Update from our Garden and Grounds Manager - Ceris

This month, as Garden and Grounds Manager, I am excited to be starting the summer plans for developing and enhancing the Lam Rim Wales grounds.

In consultation with the Trustees, a Long Term Plan and Scheme of Work has been devised which will follow the seasons and includes plans for each of the main areas of the grounds.

The green spaces around Lam Rim Wales have been categorised into the following sections and each will be developed over time, to create a different opportunity and experience for visitors to the Centre:

1. The Prayer Path

2. The Woodland

3. The Orchard

4. The Allotment

5. The Courtyard

6. The Fire Puja

7. The Meadow

During my recent series of visits to Lam Rim Wales, I have been grateful to spend time in the various areas of the grounds during different times of the day and night. This has given me the perspective needed to consider the types of experiences a visitor of Lam Rim might have during their stay, alongside the potential for the development of the grounds.

The grounds of the Centre are without doubt a huge asset of Lam Rim Wales. The main reason being the wealth of space that encircles the building, and secondly, the area being an excellent representation of the surrounding natural landscape.

When people come to Lam Rim Wales, they are in effect, setting aside time for themselves – whether to develop their spiritual practice, attend Buddhist teachings, sit in contemplation or meditation, chat and be with community, and / or nurture their well-being. Whatever their motivation for visiting the Centre, spending time in the countryside will automatically be part of their stay. Therefore, the plans for the grounds at Lam Rim Wales aim to maximise the positive experience for its visitors - because as we know, the countryside offers so many benefits for our health and well-being of body and mind.

The initial priority has been clearing and tidying the spaces directly outside the house so that course attendees can enjoy sitting out during their refreshment and lunch breaks and hopefully benefit from our warmer summer days. We are then working our way outwards and beginning to control the brambles in the woodland borders so that the hedgerows can grow and flourish - whilst being mindful that brambles are an excellent food source for all wildlife and for people too! The berries are sure to feature in our late summer desserts for guests!

We have embraced the national no mow May and June initiative and are enjoying the varieties of wildflowers evident in the grounds which are beneficial to pollinating insects such as hoverflies, bees and butterflies. Some of these wildflowers can also provide food for other creatures such as birds and small mammals.

In addition, new wildflower areas will be prepared and planted with a diverse range of flora aimed at providing food for flying insects such as moths and honeybees. In this way we will be continuing to improve the environment needed for their survival. We will include suitable plants with fragrant nighttime scents like honeysuckle, jasmine, and stocks.

We have already begun to safeguard areas for minibeasts and bugs to flourish in their natural habitats. Visitors can look out for these areas as they stroll the grounds.

Meanwhile, we are making plans to implement step revetment on the prayer path to ensure visitors can continue to safely walk this meditative route which encircles the house.

Of course, none of this can be done on my own and I am keen to build positive beneficial working relationships with community groups, local people and volunteers.

We are hugely grateful to those who have already come along to help and provide their knowledge, wisdom and practical support. If you have experience, interest and/ or enthusiasm to help with this exciting project, why not join the Garden and Grounds Volunteer Team?

We will be holding a main volunteer gardening day on the 2nd Sunday of each month from 10.30am - 3pm starting Sunday 9th June, 2024. For those who wish to stay on, there is also the opportunity to join the weekly Sunday meditation group from 4pm - 5.30pm. Click here for more details about the group.

If you’d like to join us for these gardening “Saddharma Sundays”, let me know via this email address lamrimwalesgrounds@gmail.com. I’ll be here to lead the team in tasks for the day, so all you need to do is come prepared with enthusiasm and a packed lunch! We will provide the tools and refreshments!

If you have any questions about the “Saddharma Sundays” or about volunteering in the grounds in general, please do not hesitate to contact me.

We hope to see you at Lam Rim Wales soon and welcome you to share our enjoyment of the wonderful natural environment here.

Ceris