Garry Courtnell Exhibits 7th June – 21st August

We are delighted to announce a brand new exhibition is now in situ in the Garden Cafe at Scampston. 

Garry Courtnell paints in oil and acrylic mainly from imagination using the motif of landscape, finding inspiration from places visited, remembered or simply imagined. He creates lively expressive landscapes.

Garry has been a practicing artist & photographer for 25 years though over the past few years has concentrated mainly on painting, receiving much acclaim for his exhibitions in York, Newcastle and his hometown of Hartlepool.

"I have no real notion at the out-set; the painting grows organically out of abstract blotches and marks. I find this way of working appealing as I never know how a painting will turn out. Some do some don’t in which case I just paint over, again and again. Every painting is a journey - an adventure."

Garry's Influences are numerous, but most recently they have been British modernism and Chinese brush painting.

The exhibition will be held in the Garden Cafe from the 7th June until the 21st August, come and take a peek :) 

Weaving the Willow with Anthea Firth

Today was the first of a series of four courses which will be delivered by Anthea Firth in willow weaving. Using malleable wet willow the group were shown how to fashion the wood into the elegant shape of a dragonfly - each with its own personality!

Anthea's beautiful dragonflies will be popping up on display in the Conservatory and Cafe over the coming days.

Following a successful day, and many happy weavers, Anthea will be running further courses this summer:

8th July - Rabbits & Hares
2nd Sept - Deer
4th Oct - Pigs

For more information, and to book, visit http://www.scampston.co.uk/events.html 

Triumph on 'Drive It Day' at Scampston

This weekend we were delighted to welcome the Federation of British Historic Vehicle's Club to Scampston Hall for their annual 'Drive It Day'. The  cars parked in front of Scampston Hall, a very appropriate back-drop for such beautifully-kept historic vehicles!

For anyone with an interest in vintage cars, Scampston's annual Vintage Fair, this year on the 12th June, will be a great opportunity to admire them!

Not only will there be cars, but also clothes, stalls, music, delicious food and drink, and (touch wood) sunshine!

Tickets are available here! http://www.britaindoesvintage.co.uk/scampston-vintage-festival/

Busy in the Bothys

This week has been very busy in the Bothy Garden!  Volunteers at Scampston Heritage & Learning Centre have been working closely with Camphill Village Trust, sowing lots of flower and vegetable seeds and working hard to rid the beds of weeds. 

 In the centre of the herb bed a wigwam was made with poles cut from Scampston woods. This will support new plants as they grow this summer.

A variety of different plants were added to the herb beds. There is now have a good mixture of herbs, which will help Catherine to make some delicious dishes in the Garden Cafe!

At the end of our gardening day we celebrated the completion of the new Bothy Garden Sign which has been hand-carved by volunteer Jeff.      

For more information about volunteering at Scampston, contact our Heritage & Learning Officer hlo@scampston.co.uk 

Embroidering Landscapes with Corinne Young

Yesterday we enjoyed a lovely full day workshop in the Conservatory with artist Corinne Young. 

With a table abundant in materials - a true craftsperson's dream - the group of budding embroiderers were invited to take inspiration from the landscape here at Scampston. 

Using a number of creative techniques, they were able to depict trees, bridges, flowers and water, carefully capturing ripples and reflections. 

The course runs as part of the Capability Brown 300 festival, which marks the 300th anniversary of Brown - the landscape architect who changed the face of England. 

For information about further courses, lectures and events, please visit our website www.scampston.co.uk/events 

Logging Good!

With less than one month until we open to the public once more, the team have been making sure that the children's play area on the cascade circuit will keep the little ones entertained.

Scampston's gardeners Paul and Annie, woodsman Nigel, along with some of our gardening volunteers and Marley the dog, were busy working in the sunshine yesterday. If almost felt like spring, with daffodils springing up!

A key theme for us at Scampston is to ensure that the gardens and parkland remain as natural and sustainable as possible. It made sense therefore to make use of a large tree which had fallen in recent heavy winds. Chainsaw at the ready - Nigel cut this into sections which will be used for children to jump, step and climb on. It will also lead them into the natural 'wigloo', a growing willow igloo. The larger bits of wood will also be used to provide more seating in the parkland.

Do pop along once we open on the 25th March to test out your balance and agility on the new log course, whatever your age!

A wood-working Wednesday

Wednesday was a busy day for Camphill Village Trust at Scampston. With the help of volunteers Jeff and Andy,  the group finished the picnic table they have been making, which will sit in the Bothy Garden for the volunteers to use for their lunch (once the weather improves of course!) 

Jane painted it with the wood preservative,  Ian sanded the wood with help from Camphill Village Trust and Jonathan put in the last screws.

George was dab hand at fixing the new Shadow Board for the hand tools and drilling the holes for the screwdrivers.

A good mornings work was done!

It was exciting to see a pair of blue tits in a new bird box they had assembled last year and had put in the Bothy garden.  Spring is on its way at last.