The weather has been wet and windy in Sardis, with no sign of summer, but the floral boxes have been planted up because, like all gardeners, the volunteers of Sardis Parks and Gardens are optimists!
There was a strange sight recently, on an exceptionally stormy day, when three women in fluorescent jackets and waterproofs were seen carrying watering cans to water the tubs near the arch. These tubs are sheltered from all but the heaviest rain because they are under the trees, but did need water. In fact, there has been so much rainfall in Sardis that regular waterers Jane and Lucy are out of a job, although usually in July there is need to water floral boxes almost every day.
This year, the summer bedding plants have been sponsored by the Environment Agency Action Earth and Morrisons the supermarket. The floral boxes were planted with summer bedding purchased from Tavernspite Garden Centre and all the plants are thriving, despite the weather. The begonias are providing strong patches of colour beneath the trees.
The grass along the roadside verges is very lush and green and a pleasure to behold, thanks to regular mowing by Alan Davies and Ashley Phillips. They are to be seen cutting the grass between showers, even though they have their own lawns to mow.
George Thomas keeps the village banks trimmed using the old Pembrokeshire tools of a hook (or sickle as it is sometimes called) and a pitchfork. It is a pleasure to watch George in action as he expertly cuts the vegetation, often with an audience of people who wonder how he works so quickly and silently. There is no noise and no smell from an engine when George is in action. He just works quietly with the skill and know how, cutting the banks to allow the wildlife to flourish.
George also works in the woodland cutting the bracken and brambles so that the bluebells can flower each spring, although all is not well in the woodland as there is a problem with the encroaching garden escape Montbretia, which is spreading and killing the native plants. A solution is being sought, with the help of the Countryside Council for Wales, as to the best way to control this plant.
Who knows when the summer will start in Sardis? Until and when it does, Sardis Parks and Gardens hope to continue to give pleasure to the many people who live in the village and to those who pass through in spite of the weather.