Wells Voice Article November 2024

For most of us grass is just grass. Some spirited gardeners even go as far as to call it a lawn. We mow the thing occasionally, some folk frantically, we trim the edges and enjoy a feeling of satisfaction of a job well done. The fact that this expanse of greenery consists of the most successful plant on the planet has probably escaped our notice. So too has the reality that all those cuttings contain up to a dozen different types of grass. Even those rugby pitches which have the appearance of a billiard table comprise a careful mixture of rye, bent and fescue. These are not the cow fields I used to play on.

Now if you were a real sporty type, you would care a bit more. The first-class professional pitches, grounds, parks, whatever you like to call them now start their life in science laboratories, where various mixtures of seed are tested and tried before going to Old Trafford, Headingly or Wimbledon. The turn of the century saw tennis at the Queen's Club become dominated by the big hitters. Serve and volley, serve and volley. Some beefy players were so muscular on one side that they looked like hermit crabs. The tennis became predictable. Something had to be done. The answer lay in the grass.

A special cocktail of grass mixture was produced with more ryegrass content which had the property of slowing down the ball and making it bounce higher and slower. Tennis became more interesting all thanks to the humble blades of grass.

Grass, cultivated lawn grass, is having a bit of a revamp at the moment. We let it grow longer, we hope for wildflowers to spring up and we are urged to dig it up and plant some trees, shrubs, anything. But it has its uses. There comes a tide in the affairs of men etc., and that flood comes when heaving, mattocking , bending and, above all, rising from a kneeling position become a challenge . Our own garden has been transformed. In a reverse unfashionable trend, the flower borders are grassed, and a sort of calm 18th century garden has appeared but without a lake and ha ha. The relief at the change has been palpable. The grubbing and grunting are things of the past. Tranquillity is all.

And this will be felt at the next meeting when Rosemary Legrand will take us on a tour of the Chinese province of Yunnan and reveal some of its hidden beauties. We are delighted to welcome Rosemary back to Wells since she always gives an excellent presentation. A former nursery owner breeding azaleas and

rhododendrons, photographer, writer and knowledgeable traveller, she will ensure an evening of informed enjoyment. Details as follows:-

     Wells & District Gardening Club

     Thursday 7th November 7.30pm Wells Town Hall

     Rosemary Legrand ' Adventures in Yunnan '

     Members £1 Visitors £3 Everyone is very welcome as it is open to all.

     Refreshments as well.