A couple of months ago I contacted Sally Tierney (The Yorkshire Garden Designer) as I’m hoping to improve an overgrown area of the garden and make it into a little haven of tranquility with raised beds of herbs and flowers and a special garden seat but with minimal upkeep as I am away such a lot. I liked her premise that your garden should fit into your lifestyle and not the other way round. When she first arrived in October and we talked about my ideas she christened it ‘The Reading Garden’. Sally then told me about her forthcoming publication and invited me to the book launch.

This took place last Tuesday at Middlethorpe Hall, near York. Middlethorpe Hall is owned and run by The National Trust and it’s  a beautiful building and I hope one day to return for the full afternoon tea. I arrived early (yes, even at 2.30pm it was very dull and dusk-like) and had a walk round the hotel gardens; although the ground was soggy and paths were wet it wasn’t actually raining. A return visit in spring or summer is definitely to be arranged.

The Barlow Room is a separate suite from the main hotel occupying former stables.

For the event Sally was supported by Strulch (makers of straw mulch) and Colour Your Garden nurseries. Three copies of the book were raffled in aid of the local York-based charity Carecent which provides a hot breakfast for homeless people, 6 mornings a week, 52 weeks of the year. Lucky Caroline won a copy!

After welcoming us and thanking us for coming (books and tea and cake, what’s not to like?) Sally gave a short presentation and slideshow about her work and the book and why she had written it. This was followed by a Q&A.

It was a lovely, happy and inspiring afternoon. I met some interesting people including Etta Cohen who has a website and blog called Scones, jam & cream. Etta has since been in touch and has reblogged one of my posts. She has also asked me if I would like to write about any tea shops I happen to visit on my travels. I already have some ideas ‘up my sleeve’.

Sally and her book