GOLD AWARD WINNERS in 2010 RHS Britain in Bloom ‘Large Village’ category

Floral St Peter's FEBRUARY 2012 Newsletter
(printed in the February edition of the parish magazine)

To read back issues of Floral St Peters Newsletter - Click here

Sheep grazing
Young farmer Stefan Yerby has moved 23 of his sheep into the meadow at Le Ch'min du Trésor.  Stefan has provided secure fencing around the area and installed a wooden gate at Les Buttes entrance.   

He tells us that the black and white sheep are called Jacobs. They are an ‘unimproved’ breed which means it is untouched by the commercialisation of agriculture. The breed supposedly originates from the East and has a biblical origin. The story goes that Jacob kept every speckled and spotted sheep from his father-in-law Laban's flock and bred them, thus creating a new breed.

Stefan with Larry the Lamb

The big white sheep are Lleyns (pronounced "cleans"), originating from the Lleyn peninsula in Wales. They are a much larger and more commercial breed.  Stefan crosses his Lleyns with a Suffolk ram to produce a high quality meat.  Stefan is pictured with Larry the lamb.

No dogs please
Whilst the sheep are grazing dogs are not permitted in the area.  However, walkers are still very welcome to wander through Le Ch'min and enjoy the tranquillity of this peaceful oasis at the heart of our parish.  Please ensure that the gates are kept closed in order to protect the sheep.

Preparing for winter
Although the weather has been incredibly mild so far we thought it would be wise to protect some plants from potential frost damage during the rest of the winter.  We've tied up the fronds of the cordylines in the Post Office tubs.  This way, in the Spring, we can unwrap them and hopefully they will still be in first class condition.

Cordylines tied up for winter

La Tourelle junction takes shape
Work at La Tourelle junction is nearing completion.  The Floral Group has selected a granite trough to sit on the granite cobbles at the western end of the traffic island.  A team from Floral Guernsey Legacy Project sponsors, HSBC, will be coming along to help plant trees on the bank and put in agapanthus on the traffic island.

La Tourelle junction in mid January

South African experiment!
This stunning Leucadendron ‘Safari Sunset’ (a member of the protea family), is  now in flower in the Marie de Garis Community Garden. Although it comes from South Africa the Leucadendron normally flowers at this time of year in our hemisphere.  Jane Russell grows it at Mille Fleurs where she says it has been like a 'beacon' in winter. She suggested planting it in the garden to create a bit of seasonal colour. We are hoping it will come through the winter and provide many months of brilliant colour for years to come

Leucadendron ‘Safari Sunset’ in the Marie de Garis Community Garden

 If you would like to get in touch please contact one of our Group. We are:

Al Brouard (263618), Paul  Domaille (263315), Jill  Bray (253204), Nigel Baudains (266036),, Maurice Strike (263544), Marguerite Talmage (264396), Pete & Marine Dobson (264397) Mary Sebire (264894)