This afternoon I heard snippets of the tennis commentary as I drove into Cambridge, the Tardis laden with bags and bags of old magazines. I don't know what possessed me to hang on to them for so long, almost 15 years of RHS The Garden mags. I used to read every page and keep them for future reference (in the days before Google) but they got stashed in the far corner of the room we rarely go into and forgotten. A few years ago I tried to find someone who may have a use for them, without success.
Feeling in a decluttering frame of mind I announced on Twitter that all The Garden mags would go in the paper recycling bin unless someone spoke up sharpish . . .
"Squeaky Gate wants them!"
So . . . that's where they've gone . . . to the lovely people at Squeaky Gate in Cambridge, a charity that works with people who have slipped outside the education system for whatever reason and need a helping hand to regain their confidence and believe in themselves and the skills they have through music, performance AND this summer through a very exciting garden design project. They are getting lots of help from the talented gardeners at Cambridge University Botanic Gardens and an eminent garden designer . . . my mountain of magazines will be cut up and used to inspire their garden ideas.
In this timeless corner of England, it always will.
Celia
xx
PS this blog is brought to you from a tent in our garden, I'll add links later - blogger app won't let me do them on my iPad
PPS has Andy Murray won yet?
PPPS Now with added links x
Celia, I loved reading every bit of this post. I've recently done some printed paper clearing out myself, and it was okay to bid farewell to some of my cherished keepsakes.
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking that these bits and pieces will now inspire and amuse someone else.
And...yes, Andy M did win. On this day off I was watching ESPN Wimbledon coverage from breakfast time, with a midday errand break, followed up with a return to Andy's match as the question arose about closing the roof.
The Juan Martin v. Novak match was one for the ages. Both men were really winners. Hoping all get lots of rest before Sunday. Wishing that I didn't have to go to work both tomorrow and Sunday.
Finding out the results later isn't quite the same as seeing the drama unfold. Don't you think?
xo
I can't quite believe Squeaky Gate really are pleased to have a pile of old magazines. But they assured me they were thrilled!
DeleteI'm pleased you had a relaxing day watching Wimbledon. I find that I'm not interested enough to watch it on the TV, but happy to sort of follow it on the radio or internet.
Then again if the weather stays this hot, I'll be plaesed to sit indoors on Sunday and watch the men's final.
xx
What a lovely place to blog from! And what a delightful day you sound to have had!!
ReplyDeleteI have pushing 20 years worth of Country Living magazines and no idea what to do with them, but they can't stay in my mother's loft for much longer!!
Oh, and I'll echo what Frances said about the tennis ... two very different matches yesterday, but I think in both the better player prevailed :)
Are you sure your mum's ceilings can take the weight!!!
DeleteI'm letting Wimbledon happen on the periphery this year.
Fantastic that you were able to find such a worthy home for your mags - I'd never thought of tweeting them before (is that even grammatically correct?)Love the look of your tent! Jane x
ReplyDeleteI know! I did target my tweet to two Cambridge gardeners, one just happens to be working at the Botanic Garden and is helping Squeaky Gate.
DeleteThe tent probably qualifies as 'vintage' as it belongs to my other half and predates our marriage.
What a lovely sounding day. It sums up everything I love about living near Cambridge.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Gina, Cambridge is full of extraordinary and interesting people and places.
DeleteAlthough crowded, the Orchard Tea Garden was tranquil, shady and secluded - perfect for a relaxed business tea.
xx
What a lovely day. And what a lovely piece of cake.
ReplyDeleteI had a mighty crush on Rupert Brooke when I was about 15 and remember the photos of all those languid forms lolling in deckchairs. The epitome of English Edwardian (or should that be Georgian?) summers.
Meanwhile, back in the present: C'mon Andy!!
Oh, so did I! Especially as my school was only a couple of miles from Grantchester.
DeleteI love the look of your vintage tent and the thought of camping in the garden, somehow very fitting after a day spent at the Orchard Tea Garden. I can just imagine Rupert Brooke and his friends doing a similar thing!
ReplyDeleteLooks like the tent will stay up all week.
DeleteAfter reading this, I feel I must do something about my own pile of magazines, too. I keep so many in case of reference, but they're mainly forgotten. I loved reading about Grantchester, I've only visited it a couple of times but on each visit it was summer and sunny, and so that's how I remember it.
ReplyDeleteI now feel that my Garden mags had been waiting for their 'moment'!
DeleteI think that it can never be anything but a languid summer afternoon in The Orchard, Grantchester (it will be heaving with tourists today!).
As Annie, I also had about the same amount of CL. Quite a pile of The Artist and The Artist and Illustrators Magazine. The CLs are going into the recycling bags each week but I would really like to give the other things to someone who would use them.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of the tent but I don't think I could manage to put one up nowadays.
I have, thankfully, managed to avoid the tennis, it bores me to tears.
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
I sure you can find an art group that would love your magazines. Twitter certainly came up trumps by suggesting Squeaky Gate - I've found some many local businesses, suppliers and events that way.
DeleteI might sit in the tent and listen to the men's tennis final.