June began with a visit to Gardening Leave by Trevor Pears of the Pears Foundation who so generously funded Professor Atkinson’s research into the benefits of Gardening Leave to our veterans.

The weather was kind to us and I was very glad that Trevor was finally able to see what we are doing at Gardening Leave and to meet some of our veterans.

Dry, still, weather helped to make the wonderful display of poppies last for almost the whole month although I realise the lack of rain didn’t please the fishermen!

Alan Harpur, one of our veterans went to St Mary’s R & R in SW Scotland where some of 2 Para were staying on Exercise Blue Glen.  Alan taught them to fly fish and they caught 11 fine trout between them and judging by the photos, a good time was had by all.

Major (Retd) ‘Stevie’ McAulay has accepted the job of Site Supervisor for the Stovehouse and we are really looking forward to welcoming him to the Gardening Leave family in August.

Our plant stall at the Hollybush fete was much smarter and better organised than last year (thank-you Pamela) but we didn’t shift as many plants.  Credit crunch and not such a good pitch as last year  but a Big Thank you to all who labelled, lifted, nailed and shifted and also to Tor and Sue who sold a lot of our plants at their local fete the same weekend.  All the money we raised goes to the ‘bacon roll fund’ for our lunches which have been on the BBQ for most of June.

The tomatoes in the Stovehouse are doing really well and the top terrace is full of onions, peas, beans, radishes and much more besides so all in all a productive month here at Gardening Leave.

I almost forgot  - the potting shed got a serious makeover in Gardening Leave’s ‘corporate colours’ and a big thank-you to Stephen for all his hard work – much admired!

Anna BC