Scarecrows or Scareducks?

Yesterday we had a real scare -- some additions to the sculpture trail but this time they actually moved -- not fast but we definitely saw them move.

A Scarecrows picnic/tea party was set up in the garden (which is a bit ironic really as there are NO PICNIC signs up everywhere... I guess they can't read...) and four "Scarecrows" arrived as part of the sculpture trail.

The "Scarecrows" are local lad and trainee Thespian Joel Davidige, and his friends who are sparing a little time in between rehearsals for their show "In Short" at the Artrix this Saturday.

Accompanying their tea party, they had a Jo Lucas who turned up to busk in the gardens today, beautiful music to swim to!

Tomorrow, 2nd Sept, within the Sculpture Trail programme, Paul Michael Langford is back to finish his clay horse sculpture at the bottom of the garden - he is wonderful to watch - we are looking forward to seeing him again.

Lots of Art!

Art pieces have been arriving in the garden for a week or so now but yesterday there was a real hive of activity with all the pieces being finally put in place and numbered stones being placed by each one (I don't really get this as we don't read that well!).  There are lots of different pieces - some I like and some I am not that sure about but as I hear said often "that's what art is about" .

Artist Joe Floyd with his copper rose sculpture

Last night was the launch of the trail but sadly after no rain for ages the skies darkened at about 5pm therefore many of the expected visitors did not show, great shame as it turned into a lovely evening and there was a brilliant choir -- we all really appreciated it.  

The Bel Canto Choir from Redditch - Sang beautifully

A real treat was seeing "art in action" - we ducks seldom see this - Paul Michael Langford is building his sculpture live in the gardens -- it is a horse in motion.  Floss, Molly and Roxy, the horses in the field are most interested in this, he is sculpting close to the edge of the garden so they can see him (and he can see them!).

Paul Michael Langford - happy to chat while he works.

Josie - she has her camera again!

Finally, on preview night we had one of our very special guests visit - Josie has come to many events, especially the sculptures before and is a great photographer - we do have a lark though - she is trying to get a picture of us with our wings out and we are all having such fun teasing her, we open our wings just long enough for her to get her camera out and then we pretend we have no wings!  -- this is just so that she keeps coming back!   

The sculpture trail is on everyday until 18th September and is free entry - don't miss it!

Letting off Steam...

There is always something going on here - planned or unplanned!

This weekend was the Hanbury Steam Rally (perversely not in Hanbury but in Stoke Prior, next village up the road).  We normally hear some pretty big and slow vehicles trundling up and down the road when the rally is on, but this weekend got a much closer look, as one rather large steam engine broke down right outside the craft centre on the road.  The drivers worked really hard on it for a couple of hours but, sadly, were unable to get it going again and had to catch a lift home from a very large lowloader.  Malcolm (one of the Jinney Ring owners) spent and hour or so directing traffic around the lovely old vehicles (there was an old tractor with plough with it) as there was a lot of traffic on the road.

The steam engine stuck on the road

Old tractor/plough parked up at the back of the Jinney Ring for a while Sunday night.

Meanwhile in the gardens - the sculpture trail is going well - lots of interest even when the weather is a bit inclement.  My Duck colleagues and I are now learning to live with the cats, dogs and birds made from recycled metal parts from artist Gavin Darby (see below).  The exhibition goes on until 30th September.

Plans are afoot to restore the top pond in the garden and I have heard discussions about fencing off areas to allow big diggers and dumper trucks in to dredge the pond and rebuild the edges.  The leak on the top pond is getting worse and the level is making it hard for us to get out of the pond easily now, so I will be glad when this is completed, even if it means a bit of disruption in October.