BALI is no stranger to Lord and Lady Heseltine’s home, Thenford House near Banbury, and this summer’s visit with MPs and peers from the APPGHG was a further opportunity to spend time exploring the beautiful grounds of this private arboretum. The Group, which included Sandra Loton-Jones, was welcomed by Lord and Lady Heseltine who accompanied them on the visit and provided a very personal guided tour.

 

On a very wet and miserable evening in July, Paul Cowell represented BALI on the Group’s visit to Number 10 Downing Street, organised by Mark Wasilewski of the Royal Parks and hosted jointly by him and the Prime Minister’s wife, Mrs Sarah Brown. The Prime Minister is said to be a big fan of the ‘grow you own’ movement and Mrs Brown was delighted to show what they had achieved in their vegetable garden – the produce, including strawberries, tomatoes, courgettes and peppers, is now appearing on the menu of the No 10 staff canteen.

 

It was apparently First Lady Michelle Obama who suggested the Browns start a vegetable garden – she has a successful organic vegetable garden at the White House. Now the Brown’s sons help with the planting and the harvesting, although the bulk of the work is actually undertaken by Mark Wasilewski’s Royal Parks team who tend Number 10’s gardens. Future plans include developing more wildlife friendly areas to attract insects like bees and ladybirds. Lavender, catmint and sedum will be planted in the borders and wooden bee and ladybird boxes erected.

 

Despite the weather, the MPs and peers, including Lord Clark of Windermere, the Earl of Courtown, Brian Jenkins MP and Brian Donohoe MP, and industry representatives had a fascinating visit with the customary opportunity to network and lobby.