By kind permission of Hew Stevenson.
2.00pm
Directions: At Stowmarket, turn off the A14 onto the A1120 north, towards Stowupland; just past the petrol station turn left across Thorney Green. Continue to the T-junction, then turn right onto Gipping Road. The Hall’s drive is the first left turn after the derestriction sign just outside the village.
AGENDA
1. Apologies for absence (from Officers and Council only)
2. Minutes of the 30th AGM held at the Hasketon Victory Hall, on 17 May 2025
3. Reports from the Council
4. Election of Officers and Council Members
5. Any other business (of which prior notice has been given to the Chair)
Afterwards, for ticket holders only, a chance to visit the Gardens of Columbine Hall
This moated manor house (Grade II*) takes its name, not from the flower, but from a family of medieval barons from Columbières (ie ‘dovecotes’) in Normandy, who owned it down to 1317. Rising dramatically from the water of the moat is a gatehouse range of c.1400 that was built by their successors, the Hotot family. After a long period as a farmhouse, it was bought in 1993 by Hew Stevenson and the late Leslie Geddes-Brown (gardens editor for Country Life and author of numerous books on gardens), who both restored the house and developed the magnificent gardens, employing the Chelsea gold medallist, George Carter, to design the formal garden which stands on the one-acre island. High hornbeam and yew hedges divide the area into separate lawn spaces with eight formal flower beds and a herb garden. Vistas across the moat embrace the parkland and distant views of the countryside beyond.rnrnBeyond the moated area, the mood is natural and understated. Cow parsley is allowed to run riot on the moat banks, and there is a bog garden with a stream and waterfall, a series of ponds and orchards, a grassy walk through woodland, and the Moat Walk from which the Hall is seen reflected. One of the highlights is the formal vegetable garden adjoining an 18th-century timber-framed barn. It was created on the site of a partially demolished modern farm building whose brick walls were left standing to enclose a walled garden.rnrnA new walled flower garden has recently been created and a new bridge built across the moat. Head gardener Kate Elliott gave a fascinating talk to the SGT in February about her time spent lovingly developing the garden with the owners.rnrnPhoto: Kate Elliott