Dear Tony,
Old Thatch Gardens
Just to let you know that we have permanently closed Old Thatch Gardens to the public.
Thank you for the support of The Enid Blyton Society during our hugely successful and enjoyable eleven years!
Kind regards
Jacky
Old Thatch Gardens
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Daisy
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
Oh that is a shame, but nice of them to send a note of appreciation. I'm so glad I have had the opportunity of visiting there twice.
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.
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Eddie Muir
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
As you say it is a shame, Daisy. 
I'm glad that I was able to visit the wonderful gardens on a number of occasions over the past few years.
I'm glad that I was able to visit the wonderful gardens on a number of occasions over the past few years. 'Go down to the side-shows by the river this afternoon. I'll meet you somewhere in disguise. Bet you won't know me!' wrote Fatty.
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
That is a pity, though I'm glad I had the chance to visit the gardens several times. They were peaceful and beautiful and I'm left with some very happy memories. Jacky and David were always most hospitable and full of interesting information.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
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"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
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Pippa-Stef
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
Such a shame, but feel lucky to have been and seen the wonderful creation Jacky achieved!
I have my pictures though, and that shall get me through!
I have my pictures though, and that shall get me through!
"You're so sharp you'll cut yourself one day!" Hunchy said going to the door
"So my Mother told me that when I was two years old!" said Julian and the others giggled.
http://worldofblyton.wordpress.com/
"So my Mother told me that when I was two years old!" said Julian and the others giggled.
http://worldofblyton.wordpress.com/
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Courtenay
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
I'm sorry I never got to visit - if only I'd been available for the Society day last year...
I gather Old Thatch is privately owned, then? I'm imagining it would be lovely if it could be acquired by the National Trust and turned into a Blyton-related museum - they already own the homes of a number of famous people, such as Beatrix Potter, Rudyard Kipling and Winston Churchill. Or is there some sort of museum (or at least tribute) on the site there already? I'd be interested to hear from someone who's been there.
I gather Old Thatch is privately owned, then? I'm imagining it would be lovely if it could be acquired by the National Trust and turned into a Blyton-related museum - they already own the homes of a number of famous people, such as Beatrix Potter, Rudyard Kipling and Winston Churchill. Or is there some sort of museum (or at least tribute) on the site there already? I'd be interested to hear from someone who's been there.
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
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Pippa-Stef
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
Courtenay,
If you head over to the World of Blyton Blog, we have lots of reviews about Old Thatch and the surrounding area!
Tony: May I share this thread with the blog readers on Monday when I do the blog post?
If you head over to the World of Blyton Blog, we have lots of reviews about Old Thatch and the surrounding area!
Tony: May I share this thread with the blog readers on Monday when I do the blog post?
"You're so sharp you'll cut yourself one day!" Hunchy said going to the door
"So my Mother told me that when I was two years old!" said Julian and the others giggled.
http://worldofblyton.wordpress.com/
"So my Mother told me that when I was two years old!" said Julian and the others giggled.
http://worldofblyton.wordpress.com/
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Courtenay
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
Beautiful blog posts and photos, Stef (and Fiona if you're around)! Such a shame they aren't taking visitors any more. 
Could someone possibly explain to me who owns Old Thatch currently and why the decision was made to close it (if that's known)? I'm still quite new to the Society and knew very little about Enid's personal life and places where she lived before I found this website.
Could someone possibly explain to me who owns Old Thatch currently and why the decision was made to close it (if that's known)? I'm still quite new to the Society and knew very little about Enid's personal life and places where she lived before I found this website.
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
Old Thatch is owned privately by Jacky and David Hawthorne, who run a landscape-gardening business. For the last eleven years they've opened the gardens of Old Thatch to the public a couple of days a week, in the spring and summer, as part of the National Gardens Scheme (which encourages people to open their gardens to the public to raise money for charity).
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
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"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
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Courtenay
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
Ah, I see (we have a similar Open Gardens Scheme in Australia). Have they attempted to recreate the gardens as Enid would have known them, or have the gardens changed substantially over the years?
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
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Fiona1986
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
Yes I'm around so thanks Courtenay. Very sad to see that Old Thatch is closed but I'm glad to have been the three times that I have.
The garden was very overgrown when Jackie and David bought the house so it was hard for them to know what was and wasn't there originally. Blyton's well, pond and arbour and fountain are still there but the bowling green is no longer and much of the landscaping has changed.
The garden was very overgrown when Jackie and David bought the house so it was hard for them to know what was and wasn't there originally. Blyton's well, pond and arbour and fountain are still there but the bowling green is no longer and much of the landscaping has changed.
"It's the ash! It's falling!" yelled Julian, almost startling Dick out of his wits...
"Listen to its terrible groans and creaks!" yelled Julian, almost beside himself with impatience.
World of Blyton Blog
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"Listen to its terrible groans and creaks!" yelled Julian, almost beside himself with impatience.
World of Blyton Blog
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Francis
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
Its such a beautiful setting and garden - so sorry that I will never see them again. Enid seems to come
alive again in the lovely tea area where I met and talked to so many of you over the past couple of years.
The owners were so welcoming and charming and have done such a fantastic job on restoring and developing the gardens. Will have to stick to visiting the pub and walking round Bourne End.
alive again in the lovely tea area where I met and talked to so many of you over the past couple of years.
The owners were so welcoming and charming and have done such a fantastic job on restoring and developing the gardens. Will have to stick to visiting the pub and walking round Bourne End.
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Jack400
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
What a pity. I wonder whether something bad has happened? I was hoping to get there in 2015.
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Farwa
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
Did they give any reason why they closed the gardens?
A day spent without a smile is a day lost.
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Julie2owlsdene
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Re: Old Thatch Gardens
This is really sad news. I love visiting Old Thatch. It's the nearest thing we can all get to Enid Blyton, especially as Green Hedges is no longer standing.
I too am interested to know why they have made this decision. I'm wondering whether or not they are putting Old Thatch up for sale, maybe!
It least I was able to visit Old Thatch Gardens on a number of occasions, and I'm really glad I did this.
I too am interested to know why they have made this decision. I'm wondering whether or not they are putting Old Thatch up for sale, maybe!
It least I was able to visit Old Thatch Gardens on a number of occasions, and I'm really glad I did this.
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
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"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
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