Phoenix Garden Events
Back to Nature
Free weekly sessions for those aged over 55 years, Tuesday 12:30-14:30 (timings subject to occasional change)
CLICK ON THE LINK TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN OUR MAY PROGRAMME
5 May
Mindful Collage-Making. A relaxed, creative activity using magazines and catalogues to cut out and arrange images into a personal, garden focused collage. We will create large, collaborative pieces to display.
This calming process encourages mindfulness, reduces stress, and supports wellbeing through gentle focus and creative expression. It also gives you plenty of time for drinking coffee and chatting.
12 May
Flower hammering & dried leaf art. We’ll create our own, individual works of art and use these for a large collaborate piece. You are welcome to take your creations home or leave them with us to be used alongside other art work to make a display piece for the building and our Annual General Meeting at Dragon Hall in November.
We’ll experiment with two techniques; hammering fresh flowers onto pre-treated watercolour paper and folding origami box frames within which we’ll paste dried leaves and flowers.
If you have any old road maps that you no longer need, please bring these along. We will be joined by an origami expert to help us make the little box frames.
Friday 15 May – all day trip
Trip to Isabella Plantation. We’ll be taking public transport to visit the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park. We’ll meet outside Putney Bridge Station (District Line) at 11:00. From there we’ll get the 85 bus that stops right outside the station. This will drop us at Warren Road and from there it’s a short walk to the Isabella Plantation. Please note – the walk from the bus stop is downhill so we will be walking uphill on the way back. There are very few benches so bring a cushion or something to sit on for our lunch break. Please keep an eye on the weather forecast in case you need to bring an umbrella and wellies. There is no café so you’ll need to bring a picnic lunch.
19 May – all day trip
Garden Wellbeing Day at Hampton Court Palace.
Meet at Hampton Court Station 11:00. Trains from Waterloo leave 10:06 from platform 1. If you need help with travel, let Louise know.
What to expect on the day:
- Groups will be able to access the West and South Front palace gardens and the Little Banqueting House (The East Front gardens will be closed)
- Gardens you will be able to visit: Rose Garden, Kitchen Garden, Tiltyard, Wilderness, Pond Gardens, Orchard, Lower Orangery, Knot Garden, Privy Garden.
- Please see our Garden Map online here: hampton-court-gardens-map-web.pdf
- Hampton Court Palace is closed to the public on this day.
- The Maze, Magic Garden, cafes and shops will not be open on the day.
Activities:
We will be providing free activities for groups during your visit to support wellbeing and provide an opportunity for creativity and connection. The drop-in sessions will run throughout the day. Please be aware that we have limited capacity in the Clore Learning Centre due to space and health and safety restrictions. If the activity is full, we might ask that you and your group perhaps visit another part of the gardens first or do a different activity and return later. Please be assured that we will do our best to make sure everyone has an opportunity to engage with both the drop-in and bookable sessions. More information on activities will be sent closer to the event.
Drop-in sessions:
Be Nice to Nettles: A Colourful art workshop exploring the wonder of weeds.
Cultivating Happiness: Meet our Community Gardener Beth who will share her love of growing and wellbeing with a hands-on planting experience.
Music in the Garden: A special session in our peaceful Orchard where you will be invited to create your own soundscape inspired by the gardens.
Little Banqueting House: Our wonderful Palace Hosts team will be opening a hidden gem in the gardens, the Little Banqueting House, so that groups can experience the stunning views over the River Thames, magnificent painted walls and ceilings and intricate carvings.
26 May
Cyanotype printing. Using flowers, leaves and grasses we’ll create art work to frame, make greetings cards or add to our collaborative display. This photoreactive process create a negative image once exposed and fixed, the flower or leaf will be reproduced as white on a blue background – hence how they got the name of blueprints.
Please wear old clothes or bring an apron as the cyanotype solution does not wash out. We will provide gloves. This session will take place in the garden to avoid staining the bricks or furniture.
Monday 1 June 10:00-12
Guided tour of the Waldorf Hilton Hotel. This event is fully booked.
