Expecting heavy rain showers the six members who came were rewarded with sunshine and warmth. The Ripon Walled Garden is celebrating 25 years of working with young, disadvantaged adults, through horticulture and cooking.

Originally it was the vegetable garden for the historic Bishop’s Palace. Now it has poly tunnels, a shop selling plants, bottles of their own pressed apple juice and things for the garden. And a cafe for the obligatory cuppa and chat before sketching can start.

  

Beyond the walled garden there is a large orchard of rare varieties of apple tree, the oldest being a Nancy Jackson. All the names are fascinating.  The owner, who specialises in fruit trees, talked with members about them. He told Audrey that the main branches of the apple tree should be pruned to allow a pigeon to fly through.

Sitting in the sun,surrounded by trees and flowers and plenty of butterflies , sketching and having lunch prepared for us , what is not to like?

Most members’ sketches were of the wonderfully shaped trees, full of apples.

      

Paintings of the the Nancy Jackson apple trees

Apple Day
On October 14th from 10am to-4pm the Ripon Walled Garden is having an Apple Day when apples will be on show with their names, and pressing will take place. There will also be craft stalls. (This is also the same day as the Art Bus trip to Hull!)
Website >www.riponwalledgarden.org.uk/

Trip arranged by Audrey. Photographs by Audrey, Barbara and Lynn. Descriptions by Audrey.