Cliff Bank Nursery; A new chapter by Ben Preston

 Presentation: Cliff Bank Nursery; A new chapter

 Ben Preston of Cliff Bank Nursery, Huby

Ben, former Head Gardener at York Gate, told us of the progress made at his nursery through his vision, hard work, enthusiasm and the support of his partner, Laura.

The site, formerly owned by Joe Maiden, had been closed for about eight years until Ben took it over about three years ago.

Since Friday Forum visited in September 2023, we could see the enormous improvements made and the challenges he had to overcome. He has employed a full time gardener, Nadine, formerly of Beningbrough Hall, to help realise his ambitions. Ben is interested in plants for all weathers and is experimenting with growing in sand.

 Ben saves all his own seeds and brought along a selection 

By the end of the talk, we felt as though Ben had taken us along on his journey.

The nursery is still evolving but will remain a plant nursery rather than a garden centre.

The website is Cliff Bank Nursery

The nursery is currently closed, except for Christmas trees and wreaths, but we hope to visit again soon when it reopens on 1^st April.

Display Table

Judith brought Phytolacca “Laka Boom” and offered the seeds with the caveat  that they are poisonous

 

 Amanda brought cuttings of Erysimum for members to take

 Ann brought a pot of Cymbidium orchids, which she mistook for Agapanthus before they flowered.

Next Meetings:

5th December: Forum - Making table decorations for Christmas. Please bring containers, foliage etc to create your personal display during the meeting.

19th December: Christmas party Quiz and food. Crafts demonstration by Peter Blackwell

 

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow, Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly." "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae

 

 Knitted poppies decorate the walls of the National Coastwatch Station on Hornsea Promenade

Celebrating the Poppy

Friday Forum member Dr Anne Bell gave us an interesting talk about the medicinal use of the poppy and its role in the world wars. The juice from the opium poppy was used to relieve pain and, during WW1 it was delivered by glass syringe and by WW2 soldiers were equipped with a dose to administer to themselves or a fellow soldier if wounded on the battlefield. The drug Laudanum, made from poppies, was used as a stimulant by authors and poets in the Victorian era. Originating in the Eastern Mediterranean region where it was known as the Joy Plant as far back as 3,400 BC, the East India company traded with China which sparked the Opium Wars.

Kate then gave a presentation on the various species of poppy.

Members brought various examples of poppies:

Marjorie’s scarf adorned with poppies 

 Poppy seed heads and some sprayed gold

Ann’s brought a book which  includes illustrated poems about poppies

 Linda brought bread rolls sprinkled with poppy seeds

 Kate made this cross stitched sampler which includes a poppy for August

                                        Amanda’s packet of poppy seeds

 

 Peter’s beautiful painting of a poppy

Poppy seedlings from our late member Margaret Hayton grown on by Norma 

 

Norma’s ceramic poppy from the Tower of London Centenary in 2014

Sue G read John McCrae’s poem On Flanders Field and explained how poppies grew on the earth disturbed by explosions and the digging of trenches in WW1. She also told us how the gardeners of Sissinghurst found a white poppy for their garden by obtaining seed from the local bakery.

Judith showed us the illustrated book on poppies by Christopher Grey-Wilson borrowed from the library at Harlow Carr

 Maggie M brought this lovely painting of poppies by a local artist

 … and last but not least, Ann in her Poppy design cardigan

Display Table

Proof that there is an amazing and abundant range of flowers in the gardens of our members.

 

Amanda brought a mix of annuals and perennials: Mallow, Nasturtium, Snapdragon, Alyssum, Rosemary, Fuchsia Delta Sarah, Primrose, Calendula, Winter Honeysuckle, Spiraea, Potentilla, Geranium, Daphne transatlantica and Dahlia

 Kate brought Rosa: mutabilis,The Fairy and Blush Noisette, Erysimum Bowles Mauve, Pelargonium capitatum, Ceratostigma willmottianum, Salvias Amistad and Mystic Sprires

 Amanda also brought this Salvia

 Wendy brought Mahonia, Alcathea Park Allee and Park Rondell, Scabious Kudo Pink, Osteospermum, Abelia Kaleidoscope,Erodium La Feline and Spanish Eyes, Diascia Personata, Vigilis and Fetucanensis, Clematis Arabella, Penstemon Just Jayne and Osprey and Salvias Amistad, Pink Amistad, Hot Lips, Amethyst Lips, Blue Note, Salmon Dancer, Neon, Involucrata, Delice Aquamarine, Desert Blaze, Nachtvlinder, Flower Child, and Lemon Light.

Ann: Aster agerezo murazaki, Bergenia, Weigelia, Alstromeria Indian Summer, Dahlia, Rosa Golden Showers, Nerine, Liriope, Crocosmia Emily McKenzie, Ceratostigma Desert Skies, Persicaria affinis and Vibernum bodnatense Dawn 

 Wendy also brought this ornamental grass for identification

Next Meetings

21st November: Presentation -Ben Preston (Cliff Bank Nursery). A New Chapter

5th December: Forum - Making table decorations for Christmas

19th December: Christmas party Quiz and food. Crafts demonstration by Peter Blackwell.  Members are encouraged to dress suitably for the occasion!

The new programme for 2026 can be found on the blog