* The total length of shuttering is dictated by your plan.
1. Mark out your plan with bamboo canes and string lines making sure the paths and beds are the right size. Dig out the paths to a depth of 10cm, pilling the soil in the middle of the beds, and hammer wooden pegs into the ground along their edge using the string lines to keep them straight. The pegs form the supports for the edge of the raised beds.
2. Cut the timber shuttering to length and prop against the pegs, making sure that they're level.
3. Then nail into position, supporting the back of the peg with a spade.
4. Build up the design regularly, checking that the paths are straight and the beds square. If you're making a circle, put it in last.
5. To get the borders ready for sowing, dig compost into the soil - a barrowful for every 2m, and firm gently with the flats of your feet and then rake level. Flatten out the paths and cover with gravel.
Reference "The Garden Makeover Book", by Toby Buckland.

Ruthe Gray
ruthegray@talk21.com
Phone: 01366 328 941

There is a Gardening Club in Oxborough, with a full calendar of outings and events planned for 2003 - please contact Ruthe for a membership form or further details.

Inside this issue:

My Weekend away
By Brian Hull

My Holiday really started when we got north of Huntingdon and left the "Black  Fens" behind us. We headed for Bridgenorth and the Folk Festival being held there. I had been asked along by my Son and Daughter-in-Law who were taking part in this three day event: Andrew belonging to The Downham Market Ouse Washes Molly Dance Team. The nearest I've been to dancing with them was at a Celdhi on their wedding party night. I was jumping over broomsticks, joined by Robbie Robinson, what a sight.
I was attracted to this trip by the fact that I had served an apprenticeship as a Trainee Chef at The Crown Hotel in Bridgenorth some 49 years earlier. It was for me "Going Home".
On the way I had been asked to look out for Shaun with his Digger on the M6 at Birmingham. You would expect with a name like Shaun that he would

have come from Ireland, but no, he is Northwold bred and born. As we came upon the road works I saw no sign of him: plenty of Slow Down signs though. I remarked "How blessed we are to have the Irish Paddy doing the road Work - "Tar Mac".
Bridgenorth is on two levels, High Town and Low Town and is very beautiful. My heart skipped a beat on first sight of it. The Folk Festival was a great success and took the town by storm. As the Molly Dancers dressed as Washer  women I was quite convinced by my son's garb that I had gained another daughter.
Just in passing, Ginny and I stayed at a "Pristine" Bed and Breakfast. I learnt two things at this establishment. One was how to fold a toilet roll in a V shape, and the other was how to get in and out of the shower cubicle. It goes beyond saying that it's form was like a Telephone Kiosk. Once in, a devil to get out. You learn by the minute.

Brian Hull