Little did Mary and John Ritchie know what they had let themselves in for when they agreed
In 2008 to allow the use of their splendid Grounds and Garden at Drumside for a fundraising event in 2009.

John and his assistant Dave Gourlay put in many hours of hard work to make the gardens look quite spectacular. Bushes trimmed, weeds lifted, paths raked and the pond preened. Coordinator, of the now agreed Garden Party, Wilma Marshall, appeared with a large clip board and sharp pencil dividing up the tasks between the Directors and willing helpers. Many items and events to be considered……...afternoon teas, various stalls, garden games, entertainment, car parking, marquee erection, rubbish bins, treasure hunt, wellie throwing, police signs and sponsored canvas bags. “To Do” lists were made and everything set in motion. The date 21st June was selected for the event and because of this; it was decided to call it Midsummer Madness.

One of the team, Susan Cook suggested a woodland theme throughout. Drawings were quickly produce by Susan for the team, Carol Dorsett, Jane Graham, Mary Ritchie, Elspeth Pentland and coordinator Wilma who all thought these were wonderful and went with this idea.

More meetings ensued with many cups of tea and coffee, went ahead everywhere, Publicity was organised with help from Kath McColl, Caroline Cameron and Kate Leer. Carol Dorsett organised a village “leaflet drop”. Posters were put up over a wide area. The start of the week of the event resulted in much activity as out came the grass cutters and lawnmowers, car park signs were put in place. The ‘boys’ made sure that the marquees and gazebos were erected on their planned positions. Tables, chairs, benches, and loungers were to be placed at the last minute.

The weather was a major concern as it did not look too promising! We need not have worried however, as shortly after the 2 p.m. on a beautiful summer afternoon, the event got under way. Very soon the car park was full, and despite traffic jam on the road everyone was very patient until we had to hastily arrange another much larger car park.

An entry fee of £4 included a glass of Pimms, which was the first port of call for everyone on entry to the garden grounds where you could purchase our own canvas bags, locally produced in Dundee and sponsored by Marshall’s Garden Machinery.

The bag, designed by Susan Cook, was decorated with the Dunning Community Trust logo and sported a tree with agile squirrels leaping over the top very much the ‘woodland’ feature of the day. Music all afternoon was played through loudspeakers by George King, renowned pianist from Methil in Fife. He kept us going with all sorts of tunes from the shows and also jazz pieces. This being highly appreciated by everyone - much foot tapping and singing along too.

Outside the craft stalls were money trees ’buy a leaf for the wood’, which kept the woodland theme in evidence. This was the inspiration of Elspeth and Susan and the money trees looked quite a feature of the day. Under canvas was craft worker Lorna Radbourne with her stain glass creations; including the launch of the Kincladie Wood Brooch, created for the wood. Artist, Gail Robertson had a super stall with watercolour paintings and vibrant hand dyed scarves. The Body Shop with Clair Ellis was present with loads of their tried and trusted beauty items and they donated of a gent’s facial massage. Other stalls included a local soap maker, Claire Robertson from Barony Soaps, Madderty, Gio Martin Bead Shop maker, Karen Ironside from Millhaugh with her wooden garden/kitchen goods and Pauline Cookson with her team of talented face painters.

Moira Lumby, the Barefoot Books storyteller was on hand and kept the children quiet and interested. The overflowing Bottle Stall was very well run by Carol and Ted Dorsett where everyone seemed to win a prize. People were very ably looked after by Carol Kinross and Pat Wright who ladled out the strawberries and cream which tempted the taste buds…ice-cream could be added for the really daring, very popular.

A large amount of plants were available on the Plant Stall. These were very decoratively displayed on a Pony Gig ably managed by what appeared to be Zenka and Bill Howie’s whole family, including Rosemary Cameron.

In the field at the back of these stands the Wellie Throwing was in full ’throw’ which got off to a slow start but as the ‘boys’ arms got into the swing of things wellies were being thrown further and further and the competition got keener and keener. A great deal of noise emanated from that corner.

 

The “tented” field with colourful bunting everywhere, was very much enhanced by straw bales provided by David Myles. These were so useful and provided welcome seating for everyone to sit in the sunshine and enjoy being in the midst of everything. The bales created a lovely rustic scene.

In the middle of the afternoon comedian Dennis Alexander, from Kirkcaldy, complete with kilt, sporran and guitar kept the children entertained with his jokes and songs..…people sat down on the bales of straw and enjoyed the chance of some good Scottish fun. Dennis was amazed when he came to sing ‘Caledonia’ by Dougie MacLean that all the children knew all the words but they hadn’t told him that they had practiced it for the recent opening ceremony at their new extended Primary School in Dunning.

 

A very popular Treasure Hunt with clues around the garden grounds had been set up by Trevor Williams and was going on all afternoon. Mostly the young entered but soon had parents and grandparents commandeered to help.

Loungers, chairs and tables placed around the garden allowed people to enjoy the immediate view down to the pond and the hills in the distance.

 

The crème de la crème of the event was the afternoon teas in the marquee beside the house with home-made delights of sandwiches, cakes of every description and shortbread biscuits cut out as nutty squirrels, bunnies and birds.

A treat for everyone served by ladies in summer dresses and summery hats and a gentleman in stripey outfit and with “a way with him”.

The woodland scene was continued in the tea tent with squirrels, twigs and branches festooned around creating such a lovely atmosphere. Behind the scenes two other men washed the dishes in the kitchen and delivered clean dishes all afternoon -a very commendable effort. They say they can now be hired out but after the Midsummer Madness day their fees have gone up considerably! This whole tea team who pulled together so efficiently should be commended for their unstinting effort of serving teas for the duration of the Event.

Those present just seemed to wander about, chatting, relaxing having fun and enjoying the sunshine not to mention the wonderful garden.

As the afternoon came to an end an army of workers pulled out all the stops and very quickly returned the garden back to its natural splendour.

An absolutely super effort was rewarded by the figure ‘of £3,250 raised.’ Thanks to all who came to enjoy and contribute to the day and also to all the willing hard graft by helpers and supporters.

All photographs © Trevor Williams 2009