Chawton House virtual gardens

Round & About

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Celebrate gardens of all shapes and sizes with two days of talks, Q&As, interviews and readings… all online, and all for free

‘Get out’ and enjoy Chawton House’s virtual garden festival this weekend on May 30th and 31st at this garden event like no other.

The 400-year-old manor house was owned by Jane Austen’s brother Edward who gave his mother and sisters the nearby bailiff’s cottage, which became Jane Austen’s House Museum.

The event will bring you an exciting programme inspired by the Chawton House gardens and collections. Gardening talks and tips, botanical workshops, discussions with heritage gardeners, and a chance to take part in a virtual ‘best in show’ competition on Instagram will all feature.

Find out more about what it takes to manage a country house garden, the inspirations behind them and the team managing the gardens at Chawton House.

Learn about the extraordinary botanical women such as Elizabeth Blackwell who was also the inspiration behind their herb garden.

Take a virtual walk on Chawton House’s Jane Austen Garden Trail and find out more about Jane Austen and her love for gardens. There will also be plenty of opportunities to ask any questions that you might have as the Chawton House team share tips throughout the weekend to use in your own gardens.

Just register for your free weekend ticket and Chawton House will send you the full programme and line up. All content is free excluding their online creative writing workshops. There is a cost of £5 per session with festival sign ups given priority booking.

To find out more

Worship Online

Round & About

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Holding Sunday services online is one of the ways churches in the Newbury area have had to adapt to not being able to meet physically.

In a surprising development however, churches can also report that online congregations have more than doubled.

Mark Landreth-Smith, pastor of Bridge Church Newbury in Love Lane, said: “We are still feeling our way, to be honest, with streaming services, but it has been a pleasant surprise to see so many people joining in – more than would normally attend on a Sunday.

“I guess some people feel more comfortable in the own home with a mug of coffee watching online. For others, this present crisis may cause them to ask the bigger questions of life: Is there a God…Where is He…What is He doing… Does He even care…?”

Mark is also doing a daily vlog to keep in touch with church members and others who are interested.

“ I was asked to do the vlog and again, am surprised how many people watch it and give feedback, although most of the feedback is about what I am wearing!”.

Churches in the area are still open for business in supporting residents, practical, emotional help and prayer.

Most churches are offering some kind of Sunday online or streaming service. Why not find out what is happening at a church online near you…?

For further information

Contact Christian Together in the Newbury Area