Two Successful Purbeck businesses are joining forces, as the Salt Pig from Wareham and Swanage takes over the running of the FARM SHOP at Holme for Gardens Liz who has managed the FARM SHOP since 2010 will be stepping down to focus back on the gardening side of Holme, helping Simon turn the 15-acre grounds into one of southern England’s loveliest gardens and a haven for nature. Liz & Simon have decided to let out the Farm Shop to an experienced and successful local food retailer who shared the same ethos in terms of standards, customer service, and sustainability. The Salt Pig with their two existing urban Farm Shops, local sourcing and friendly customer relations was the perfect fit. Simon says ‘I am excited about this agreement as it will be good for both businesses and for customers by improving choice and local provenance. With Liz having more time, we will be able to focus on developing our very popular ORCHARD CAFE, the GARDENS and GARDEN CENTRE. The Salt Pig brand is all about quality food, locally produced, and served by friendly people. It will be offering a selection of their delicious food to eat in and to takeaway. Read about James and The Salt Pig www.thesaltpig.co.uk

TICKETS ON SALE NOW for some of our Fabulous plays we are having this year in the Amphitheatre. These were extremely popular in 2022, so just pop over to the What's on page to BOOK your tickets. Our 'Lunch Time' Swing group are also back this year, no need to book, just check for the dates, come along to the Orchard Cafe and enjoy lunch with a difference! So much has happened over the last few years. Simon has extended the beautiful gardens to include Jim's Wood, with Rare Camellia, Japanese Maples and ferns gradually replace the thick carpet of holly seedlings there at the moment. An Apple Orchard and Sterling-Ellis Meadow with 150 varieties of apple trees and a lovely long grass meadow teeming with wildlife and, my favourite, Wisteria walk, with 14 different Wisteria varieties which are going to be so stunning in a few years' time. Of course, lots of our visitors enjoy our Annual Flower Field – Once a common site in the UK countryside, our cornfield annuals will again put on a sensational show in June and July for you all to ENJOY.

Our 2021 Events were mostly SOLD OUT on each performance, and we cannot Thank enough the companies involved. The 'critically acclaimed theatre company 'Chapterhouse', The Team of professional actors and directors from 'Folksy Theatre', 'Rain or shine, Gloucester based professional theatre company, our very own 'Top Notes' with Emma, a youth theatre company based in Wareham and the amazing 'Pastures New' with Mezzo-soprano Grace Lovelass, tenor Matt Connolly and pianist Toby Nelms , a local musical theatre and comedy trio who performed Songs from the stage performed in our Beautiful open air Amphitheatre. Next Year’s performance dates are coming very soon.

I am looking forward to showing the Gardens off this year to you all . The 22'000 new bulbs will start showing at the end of January and I can't wait for you to see my new project. I have called it Butterfly Valley. It includes a lake, a mix of perennial wildflowers to adorn the valley sides and I hope this will be completed before Summer! So many more ideas yet, but I have been told to keep them to myself for now........ The Gardens are FREE to enjoy now until the end of February, perfect for a winters walk. From March the cost of the day pass will be £5 and the season ticket only £15. Join us as we grow together! Simon

Our 2 Quizzes this year have raised a fantastic £536. This money goes straight to the Lewis-Manning Hospice and supports the tremendous work staff and volunteers do with patients and their families who face life-limiting illnesses. Liz says ‘we are delighted to be able to donate to such a good cause and are pleased to be able to give something back to the community.’ Photo with Vanessa & Sue Dates for 2020 quizzes coming soon!

Grand opening of the Holme Amphitheatre, now available to book for outdoor performances. Actress Joanne David Officially to open new grass amphitheatre at Holme On a beautiful summer evening in July, our first performance was held in the brand new outdoor arena. A large number of guests enjoyed canapés and prosecco by the ponds before being led down through the gardens by the Wareham Town Crier and into the amphitheatre where they spread themselves over the grass terraces to await the performance. After a short opening ceremony, the crowd were entertained by some extremely talented local youngsters from the Top Notes Youth Theatre based in Wareham. Their group tutor Emma Aldir opened the show with a commanding rendition of “Cabaret”. The youngsters then enthralled the audience with a selection of well known songs from musicals. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all. Joanna David took time out from her busy schedule to be at Holme and lead the celebration. She said “I felt so privileged to be asked because I have seen Holme grow and develop over the years into the beautiful place it is today. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful facility right on our doorstep and this new performance venue will be a fantastic asset for the community.” The grass theatre could easily accommodate a seated audience of 500 and more for a standing concert. The outdoor sound system worked perfectly and it is now hoped to attract a range of performers to put on plays, jazz, blues, classical and folk concerts as well as being made available to local schools, community groups and charities for fund raising events. Whatever takes your fancy really!

This year we have gone further afield to source plants from all over Europe Holme for Gardens have been selling the best quality plants for over 25 years and this year we have gone further afield to source plants from all over Europe for you, our customer to enjoy. Come and see our range of the healthiest trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials and bedding that we stock. Spring is just around the corner and it is now the time to pick from our fantastic selection of plants for you to enjoy all Summer. At Holme you will find the most amazing colours, smells and visions that will look stunning in your garden all year round. Ask the experts the next time you are here and make the best of your garden. We offer a delivery service for a small charge.