Frankie and Jim Mason

Forde Abbey Summer Fair

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Forde Abbey holds an annual Summer Fair with all profits going to charity. Today was the perfect day.  Set in the beautiful grounds of the Abbey there were dozens of classic cars, model boats and fly fishing demonstrations on the lake, a dog show,  birds of prey displays, a fun fair, lots of food, wine and beer and many stalls promoting local produce.

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The Centenary Fountain celebrates 100 years of the Roper family at Forde Abbey. Powered by a pump from the strawberry farm on the estate, it reaches a height of 160 feet and is the highest powered fountain in England. Running in and out of the spray is a great sport for younger visitors to the garden and if you stand at the top end of the fountain, you’ll often see a rainbow

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Today was the hottest day in recorded history in the UK.  Also the first day of Boris’s Prime Ministership – so, all in all, an auspicious day. The kids cooling off under the Forde Abbey fountain couldn’t have cared less.

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Robin the Unicorn patiently allowing lots of little girls to pat him.

Birds of prey display

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A few of the dozens of classic cars

Nice Ferrari
Ferrari engine

Forde Abbey Grounds and Gardens

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From 1141 to the present day, Forde Abbey is a stunning example of history preserved but not petrified. Alice and Julian Kennard have inherited a garden rich in history but are keen to live and work in an informal style and you’ll often find Alice in the garden, tackling the latest project in hand.

 

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Sir Francis Gwyn created the beginnings of the modern garden during the early 18th-century. Gwyn used the water from the Great Pond to create the connecting three lower ponds while also laying out the lawns and drives and, in keeping with the design principles of the day, incorporating great yews and limes to lead the eye along significant views and vistas
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The Evans family bought the Abbey and estate in 1864 and under their stewardship the garden at Forde Abbey was of typical Victorian design, with the extensive walled garden to the north and dark shrubberies to the South. Summer bedding provided the colour to frame the house but the garden was very labour intensive and even at the outbreak of the First World War required ten full time gardeners to maintain it.

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It was delightful to visit Forde Abbey on such a perfect English Summer day. We will certainly make a return visit to tour the house and further explore the grounds on a quieter day.

 

 

 

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