Maghull and Lydiate U3A

Christmas dinner at the Dog and Partridge December 2nd was a memorable occasion with 80 members attending. We set of 9,15am with a stop at Barton Grange for morning coffee. Barton Grange is well worth a visit with some spectacular Christmas displays to see.

On arrival at the Dog and Partridge we were soon seated and enjoyed a festive dinner which everyone enjoyed. The food was excellent and all the members soon got into the Christmas spirit and enjoyed the whole day. Once again Many thanks to Ann Raw and Barbara Short for the effort they put in.

Norman Conway’s garden open again to U3A members last week proved as popular as ever, raising so far over £1000 for charity. Many thanks to all who worked so hard to make it such a success. Here are some pictures of the event.

Norman writes:

“My open garden event was an amazing success the 1st day saw my garden heaving with visitors viewing the flower displays and then sampling Ann and Barbara’s home made cakes, the weather was sunny and warm, however the 2nd day Saturday it was  heavy rain and visitors nil, that’s until late afternoon when it improved and again visitors arrived in large nos which took our Leukaemia fund to near £900 it now stands at just over a £1000 thanks to donations recieved from members who were unable to attend what an amazing group of people U3A members are to continue to help the fund .  I have spoken with the Haematology dept at Royal Liverpool research and have arranged to present the cheque in September I will announce the date in the coming weeks, the hospital have said   all income received is used without incurring any administrative costs at all and to thank you all for your very generous support over the last 3 years.

And a big big thank to Fred and  Ann Raw Barbara Short and all the helpers for providing cakes refreshments and thank to all our U3a members.”

Here in the Castle Gardens, whatever the season, there is always a wealth of plants and shrubs in flower from the earliest bulbs through many varieties of Magnolia, Camellia, Azalea, Rhododendrons. There is a magnificent golden canopied laburnum grove and a very fine Davidia involucrata (Dove Tree) in the glade, and many varieties of cornus. There is also a very pretty rose garden surrounded by mixed borders, containing a large variety of herbaceous plants and shrubs.
A gravel path leads from the double herbaceous border to a small gate house and thence into the Temple Garden, a delight to wander round, where you can watch the giant Koi carp swimming lazily in the small lake, and access, via two rustic bridges, the small islands in the centre.