The Chantry's Fireworks Display

It is with regret that we announce that the annual Fireworks event will not be taking place at the Chantry this year.

Unfortunately, after consulting with both firework and health & safety experts, we have come to the conclusion that the size of fireworks needed to continue providing a quality high-level display visible from the Walled Garden is no longer viable.

We have truly loved greeting you all for the last 60 years and thank you for coming out to support the charity.

We’re currently looking at new ways that we can welcome you on-site, outside of the weekly classes, groups and bookings that form our day-to-day calendar, so watch this space…

Garden Changes - Farewell to an old friend

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A firm favourite in the garden, a Silver Birch tree that has presided over the Chantry garden for the last 100 years or so was felled this autumn.

We have been monitoring the tree for a few years now and, after doing some work on it over the past 12 months and consulting with the experts, the decision was made to remove the tree for safety reasons.

Over the years it has been a prime firework viewing point for local children, as well as providing a swing to the old playgroup; home to woodpeckers, squirrels and other creatures; and shade for countless parties and its unique shape will be missed.

We have kept the main trunk intact to provide a home, both for the birch polypore fungus that has appeared over the last couple of months, as well as for the various birds and beasts that have been attracted by the wood as it decomposes.

We've also retained some of the branches as minibeast habitat in one of the shaded areas of the garden, as well as keeping the chippings from the smaller branches to pave the paths that run around the wild area at the back.

Our thanks go out to Mike and the team at ARB Treeworks for all their help and advice, as well as for being on board with our plans for keeping as much of the tree on-site as possible!

The Derham Room

You may notice that one of our rooms has recently undergone a name change.

After many years of dedicated service, our brilliant chair Dave Derham resigned his post earlier this year and the Trustees decided to recognise the huge impact made during his tenure by naming a room in his honour.

Dave had a dramatic impact on many of the spaces here at The Chantry, spearheading many of the recent renovations and improvements that have made The Chantry the success it is today, including the most recent changes to the former Lancaster Room, which now bears his name.

We hope you will join us in wishing Dave all the best for the future and we look forward to welcoming you all to the Derham Room.