News

Parham will feature this week on BBC South Today, Wednesday 28th July - Finn's Country at 6.30pm and on Gardeners World, BBC 2 Friday 30th July at 9.00pm

Sunday 8th August is Ice Cream Sunday at Parham House and Gardens. There will be performances by the Hampshire Regency Dancers who will also be giving a portrayal of an 18th century picnic in the Pleasure Grounds.
Guided walks to Parham's 18th century ice-house will be available. There will also be the chance to see and take part in ice cream making using traditional methods with Historic Interpretation Group 'Histrionics' and also to sample some wonderful ice cream flavours produced by Caroline's Dairy of Chalder Farm in West Sussex.

Stunning Flower arrangements throughout the House with a programme of demonstrations.
Each week throughout the season Parham is filled with large arrangements of flowers and foliage that are all grown in the garden. They are still arranged in the same way that Alicia Pearson used when the House was first opened to the public in 1948. Up to thirty buckets of flowers a week are sent up from the Walled Garden to be arranged by the team of flower ladies and the Head Gardener. The flowers used will depend on the furnishings and pictures. They are 'done' in water with wire and pinholders in containers that Mrs Pearson bought for the rooms. Mrs Pearson's eldest daughter, Veronica, to complement the flowers, has worked the hand-stitched needlework mats under the containers.

Autumn Foraging and Countryside Day this year will have something for everyone and is currently in the planning stages. If you are interested in having a stand at the show or taking part to demonstrate your country skills please do get in touch on enquiries@parhaminsussex.co.uk

Visit us for Autumn Foraging on the 17th October and see the progress at the archaeological dig on the Old Parsonage site.
Worthing Archaeological Society will be digging to reveal more of the site of the original parsonage building and a possible earlier structure discovered in May this year.

During the weekend, of the 12th and 13th of June (Saturday and Sunday) in the Pleasure Grounds at Parham House visitors were treated to more than forty of the best designer makers in Sussex, all members of the Sussex Guild.

The 14th and 15th June saw the return of this fabulous workshop for 2010 with Nicola Jarvis and Owen Davies. Nicola and Owen were both tutoring for the two day workshop. This year the work was entitled "The Acanthus Leaf" with inspiration for the design coming from some of Parham's own crewel work wall hangings and raised work pictures. A workshop is planned for 2011 so if you would like to provisionally put your name on the waiting list for this course for next year please telephone 01903 742021 or email: enquiries@parhaminsussex.co.uk leaving your telephone number, name and address or e-mail address.

The Annual Garden Weekend was a great success. There were nearly 70 stands and demonstrations. The best stands judged by Jean Griffin of Radio Sussex and RHS Britain in Bloom's Jim Buttress were City and Country Landscapes from Ashington in West Sussex and P & K Davis from Wierton Hall Nursery, Maidstone, Kent. Head Gardener, Tom Brown, and gardening journalist, Helen Yemm spoke to many visitors about their gardening problems. Next year's event will take place on 9th and 10th July 2011.

A new Superbly illustrated guidebook to the House and Gardens is now available. Designed and illustrated by Nick McCann of Heritage House Group who was assisted by Lady Emma Barnard and Richard Pailthorpe, the book is very reasonably priced at a special introductory price of £5. Apart from a wealth of new photographs, it gives a comprehensive guide and history to the house, gardens and parkland.
A new publicity leaflet, based on material produced for the guide book has been produced for 2010.

The 2010 season tickets for Parham are still available. They are a great way to visit Parham over the summer period and bring families during school holidays etc. For an application form click here or for more information please go to the Visitor Information Section and look for Season Tickets.

Vacancies - Garden Volunteers are required to help in the Walled Garden. (Contact the Head Gardener, Mr Tom Brown, on 01903 742021 for further details)

During 2010 a major restoration of the dovecote will be taking place, with funding from the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Guided Parkland Walks are available during 2010 on some Sundays, Bank Holidays and Event Days.