Dilston Physic Garden News
Last updated 29th August 2009.
NEW SCULPTURE - THE MEDIEVAL PLAGUE DOCTOR
The Garden is home to many interesting pieces of artwork and sculpture. Local artist Adela Macdonald using a modern perspective has constructed the latest addition to the collection, the medieval plague doctor.
These characters wore what was probably a precursor to a modern day bio-hazard suit utilising herbs to help them breath and persevere with the stench.
time-space zone
Can you help us with any information ? New areas are being set up to display medicinal plants used in this country and in other parts of the world.The new areas will include:
Roman... Medieval... Jacobean... Ayurvedic... Tibetan...South American...Traditional Chinese ...
ADDITIONAL OPENING TIMES
The garden is now open until 15th October 2009 with additional Saturday openings on 5th September 2009 and 3rd October 2009, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Testing Medicinal Herbs at Dilston Physic Garden
Would you like to volunteer for Medicinal Herb Trials at Dilston Physic Garden? Please fill in our online form here.
FEEDBACK FROM Courses
We have had a wonderful response to courses that we have already run in 2009 such as the Creative Cooking With Herbs, Of Mint and Manuscript and Using Herbs/Herbals Remedies on our Animal Companions. Contact us if you have any ideas for 2010.
Charity Registration
We were pleased to hear that our application to register as a charity has been accepted (charity no. 11020141). We are currently looking at ways to develop the educational aims of the garden. Ideas include a range of information booklets for visitors with detailed histories of some of the herbs and their uses, as well as a more general souvenir booklet with tried and tested recipes for herb teas and cakes. We are also looking at possible ways to link into the school curriculum in order to make the garden available to school groups - if anyone can help us with this, please do get in touch.
President for Dilston Physic Garden
We are truly delighted to welcome as our president, Professor Anya Hurlbert, Professor of Visual Neuroscience at Newcastle University. She joins our existing team of Trustees, Elaine Perry, Nicolette Perry, Charles Beaumont, Liz Devonport, Helen Stephenson and Ross Menzies.
New sculptress in residence- Adela MacDonald
There is now a new SCULPTRESS IN RESIDENCE, Adela MacDonald. She created the ‘Flying Goddesses’ sculpture in the Magic Area last year. She has now made an equally exciting new figure for the Physic Garden - ‘THE GREEN MAN’ under the cypress arch beside the croquet lawn.
Artist in Residence - Jean Dawes
Local artist, Jean Dawes, has joined us at the Physic Garden as Artist in Residence. Jean lives in Ulgham, near Morpeth and, since retiring from a position with the Medical Research Council, has developed her lifelong love of painting in oils and acrylics. A keen flower arranger, Jean is fascinated by the beauty of plants and flowers and their use in healing and medicine.
Fun for kids!
For kids we have a new ‘PHYSIC GARDEN DRAWING LOFT’. We would like children to find a flower, leaf or fruit they really like - climb up the loft stairs - use the crayons and paper there to make a picture of it - take it to the Physic Hut with name and address- there will be a prize for the best picture at the end of the season.
Plans for expansion
The Physic Garden is expanding! We have a new one acre extension which is under development. To start with, we are planting a Willow Coppice (the most important medicinal tree which gave rise to aspirin) with lots of different willow trees species. There are further plans for a Totem pole symbolising important plants and animals, a new Picnic area and Physic House. We welcome suggestions for other exciting projects.
Plant information
We were fortunate, at the end of 2006, to receive lottery funding to replace all the old home-produced plant signs with professional ones. Local sign-maker, Robin Watson, came up with an attractive and eminently practical design and these are now all in place. Thanks to some detailed research by Elaine, we have been able to update and expand the information contained on the original signs. This means that visitors to the garden now have access to an unusual and eclectic database of the 600+ plants in the garden. Details include folk/magical associations, traditional medical herbalist uses and up-to-date scientific, clinical evidence.
PEOPLE
Garden curator, Elaine Perry, continues to work as Professor of Neurochemical Pathology at Newcastle University and at King's College, London. When she is not busy researching possible uses of herbs to treat disorders and diseases of the brain, she welcomes spending time at home developing the physic garden. She is particularly interested in creating dialogue between the worlds of medical science and complementary therapies and in possible future research opportunities involving the physic garden.
Consultant Herbalist, Ross Menzies, runs a clinic in Hexham. He has been in Practice for 9 years and treats patients with a wide variety of imbalances. As well as seeing patients, Ross runs regular courses on herbal medicine, has lectured on a Complementary Therapies degree course and tutored Herbal Medicine students. Ross has a particular interest in getting to know plants and trees on a deeper level, rather than just seeing them as a collection of chemicals that can be of medicinal benefit to us.
Maggie, Head Gardener, is a crucial part of the team. We greatly appreciate her intelligence, loyalty and commitment to all that happens here and indeed to all things alternative.
Volunteers - we have a conscientious team of keen volunteers who have assisted us in a number of ways over the past years. They bring with them a range of skills and a real sense of community. Previous volunteer Sue had this to say:-
"In 2006 I was looking for a volunteer gardening experience ‘with a difference’. When I visited Dilston in the late summer, I really felt enthused by the purpose of the garden and the feel of the environment. So, I was overjoyed to be accepted as a potential compost-carrying, soil-digging, wheelbarrow-toting garden helper and so I remain!
Plants for Sale
Last year, students at neighbouring Dilston College - a specialist MENCAP college for students with learning difficulties/disabilities, made a fantastic job of doing some propagating for us and we look forward to continuing this collaborative venture in 2009.
Herbs for sale may include:-
Caraway, Chamomile, Chives, Comfrey, Fennel, Lemon Balm, Mugwort, Parsley, Peppermint, Sage, Soapwort, Tansy, Thyme and Wild Garlic.
Remedy Memories
Do you remember any herbal remedies used by your parents or grandparents? A new initiative called Ethnomedical, which is based at Kew Gardens, is trying to collect such memories to establish a database to "honour the knowledge and wisdom of our older people and help benefit future generations". For further information, click here.