BBC Gardeners’ World Winter Special – Friday 29th December

Following on from the last post, the published BBC schedule shows that the winter special filmed at Wildside will be airing on Friday 29th December at 8pm. Looking forward to tuning in and seeing snippets of the garden on the beeb!

Since the filming we have been very busy in the garden and have been making splendid all round progress with tidying, pruning and mulching. By the time this programme goes out we will only be three months away from our first opening. Three months sounds like a long time but we all know just how quickly time passes! First dates of opening are: April 5th – 8th – in the meantime, we hope you enjoy seeing Frances Tophill at Wildside in the last episode of the winter specials of BBC Gardeners’ World.

Tribute Garden – Official Opening

Friday 21st July 2023.

The Tribute Garden to Ros Wiley was officially opened on Friday afternoon with Ros’s sister, Heather, cutting the ribbon, assisted by myself and Mike Rasdall, the craftsman builder responsible for making the buildings, seats and much else besides. I would like to thank the whole team of helpers who help me look after Wildside and everybody who kindly donated funds to make this part of the garden become a reality, many of whom we were able to welcome here on the day. Thank you to you all, Ros would have loved the finished result.

Keith Wiley

Garden Masterclass – Wildside the film.

Annie Guilfoyle (co-founder of Garden Masterclass with Noel Kingsbury) and John Campbell (Photographer/film maker – Room of Light) spent a good few days at the garden over the last 18 months to create a film documenting the garden which they describe as “…one of the most innovative and inspired gardens in Britain.” It’s a very moving film which they are streaming via their website on June 11th – you do, however, have to be a member of Garden Masterclass. If you’re interested in becoming a member visit their website: https://www.gardenmasterclass.org/. Information about how to book to see the film can be found under their ‘Diary’ heading.

A new addition

This week saw a new addition to the garden – an old Olive tree with a wonderfully gnarly, twisty trunk. It’s full of character and if it could it speak would have many wonderful old tales to tell. Moving it into position was quite tricky and involved the use of a digger but it now looks like it’s been there for hundreds of years. It’s a fabulous feature of the garden and we can’t wait to hear what our visitors think of it – we’re hoping they love it as much as we do.

Latest News…

April 14th saw the premiere of a new film about Wildside, a new departure for Garden Masterclass, launched with brio at the impressive Yeo Valley Garden. Shot by John Campbell of Room of Light, the film tells the story of the creation of the garden from its inception. Four further films following the garden through the seasons will follow, available to view through the Garden Masterclass website. <www.gardenmasterclass.org>