Picture by Harry Kingman

          What a strange spring! We’ve had snow, frost, hail, rain, fog and the odd beautiful day, but nature just gets on with it. The frost unfortunately destroyed the blooms on the early rhododendrons and it was very sad to see their beautiful flowers turn to a brown mush, but the Magnolia sprengeri timed its flowering to perfection, I’ve never seen it with so many massive pink flowers.

          Bank Holiday Monday May 5th saw the launch of a brand new Sculpture  Exhibition and Trail which runs until the end of October. The works on the trail have been created by both professional and amateur artists and also school   children from the local communities of Ryedale and Hambleton.

          On Sunday 6th July, Oddsocks Theatre Company will perform Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, in their usual inimitably entertaining, family friendly way. This celebration of love, intrigue and smouldering desires, provides a perfect accompaniment to a summer’s early evening picnic. Also during the summer holidays we will be having more of our children’s activity days that have proved so popular. As well as these special days, self-led activities are always available to collect from the visitors centre. At the moment we have Leaf Bingo, Treasure Hunts, the Pine Cone Challenge and our Seasonal Story Trail. We are always  developing new activities, so keep an eye out for them on the children’s activity table in the visitors centre.

        For details of all events see our website.

        The arboretum and café is open each day from 10.00 a.m. last admissions 4.00 p.m.

        www.kewatch.co.uk

Harry Kingman.