Yes Julie,I'm so glad we had the opportunity to visit there.It has a magical,special feel the minute you walk through the gate....
I went twice.I thanked Jackie each time so much for opening up her house and garden to strangers.
I have a private dream that Jackie may one day every so often allow a special visit just to members of the Enid Blyton Society.
We know how it works - we could take her cakes and drinks and fuss over her and her hubby!
Last edited by pete9012S on 29 Nov 2014, 11:33, edited 1 time in total.
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane - Society Member
It would be great if Jacky and David opened the gardens once a year for members of the Society - perhaps on 11th August to commemorate Enid's birthday.
'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.
Eddie Muir wrote:It would be great if Jacky and David opened the gardens once a year for members of the Society - perhaps on 11th August to commemorate Enid's birthday.
Exactly what I thought, Eddie, although not all of us who visited the gardens were members. It might be worth asking. Having said that, it wouldn't be the same without the café and cakes. I have opened my grounds in the past to EnidBlyton.net and Society executives. I can't remember if Jane baked any cakes though!
Moonraker wrote:
Exactly what I thought, Eddie, although not all of us who visited the gardens were members. It might be worth asking. Having said that, it wouldn't be the same without the café and cakes.
Perhaps I should have said Enid Blyton enthusiasts rather than Society members, Nigel. It certainly wouldn't be the same without the café and cakes. We could ask Jacky and David to supply cakes on the day with some of the proceeds being given to a charity of their choice. Just a thought.
'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.
Blow! I never got to visit as I was never available on any of the society trips there. Now it looks like peeping over the hedge will be as good as I get. I suppose we are unlikely to find out but it would indeed be interesting to know why they have made this decision.
"What a lot of trouble one avoids if one refuses to have anything to do with the common herd. To have no job, to devote ones life to literature, is the most wonderful thing in the world. - Cicero
Unfortunately I didn't ever get chance to visit the Old Thatch gardens, but from what I have seen in the photos people have posted here: they looked absolutely beautiful. It really is a shame that they will be closed to the public from now on.
"Beware of young men with long hair - that's what dad says, isn't it?"
Pat, Holiday House
One of Izzy's special cakes would tempt anyone to open their house for the day - particularly
her 'Grape Spongee'! We must not put any pressure on of course but August 11th does sound an excellent
day to do it. Glad to see that Pete's affection was appreciated by July.
Jacky Hawthorne sent me a private email on this, but as it was thanking the Society through me I thought I would post it in its entirety.
I first visited Old Thatch 21 years ago in a group of about 20 people that included both Gillian and Barbara Stoney. This was a private visit long before the gardens were opened to the public and also before the Enid Blyton Society had come into existence. Jacky and David Hawthorne had only just moved there, so both the house and garden were in a 'raw' state, just as the Hawthornes found it when they arrived. If I can find any of my photos of that occasion I will post them in this thread.
I'd love to see the photos if you're able to find them, Tony.
We know that in Enid Blyton's day the gardens were more grassy and wild, with an orchard, tennis courts, a gardener's cottage and a big pond and stream with bridges across it. Some of those features may have disappeared shortly after Enid sold the house, and we know that at some point a portion of the garden was sold off.
"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.
