April at 11.30am. The talk is free but normal garden entry rates apply. Booking is essential, telephone: 01326 252200 or visit: www.trebah-garden.co.uk for further details.

"A Celebration of Spring - Trebah's Traditional Daffy Down Dilly Day"

20.1.10

On Sunday 7th March, Trebah will host its 17th annual Daffy Down Dilly Day, its traditional celebration to welcome the spring season. There will be a county dancing performance by pupils of Mawnan School from 11am to 11.30am, a children's art and craft workshop between 11.30am to 1.30pm and children's entertainment and FREE face painting from 11am to 2pm.

This year the adult community choir, "Fifty Degrees" will be performing at 2pm. The enthusiastic members of this well-known group based in Penzance will be singing a collection of traditional and contemporary songs.

In the garden, see the start of spring in all its rainbow colours. Begin with the magnificent Magnolia campbelli or more commonly known as the 'Pink Tulip Tree' with its rose-pink goblet-shaped blooms, see the resplendent Rhododendron Valley and in particular 'Trebah Gem' with its soft pink flowers or simply admire the wonderful Acacia dealbata (Mimosa) with its splash of yellow iridescent and fragrant flowers.

Darren Dickey, Head Gardener at Trebah says:

"Daffy Down Dilly Day has always been a good way of celebrating the start of the spring season here at Trebah, the injection of colour into the valley is fabulous. This year is particularly special as we have done alot of work around the Water Garden during the winter months, where it has had to be closed. Visitors will now see new pathways, steps and additional areas of planting, hopefully a great improvement on a much loved part of the garden".

- Daffodil Dedication

This spring Trebah will also see the result of over 150 special daffodil bulbs that have been planted by the Hibbert family in memory of Eira Hibbert, who sadly passed away in March 2009. A collection was made in her memory at her funeral last year and the family decided to use part of the collection to name one of Ron Scamp's new varieties of daffodil. Ron Scamp, who has been breeding and collecting daffodils for over 35 years and has over 2,000 varieties. When the family visited the nursery near Falmouth they could not choose between two particularly stunning flowers and therefore they named "Trebah Gem", a beautiful pure white daffodil and the other "Eira Hibbert", which ia s traditional bright yellow flower. These bulbs have been planted around a bench on Radiata Path that has been erected and dedicated to Eira Hibbert's memory and should be in flower around the anniversary of her death (13th March). Trebah Garden has also created an appeal for donations towards the purchase of buying more of these two special varieties with the aim of planting more around the garden.

Chris Hibbert says: "It is a fitting tribute to my mother who worked tirelessly with my father in the most beautiful garden in Cornwall. The family would like to express their thanks to Ron Scamp for producing such beautiful daffodils and enabling us to buy the bulbs and plant them at Trebah. We hope all those who visit Trebah during the spring will get to see these stunning examples and appreciate the beauty of this simple spring flower".

'Volunteers Kick Start Snowdrop Appeal'

29.10.09

Trebah has launched a very special 'Snowdrop Appeal' this Autumn. We aim to plant 20,000 snowdrop bulbs over the coming months and increase this number over the next few years. The idea is to create carpets of this classic very early spring-flowering plant, loved by everyone.

Darren Dickey, head gardener says:

"The snowdrop is iconic, it symbolises so many things but in particular the start of spring, the gently waking of the garden from its winters sleep and the start of a new year. We hope with our Snowdrop Appeal to plant thousands of these beautiful flowers which in time will create a stunning new aspect to this well loved Cornish garden".

This week the Garden Team at Trebah received a helping hand from a group of volunteers from Boscawen Farm. Boscawen, based at Blackwater, is run by Robert Owen Communities, a charity that offers opportunities for adults with learning difficulties.

Trebah's Director, Nigel Burnett adds: "We have already planted around 40,000 snowdrop bulbs during the past 2 winters and the extra plantings in the coming weeks of snowdrops, as well as additional cyclamen and crocus, will reinforce further our credentials as a garden for all seasons. We intend to devise a snowdrop trail for visitors in the New Year to enjoy the spectacle (and give everyone the chance to walk off any excesses from the festive season!)"

The garden is open to the public everyday throughout the winter and is well known for being child and dog-friendly.

If any member of the public is interested in providing support by making a donation towards the cost of buying these bulbs or would indeed like to volunteer and be involved in the planting, we would really value their contribution. Please visit or contract Trebah Garden on: 01326 252200 for further details.

'Trebah Triumphs at Tourism Awards'

27.10.09

Trebah Garden is very proud to announce that it has been selected to win an award for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards to be held in Devon on Monday 23rd November. Trebah Garden has been open to the public for 22 years and for the last 19 years has been a registered independent charity. This award comes fast on the heels of Trebah winning Silver at the Cornwall Tourism Awards on the 15th October. The staff at Trebah have worked tirelessly to make the garden inclusive to all those who enjoy the great outdoors, the fantastic plants and trees that thrive within this sub-tropical paradise and its stunning coastal location and private beach on the Helford River.

Nigel Burnett, Director of Trebah Garden says:

"We are extremely proud of everything we have achieved here at Trebah and this award provides us with the recognition and validation of what we have achieved. We also feel this provides us with the confidence to continue making improvements to this wonderful garden, its facilities and the events that we put on all year round".

Nigel Burnett, Darren Dickey and Claire Vickers will be travelling up to the Saunton Sands Hotel in North Devon to collect this Award on behalf of all the staff at Trebah and it will be an extremely proud moment for this much loved local attraction.

'A Riot of Colour and Awesome Autumnal Offers'

28.9.09

October at Trebah Garden sees a new lease of life to some wonderful exotic and native plants. Trebah remains full of colour and interest as the foliage subtly changes day by day; the great mass of hydrangeas will continue to cast clouds of china blue, white and soft pink across the Mallard Pond. Whilst the sun has been shining, the temperature is slowly falling and many of the specimen trees will put on a show as their leaves change to brown and gold, many revealing their exotic shapes and beautiful barks. Take a short walk to the top of Trebah's Water Garden and you will not be disappointed as the late summer butterflies make one last trip of the year to visit the beautiful Eupatorium, a powerfully fragrant flower which excels itself all year round.

Mark Hepple, Deputy Head Gardener at Trebah summed up his autumn highlights: "For me this time of year has so many things to offer the visitor to the garden. The Bamboozle, where our fantastic collection of bamboos thrive, looks stunning with shafts of light filtering through its stems. Also the beach is looking simply beautiful as the golden soft autumnal light reflects off the sea and finally, it's worth mentioning the Glory Flower which is situated just by the Visitor Centre, if you visit Trebah at the beginning of the day, take a walk past this fantastic shrub and wafting in the air will be the faint smell of burnt toffee".

For this October, Trebah is offering all children under 15 FREE ENTRY to the garden and from the 1st October to the 28th February, all National Trust members get FREE ENTRY to the garden as well. Also, every Wednesday from the 7th October the ever popular Elderberries Lunch (Seniors Only) returns at the award-winning Planters Cafe. Enjoy an excellent value meal for only £5.50 per person for two courses.

With half term looming, there has never been a better time to visit the garden, take advantage of the change in seasons, bear witness to the gardens ever-evolving display of colour, scent and shape and take hear that it is not going to cost the earth!

'Colourful cows to swamp monsters - strange things are going on at Trebah'!

17.8.09

Whether it is the summer holiday madness or just something in the air, there is something strange going on at Trebah Garden, near Falmouth. Over the past couple of weeks, two new visitors have appeared within the garden and have decided to stay for awhile.

Firstly 'Dora', the rainbow cow, who arrived at the end of July and is part of the Hall for Cornwall community arts project - Jack's Cows. 'Dora' is particularly special as she was decorated not by a professional artist but by pre-school children who attend Truro College Day Nursery. Sponsored by one of the parents and partner in T.H. Douce & Sons, an aggregate merchants in Scorrier, Redruth, 'Dora' has become an affectionate feature on the main lawn at Trebah. 'Dora' will however be leaving us on Friday 28th August.

From a colourful cow to the mysterious appearence of a 'Nessie' type of monster that is now lurking within one of the ponds further down the valley. This creature arrived overnight and is now happily bathing in the shallow waters of 'Dinkys Puddle', catching unsuspecting visitors eye as they go past. As this strange creature has no name, Trebah has decided to run a 'naming' competition. Available to children under 15 who visit the garden between now and October half term, they are invited to fill out an entry form with their suggestions of what they think the monsters name should be. The winner's name will be chosen on the 31st October - Halloween and a very special prize will be given to the best entry.

'Trebah Welcomes French Horticultural Students on Working Placement'

15.7.09

For the past 3 years, Trebah Garden has played host to students from France who attend Agrocampus Ouest at the Institut National d'Horticulture et de Paysage, near Angers. There are four students taking part in the work placement scheme and currently three of the students are on site at Trebah. The fourth student will be in situ from the beginning of August.

Veronique Choux from Martinque, Vincent Paillat and Dominique Andre are staying locally in Mawnan Smith and Falmouth, whilst working with the garden team at Trebah for the next four to six weeks. Veronique in particular has a specific interest in working at Trebah having worked with tropical vegetation such as bananas and melons in her native Martinque. She says: " This internship at Trebah allows me to understand the rich heritage available in the garden and the different species of plants and trees, which will help me with my studies".

Darren Dickey, Head Gardener at Trebah says of the scheme: "We are incredibly fortunate to have this valuable link with a renowned horticultural college in France. Working with these students provides us both with an opportunity to learn differing techniques, understand and share best practices and of course, brush up on our French! This work placement is now in its third year running and has proved to be a great asset to the team here at Trebah".

'Trebah's Year of the Furcraea'  

17.6.09

At Trebah Garden a horticultural phenonmenon has taken place. A splendid spectacle of the most wonderfully exotic giant flowering umbrella-type plants have appeared on mass on the Rockery, above Lawn Path. These plants are the Furcraea longaeva, a plant that holds the record for the having the tallest recorded flowering inflorsecence - upwards of 40 feet!!! It starts off life as a soft, beautiful blue-green rosette that eventually forms a trunk to 6 feet and then ultimately spikes into the most impressive tower of flowers, with pendulous branches with white petals cloaked in white velveteen.   The most amazing thing about these magnificent plants is that it takes between 15 and 20 years for the flowers to appear, but once it has flowered the whole plant dies and you don't get a chance to see them again for another 15 or so years. Even more amazing is that the plant prepares for this final chapter by producing multiple little plantlets from its stems which drop to the earth to form the plants of the future. The whole process taking another 15 to 20 years.   It has been recorded that the flower spike can grow at a rate of over 12cm a day, as well as tolerating temperatures as low as minus 5 celsius for short periods. This ambitious plant originates from Central Mexico and really deserves to be celebrated for its tenacity, growth and its glorious final chapter.   Here at Trebah, these Furcraea's are the stars of the summer and it is well worth visiting to see these fantastic flowers before they are gone. Darren Dickey, Head Gardener at Trebah says: "What makes them so unusual at Trebah is the fact that there are so many of them grouped in one distinct area and we think that the flowers have been spurred on by the cold winter we experienced, they really are out of this world".   Trebah is open from 10am daily. www.trebah-garden.co.uk

"Become a Trebah Tracker..."  

16.6.09

This August, Trebah Garden will be holding a series of Trebah Tracker Days for children. Held every Tuesday, there will be two sessions: 11.30am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm, charging £2 per child, normal garden entry rates apply. Places are limited, so booking is essential. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.  

Tuesday 4th August: Marvellous Maps Come along with your dreams and imaginations to create a marvellous map. We shall be creating magical lands that could transport you to a time long ago, far away into the future or beyond time - it will be up to you.....  

Tuesday 11th August: Walk on the Wild Side Tune into your senses and rediscover Trebah on an earthwalk and create a natural collage to take home. Tuesday 18th August: Tremendous Tracks Be inspired by the great wildlife in Trebah Garden to make your own mystery creature and cast their tracks in plaster.  

Tuesday 25th August: Mini Beast Masterpieces Venture into a hidden part of the garden to hunt for mini-beasts then create larger than life sculptures.   So come on, explore and enjoy nature's playground, visit Trebah Garden this August and be prepared for something excitingly different! www.trebah-garden.co.uk

Father's Day Special -Sunday 21st June

"Father's are Free"!

15.6.09

For Father's Day, dad's will have Free Entry into Trebah Garden (we let mum's go free on Mother's Day so it only seemed fair!). We are also adding abit of racing fun as the day coincides with the British Grand Prix. When you order the special Father's Day Lunch, each order will receive a raffle ticket with the opportunity to win an original framed film poster of Fangio, the world champion racing driver. See our website for a glimpse of the poster.

The Father's Day Special Lunch is a 'Formula One' Double Aberdeen Angus Cheeseburger with Potato Wedges at only £9.25 per person. After lunch take a stroll down through the garden, visit the spectacular Water Garden, see the Giant Rhubarb and why not feed the Rainbow Trout at Mallard Pond. Finish with a Roskilly's ice cream on the beach, before racing back up Healey's Hill. All in all, celebrate Father's Day in style and have a fun-fuelled day with the whole family!

'Trebah Studies' - an exhibition of paintings by Charles Fox

2.6.09

Once upon a time there were three brothers who in the 19th century each created a beautiful garden near Falmouth in Cornwall: Robert Fox, Penjerrick; Alfred Fox, Glendurgan; and Charles Fox, Trebah. Although Charles was a collector and connoisseur of paintings, it was his brother Alfred's family which saw the growth of an amateur talent, which has now been inherited by his great great grandson, Charles.   'Trebah Studies' is an exhibition of oil paintings by Charles Fox of Glendurgan, they will be on display in the Visitor Centre and Planters Cafe at Trebah Garden from Friday 12th June to Friday 8th July. They will feature a collection of paintings that Charles has taken inspiration from Trebah, including very recent work commissioned specifically for this exhibition.   Charles has always enjoyed drawing and painting but it is only in recent years that he has taken it more seriously, exhibiting locally at the Great Atlantic Art Gallery in Falmouth and also in London. In addition to being an artist Charles is also a qualified garden designer with a deep understanding and appreciation for the landscape of a garden, as well as a working and botanical knowledge of plants. In every way he is well qualified to be putting on this exhibition and on such familiar territory.   Claire Vickers, Marketing & PR Manager for Trebah Garden says: "We are incredibly grateful to Charles for putting this exhibition together. Trebah was created by Charles Fox in 1838 and it is wonderful to think that 171 years later his great great grandson has devised this visual record of Trebah as it is today".   The paintings will be available for sale.

"Alice Through the Looking Glass Outdoor Family Theatre"  

1.6.09

This summer at Trebah treat the family to a wonderfully unique performance by Quantum Theatre of "Alice Through the Looking Glass". This is a brand new adaption by Michael Whitmore, faithfully charting the fabulous, wonderful and rather perplexing world created by the great Lewis Carroll and retaining the particularly British humour and quirkiness we've all come to hold dear in these classic tales.   The story of Alice Through the Looking Glass is a real family favourite, following Alice's fantastical adventures in the strange world she enters through the mirror above the drawing-room fireplace. What she finds there is a world laid out in the form of a giant chess board and before long Alice finds herself entering the game as a white pawn. The story follows her travels across the board until she is crowned queen at the eighth square and along the way encounters some of Carroll's most memorable and enduring characters, among them Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the Walrus and the Carpenter, The Lion and the Unicorn, and the Jabberwock. The piece is also filled with many fine nonsense poems and songs which are still quoted today.   The outdoor performance is on Saturday 25th July at 7pm. Tickets are £8 for adults and £5 for children, bring a rug and a picnic. For further information and tickets telephone: 01326 252200. Details can be found on our website: www.trebah-garden.co.uk

"Textiles Plus Trebah: 10th September - 9th October 2009"  

28.5.09

Textiles Plus, a group of like-minded Cornish textile artists have used Trebah Garden as the inspiration behind their forthcoming exhibition in the award-winning Planters Cafe at Trebah. Formed in 1992, the group work in a wide variety of textile techniques. Membership is by invitation only and the group is kept small and local. They meet on a monthly basis, providing each other with support, encouragement and constructive criticism. The group shares common aims and acts as a forum for innovative ideas.   For the exhibition at Trebah, work was created within a two-year cycle, with the first year being taken up with visits to the source of inspiration and development of ideas. The second year is the working year with pieces being specifically created for the exhibition.   Anne Richards of Textiles Plus says: "One cannot fail but to be inspired by Trebah. It is a visual delight. After exploring the gardens, I decided upon the transitions between darkness and light and so have developed work based on the stunning patterns created by sunlight through a network of plant life onto the pathways".   Current members of Textiles Plus produce work in a wide variety of both modern and traditional styles, including hand and machine embroidery, felt, weaving, patchwork and quilting, beading and jewellery, knitting, batik and textile book art. Items will be available for sale, offering an opportunity for visitors to purchase a unique souvenir of their visit or an attractive early Christmas present. There will also be a selection of greetings cards for sale. Alongside all of this will be displayed the artists sketchbooks, produced during their visits to the garden.   Members of Textiles Plus who will be exhibiting at Trebah Garden include the following: Lindsay Griffiths Anne Richards Janet Croome Edith Legge Jill Rickard Ann Butland Gill Smith Sue Crowle   A full list of exhibitors will be available shortly.

"CHAMPION 'POCKET HANDKERCHIEF' TREE - SIMPLY THE BEST"!  

17.6.09  

This May visit Trebah Garden, near Falmouth and see one of the world's most spectacular trees in flower. The 'Pocket Handkerchief' tree or to give its proper name Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana is to be found at the southern end of the Chilean Coomb and to walk beneath its wide-spreading branches, laden with fluttering pure-white bracts is a memorable experience. Trebah boasts one of the finest specimens in Britain and claims that it has Champion Tree status, with the widest girth recorded for this particular tree.   Darren Dickey, Head Gardener at Trebah says: "The Davidia is a favourite amongst regular visitors to Trebah at this time of year, however this year they are in for a real treat. Due to the amount of rainfall that we have had over the last year and the cold snap at the beginning of this year, the Davidia is looking the best I have seen it for a number of years. The flowers or bracts as they are called just look fantastic and it is well worth a visit just to see this most stunning of champion trees".   The 'Pocket Handkerchief' tree is native to central China and the genus Davidia is named after Father Armand David (1826-1900). "Pere David", was a French Franciscan missionary and keen naturalist. The Davidia at Trebah was planted around 1906.

"65th Anniversary of D-Day Landings Will Make a Splash at Trebah's Military Day"

15.5.09  

On Saturday 30th May, Trebah Garden will be holding its annual Military Day with a very special celebration for the 65th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. Making a splash will be a fantastic aerial display by the Red Devils, the parachute regiment freefall team. This is the first time the Red Devils have visited Cornwall for five years and is only the second time they have been here and people on the day will be given a really unique treat. Also on the day will be the Caledonian Pipes and Drums Band, second world war jeeps and vehicles, an exhibition in the Visitor Centre of WW2 paintings and memorabilia, a Drumhead Service including the Last Post, Blessing and Wreath Laying. There will also be a RNAS Culdrose Helicopter who will lower a winchman with a wreath over the Helford Estuary and they will also do a joint display with an RNLI inshore lifeboat.   Trebah has commemorated the D-Day Landings for over 15 years due to its very special association with this part of military history. In 1944 the beach at Trebah was used as an embarkation point for the 29th US Infantry Division destined for the assault landing on Omaha beach. A new road was constructed to take military vehicles to the cove, the beach was overlaid with concrete and jetties constructed to allow craft to moor whilst men, vehicles and equipment were taken on board.   This year one of the last remaining survivors from the US 29th Infantry Division will be attending Trebah's Military Day - Mr Steve Millicoff - now in his late 80's, early 90's. This will be a particularly poignant moment for all those remember who lost their lives on this day 65 years ago and those who have lost loved ones in all conflicts, past and present.   Also Major Tony Hibbert, the organiser of Trebah's Military Day will be launching 'ParaData' - an online register of all those who have served in the parachute regiment since June 1940 (past and present). Major Hibbert, born in 1917 has a fascinating military history. He volunteered for "Special Forces" and joined No 2 (Parachute) Commando, which was the egg from which the Parachute Regiment was hatched.   Major Hibbert says: "Military Day at Trebah is a fantastic day out for all those wish to remember the sacrifice these men made in 1944. I am particularly pleased to welcome the Red Devils to Trebah and feel this will be an exciting addition to the days events and hopefully will entice young and old to join in".   The day starts at 10.30am to 5pm, entrance is at a special rate of just £5 for adults and under 16s FREE. All proceeds will go to the Airborne Charities.

"CRUISE SHIP FINDS A NEW APPROACH TO TREBAH!"

5.5.09  

On Bank Holiday Monday, Trebah Garden welcomed 102 visitors onto Trebah's private beach via Zodiac boats from the cruise ship the MS Expedition, which was moored on the Helford Estuary. The party had an early start to the day and was given exclusive access to the gardens, arriving at 8.30am.

Nigel Burnett, Director of Trebah welcomed the visitors to the garden. He said: "a tranquil sea and bright skies welcomed the party. It was fabulous to accommodate a large, interested and enthusiastic group of people and the maritime assault on Trebah was a great success".   The cruise is taking passengers on a programme of garden visits around the British Isles. "Many of the visitors said this was easily the best garden they had seen so far on the tour. Naturally we gave them the very best in Cornish hospitality and the experience was fantastic for all those involved".  

Trebah Garden hopes to continue to grow this area of its business and welcome more parties from cruise ships in this unique and very special way.  

"The Old Smithy Craft Workers Create Local Display at Trebah Garden"  

22.4.08

The Old Smithy is a central part of the history of Mawnan, a village once renowned for its blacksmiths. Recently restored after a 6 year fund raising effort by local villagers, the Smithy is once again a working forge. Visitors to the Smithy can enjoy the opportunity to not only watch skilled blacksmith Richard Hingley at work but also see 3 other individual craft workers at work in their studios. All four craft workers have decided to uniquely collaborate in an exhibition of their work in the Visitor Centre at Trebah Garden this April.   The group consists of Gareth Griffiths the woodworker, Paula Downing the ceramicist, Aniela Regini the printer and the above mentioned Richard Hingley. Attached are separate profiles on each craft worker.  

This exhibition of their work provides them with the opportunity to increase awareness of the Old Smithy to all those who visit the garden during an important time in the garden calendar. Trebah are very pleased to host this unique exhibition of work as a part of its educational and local community programme.  

Nigel Burnett, Director of Trebah Garden says: "We are very happy to play host to The Old Smithy craftworkers and hope this provides them with the profile they need to establish their work in the local community. It will be a stunning display of ceramics, etchings, handcrafted wood and iron-mongery, all produced on our doorstep - they are a very talented group of people".  

The exhibition will run from Saturday 25 April to Saturday 23 May and is free for non-garden visitors.

"Painting the Light" - An exhibition of art made by Truro College A Level Artists

31.3.09

Truro College Art students have had the pleasure of working in the enchanting environment of Trebah Garden. These wonderful paintings will be on display from Saturday 4th April to Thursday 23rd April in Planters Cafe and the Visitor Centre at Trebah.  

Truro College A level artists spent time in the gardens recording their personal experience of the environment though note taking, drawing and photographs. Students worked for two days with the artist Carol O'Toole, learning the basic principles of colour mixing and painting. Carol O'Toole shared her knowledge and experience of painting the Cornish landscape with the young artists. The resulting oil paintings have rich painterly surfaces and employ a sensitive use of colour.  

"Carol O'Toole's guidance, combined with the wonderful environment at Trebah has allowed me to develop my skills in oil paiting which far exceeded my expectations, it has been a wonderful experience" says student Laylah Cook.  

Carole O'Toole said: "Working from such a diverse environment as Trebah has allowed each student to produce work which reflects their own aesthetic response to the landscape. I am so pleased that each student has embraced the opportunities that oil paint offers them to realize their visions".  

Lecturers from Truro College commented that the experience had been an exhilarating and creatively enhancing experience for their students and congratulated them on the work they had achieved and the enthusiasm in which they approached the experience.  

The genuine interest and support offered from Trebah Garden in the education of the young artists has resulted in an annual exhibition of the student's work, providing a valuable professional experience and an exciting opportunity for many to show their work for the first time.  

Chris Hibbert, Head of Education at Trebah says: "This is the fourth time we have exhibited the work of these students at Trebah, only two years ago due to popular demand we actually started to sell these paintings. Last year, we sold over half of the pictures on display and it provided a fantastic opportunity for these artists to get a real experience of what it might be like to have a career as an artist and what the public's perception is of their work".

"New Planting marks a New Era for Trebah"

25.02.09

Just before Christmas 2007 a large Evergreen Oak (Quercus ilex) blew over onto one of the main banks at Trebah Garden, near Falmouth. It destroyed in its path a large number of established Rhododendrons. As this section of the garden had to be cleared because of this tree falling down, it gave the gardeners at Trebah an opportunity to remove other Rhodendron bushes as a precautionary measure against a disease called Phytophthora ramorum.  

Rhododendron ponticum is a major host of Phytophtora ramorum, which has become a severe problem in native woods and heath lands, crowding out native flora and has the capacity to contaminate other plant species. With guidance from DEFRA and with the support of grant-funding from the Forestry Commission, Trebah and other Cornish gardens are having to take action against this disease by destroying those plants that have become contiminated.  

Over the last 2 weeks, the garden team at Trebah have been busy planting a new and exciting collection of mostly big leafed and arboreum rhodododendrons. Particular favourites amongst the gardeners would be the impressive large leafed specimens including R.rex with its beautiful large rose or white flowers and impressive shiny leaves (see attached photo) and R.hodgsonii with its stunning large trusses of purplish red flowers. Many of the plants have been chosen to create flowering interest over as long a period as possible, starting to flower from March and continue through into late June.  

Darren Dickey, Head Gardener at Trebah says: "This is an exciting time for Trebah. Many people don't hear about the amount of clearing that is required on this 26 acre site, but it is an enormous part of the regeneration and conservation of this beautiful garden. Having the opportunity to clear such a large site and then being able to plant on mass a new collection of rhododendrons is exactly what gardeners before me would have done. This ensures that the garden continues to evolve and we will watch with interest how these new plants will mature and become a part of the overall fabric of the garden".

"From Hampshire to Helston via Trebah!"

16.02.09

Pictured is the Gibb Family, Stephen 10, Alice, 5 and Katie 3.  Alice and Katie are cousins from Hampshire staying with the Gibbs from Helston.  All enjoying a fun-filled half-term day out at Trebah and a welcome splash of purple colour from the crocuses planted on the lower lawn.  

Picture Credit: Trebah Garden  

"Trebah Takes the Lead"

05.01.09

From 2nd January to 7th February 2009, Trebah Garden near Falmouth have created a very special trail for our four legged friends and their owners. The Trebah 'Dog Trail' celebrates the relationship between owners and its dogs and takes them round the garden following a designated route. The trail will explore parts of the garden that are perhaps less well known and will include plants that have certain scents, that dogs will love and plants that have colour and form, providing a winter visual treat for the owner. Owners will be also be given something practical to do, with a specially commissioned 'dog trail' booklet, they will need to identify certain breeds of dog and at the end of the trail the lucky dog will receive a special doggie treat bag, containing a chewy bone and gravy bone snacks, as a reward for all its hard work. The owners can also sit down, relax and have a warming cup of coffee or tea, enjoy a home-made cake or have a re-energizing bite to eat in the award-winning Planters Cafe!  

Nigel Burnett, Director of Trebah Garden says: "Trebah has always had a love affair with dogs, we were one of the first gardens in Cornwall to open our doors to our four-legged friends. We are very dog-aware, offering our own Trebah 'poop scoops' and a map of where our dog bins are discreetly placed within the garden. Our aim is to always make sure the garden is a place for everyone, whether you are a dog lover or not. Last year we welcomed approximately 4,000 dogs to the garden, we hope this dog trail will encourage more people to visit the garden during the winter months and as we gently step into spring".

back to top