Dear Notts HPS Group

Welcome to Flower Power Fairs 2018.

February is nearly over and I’m busily sending out posters, leaflets, signs and banners to all my participating plant nurseries, growers and accessory stalls.
 
We have lots to tempt you with this year with a brand new venue in Yorkshire (Sion Hill Hall), a return to our “bi-annual” garden at Worsall Hall and a second year return to Chillington Hall, Coverham Abbey and Wynyard Hall. 
 
As always all the plant nurseries are invited to attend the fairs so ensuring quality plants from highly respected growers.   I’m thrilled with the support Flower Power has as I welcome back Roanne Nurseries, Morton Nurseries, The Herb Nursery, John Cullen Gardens, Brambling House Alpines (and Salvia Corner), Gatekeeper Nurseries, Through The Garden Gate, Plantazia, Hempholme Nursery, Northern Ark Nursery, Garden Blooms, Summerfield Nursery, Linda Scott Hardy Plants, Bridge Farm Nursery, Bright & Beautiful, Quiet Corner Plants, Anna’s Plants, Cooper’s Nurseries, Stannard Plants, Jurassic Plants, LBJ Nursery, Penmere Plants, Ox Eye Daisy Nurseries, Rectory Garden Nursery, to name but a few.  We also welcome some new nurseries including Harperley Hall Farm Nurseries, Fayrefield Nursery, Easiworks (Autism Plus) and Robert Parsons.
 
This year I am trying to make people a little more aware of some rather nasty pesticides, that are now being widely used by commercial growers.  These come in several disguises but are called NEONICS or Neonicitodes.  These pesticides are used to kill vine weevils and other unpleasant pests but sadly they also kill off friendly insects, bees and butterflies.  Please ASK when you buy plants to check that they have not been treated by this pesticide.  If the garden centre or retail staff don’t know, then don’t buy.  Please don’t buy.  We are all aware of the huge decline in bees and butterflies but we are also suffering huge declines in insects and wasps.  When was the last time you had to scrap off dead insects from your car?  I can’t remember when I did …. Worrying because we need these insects to pollinate our plants, feed our birds and generally help the food chain all the way up to our own food.
 
My nurseries are mainly organic or use their own tried and tested means of getting rids of pests and do not use Neonics so when you come to the Flower Power Fair you know that the plants you buy are safe for your garden and all the creatures that live in it. 
 
So let’s briefly go through the fairs up to the end of June.
 
Holme Pierrepont Hall  Sunday 25 March 
11am-4pm.  Admission £3.50
Nottingham

The Brackenburys have recently been successful in obtaining a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and The Country Houses Association to repair and restore parts of the 16^th century walls surrounding the gardens.  It is thought that the Hall and walls are the oldest brick buildings in Nottingham and if you haven’t visited this little oasis then I urge you too.  The gardens are principally a spring garden, filled with early spring bulbs, scented shrubs and trees.  Not only are the gardens open but there is a Spring walk which takes you through the old Walled gardens and through into the pretty woodland behind the Hall. 
 
Nurseries attending include Ashdale Plants, Hempholme Nursery, Linda Scott Hardy Plants, Plantazia, Stannards Plants, Morton Nurseries and The Herb Nursery.
 
There will be15 fantastic plant specialists there to tempt you so please don’t forget to bring CASH as few of these small nurseries have card facilities.
For those of us who would like to combine the plant fair with a visit to the wonderful Hall, you will find an art exhibition and another exhibition on one of the ladies of the house who was a suffragette. (extra charge).  Refreshments will be served all day. 
 
Newburgh Priory – Sunday 15 April 
11am-4pm.  Admission £4.00

Everyone seems to fall in love with Newburgh Priory and it is always one of the most well attended plant fairs in the calendar.  Not only will there be 20 stands offering you all sorts of bulbs, plants, shrubs, vegetables, trees, and a whole lot more but you have over 40 acres of gardens, grounds and woodland to explore too.  Dogs are very welcome and children go free.  Delicious home made food is served in the Refectory kitchen and the Priory will also be open (extra charge). 
 
Nurseries attending will include Gatekeeper Nursery, Northern Ark Nursery, Garden Blooms, The Herb Nursery,
 
And we have several interesting garden accessory stands attending too including Gardening with Wildlife, Alfresco Design, Ashton House Crafts and Judith Lowther.
 
Holker Hall Spring Plant Fair  Sunday 22 April
10.30am – 4.00pm  Free admission to the plant fair

The fair is held in the top end of the car park beside the café/bistro courtyard and near to the shop and this year we have a great selection of Northern nurseries attending including a Scottish one, the lovely Helen from Tinnisburn Plants who has attended this event since we first held it here.  Other nurseries include Harperley Hall Farm Nurseries, Roanne Nurseries, Penmere Plants and Northern Ark Nursery.  We have a new garden accessory, Ashton House Crafts & Carvings who deals in wood and metal animals and garden ornaments so I hope you will give him a warm welcome.
 
Refreshments served all day and the gardens will be open (charge). 
 
Ness Hall Spring Fair  Bank Holiday Monday 7 May
11am – 4pm  Admission £4.00

Over 500 tulip bulbs have been planted ready for the May opening of Harriette Murray-Wells’ garden.  It is always a treat to be able to visit this private garden and again, we hold the fair in May, to allow people to see the garden at different seasons.  The plant fair will be in the pony paddock beside the garden and features 12 plant specialists and garden accessory stands.  Nurseries attending include Garden Blooms, The Herb Nursery, Summerfield Nursery and Brambling House Alpines. 
 
Home made refreshments served from the Kitchen.  The family would prefer you not to bring your dog into their garden as they have their own dogs.  You are welcome to exercise it in the field where you park your cars.
 
Chillington Hall May Plant Fair  Sunday 20 May
11am – 4pm.  Admission £4.00

This will be the second year here and I do hope you will come along and see what splendid plant nurseries and growers we attract at Chillington.  We have North Staffordshire Hostas, Penmere Plants, Bright & Beautiful, John Cullen Gardens and Cooper’s Nurseries to mention just some.  All offer you excellent healthy plants ready to go into your gardens.  We also introduce Homes for Bugs, a new exhibitor with Flower Power who will be displaying his many and varied homes for attracting bugs, bees and butterflies into your gardens. 
 
The gardens and grounds are included in your admission so take a wander through the Capability Brown landscape and see if you can find his magnificent 60 acre lake.  Dogs are welcome.   Refreshments will be served all day alongside the Plant Fair.
 
Raby Castle   Bank Holiday Sunday 27 May
11.00am – 4.00pm  Admission to park, grounds, gardens and plant fair £7.00

We have a change of venue this year with the plant fair taking place within the Walled Garden, just the other side of the cobbled area where we have been for the past 4 years.  Lots of wonderful plant nurseries will be spread out on the lawns and we shall have our usual Gift and Craft Market running alongside with some great stands including Wish, Vintage Burgundy, Kelly Pownall’s glass gifts, Durham Wildlife and Cornerstone Housing who made some amazing garden furniture.
 
The café and shop have been modernised and improved so all in all, it should be a great day out for all. 
 
Rode Hall  Bank Holiday Monday 28 May
11.00am – 4.00pm   Admission £4.00

The fair is held on the gravelled areas in front of the Hall and offers a compact selling area for the plant nurseries.  We are full as always and packed full of glorious plants and shrubs.  Nurseries include Jurassic Plants, Rectory Garden, Ox-Eye Daisy Nursery and Hempholme Plants.  We also have a new garden accessory, Andrea’s Anvil with her own created metal work plant supports, brackets, baskets and obelisks.
 
The garden and grounds are included in your admission ticket so please take the opportunity to explore these lovely areas – hopefully the bluebells might still be with us, who knows with this ever changing weather we’re getting at the moment.
 
The House will also be open to visitors but will be charged separately. 
 
Sandon Hall   Sunday 10 June
11.00am – 4.00pm   Admission £3.00

Another full compliment of plant growers and nurseries will be at Sandon Hall to welcome you to this delightful garden.  Linda Scott Hardy Plants, North Staffordshire Hostas and Ferns, LBJ Plants, Ruth Plant, Penmere Plants and the Staffordshire Hardy Plant Society will be some of the nurseries attending this event.  Spread over 25 acres the gardens offer outstanding views across the Staffordshire landscape and have a large collection of flowering shrubs including azaleas, rhododendrons and magnolia. 
 
Refreshments will be served in the Conservatory. 
 
Sion Hill Hall  Sunday 17 June
11.00am – 4.00pm  Admission £5.00

A brand new venue for 2018 in beautiful countryside at Kirby Wiske near Thirsk.  This Edwardian masterpiece is now the home of Michael Mallaby, who is the custodian of the House and Gardens.  Over the years Michael and his team have lovingly brought the gardens back to their glory days.  As this garden is rarely open to the public, now is your opportunity to come along and see what has been created.
The plant fair will be held beside the House (House not open) and through the drive to the Stables where refreshments will be served. Amongst the nurseries attending will be Dark Star Plants, Garden Blooms, Gatekeeper Nurseries, John Cullen Gardens and Through the Garden Gate.  Garden accessory stands will be Alfresco Design and Gardening with Wildlife.
 
July and August plant fairs include Dalton Hall on 1 July, a return to the wonderful Worsall Hall on 8 July, Wynyard Hall Walled Garden on 22 July, Coverham Abbey on 29 July, Holker Hall on Bank Holiday Sunday 28 August and finally Newburgh Priory on Bank Holiday Monday 27 August. 

All details about the fairs and the gardens are on the website, www.flowerpowerfairs.co.uk.    I’m very much looking forward to greeting you all this year. Fingers crossed for good weather.