Blog postings on this site have been a bit thin on the ground of late. Apologies – I’ve temporarily deserted my posts (as it were) to blog for the Chelsea Fringe, the fantastic new festival of gardening that burst onto the horticultural scene last summer. With entries coming in thick and fast, the 2013 Fringe is shaping up to be bigger, better and even bolder than its predecessor, with an inspiring programme of imaginative, fun and creative garden related events. The emphasis is on participation and there’s plenty to get stuck into, and often for free. There are art exhibitions, poetry events, botanic cocktails, edible high roads, conveyor belt plant swaps, knit-your -own-veg workshops as well as, of course, some fabulous gardens to see. The Fringe runs for three weeks from 18 May to 9 June, and this year will be embracing satellite Fringes in Bristol, Vienna, and Kent as well as London. Check out the website for the full low down – www.chelseafringe.com.
As well as my behind-the-scenes work on the website, I’m really excited that I’m going to be part of the Fringe too, talking about London’s Secret Gardens at the Idler Academy on 23 May, 6.30-8.30pm. With its “Idlers’ Grove” courtyard garden and beautifully curated bookshelves, it’s the perfect venue for an armchair tour of some of the intriguing city gardens that I discovered while researching The London Garden Book A-Z. Tickets are £15 and can be booked by calling the Idler on 0207 221 5908 or via the following link http://idler.co.uk/product/events/londons-secret-gardens-with-abigail-willis-thursday-may-23rd-at-7-00pm/
Outside the Girdlers' Hall, City of London
