September – The Landscape at Compton Verney
Welcome to this ‘September’ article, the ninth in a series of posts which aim to review, through photographs, twelve months of activity in and around the diverse landscape of Compton Verney. It’s a historic landscape that has seen much change, from the shaping of the areas as new plants establish to the visual delight gained from one of a number of artistic interactions.
There are huge changes in the atmosphere from the busiest of open days to quiet days when just bird song can be heard. Either way, visually the landscape changes minute by minute and it’s wonderful to be there to experience it – and on occasion capture an image or two!
Links to other months will be added at the bottom of the page, but for now, I hope you enjoy ‘September – The landscape at Compton Verney’ :
Early Autumn arrives with its misty mornings, whilst the cattle in the North Park carry on ripping at the tufty parkland grass. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
The art work is removed from the lawns by a professional team, with assistance from gallery and grounds staff. It was certainly better conditions than we experienced during the installation! © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
As the art works are removed, the plinths are taken out and reinstatement work begins… © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
Couldn’t resist popping this image in, which shows the first of the autumn colour showing its presence. The large tree just right of centre is a county champion Cedar of Lebanon © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
A Great Crested Grebe pursued by a greedy youngster! There were a handful of young spotted this year, and it was great to see them being taught how to catch their fish. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
Fuchsia magellanica ‘Alba’ settling in well in the Ice House Coppice. Delicate and beautiful! © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
Volunteer grounds assistant Jenny works carefully through the newly established planting, keeping all neat and in good order. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
You may have heard of our project with garden designer Dan Pearson, September being a busy period for fundraising in association with Art Fund. We were really pleased to meet the target, through the art happens initiative, but of course the practical work of re-sowing the meadow had to wait for the all clear! © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
During September we were able to move on with cutting the West Lawn and removing the crop, as with previous years, the machinery above carrying out the baling operation. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
Through a series of consultation events linked to our Re-viewing the Landscape project, we were delighted to make acquaintance with The Swan School of Tai Chi. In this image the team were trialling one of many locations in the grounds on a particularly atmospheric, misty day one weekend morning. We’re looking forward to welcoming the school back for regular sessions in 2015. © Compton Verney / Gary Webb 2014
From this quick skim through images from September, you would be forgiven for thinking it was all sunshine, misty mornings and hazy afternoons. The teams were however really busy as usual across the breadth of Compton Verney, with exhibition change-over activity, events, education and much more. Naturally the grounds team were conscious of the season passing quickly by, our attention turning in general to tidying work and preparation for autumn.
The forthcoming October article will show much of the team carrying out one activity or another – almost all connected with wild flowers! I hope you’ve enjoyed another colourful post from the #CVGrounds team at Compton Verney, remember you can see many more, and add some of your own on our Flickr group – Compton Verney Grounds Flickr Pool
Regards, Gary Webb, Head of Landscape & Garden at Compton Verney.
January – The Landscape at Compton Verney
February – The Landscape at Compton Verney
March – The Landscape at Compton Verney
April – The Landscape at Compton Verney
May – The Landscape at Compton Verney
June – The Landscape at Compton Verney
July – The Landscape at Compton Verney
August – The Landscape at Compton Verney