It was one of those days that reminds you why community matters.
Following on from last year’s much-enjoyed garden party, Grimston Gardens came alive again with families, local residents and Earlscliffe students gathering on a beautiful sunny afternoon to enjoy good company, good food, and everything that makes a classic English garden event so special.
Once again, Earlscliffe was right at the heart of it with staff and students on hand to help set up the gazebo, lay out chairs and tables, and get the space ready for guests. Meanwhile, our own Jerry from the kitchen team had been busy baking, two generous trays of cakes and a wonderful spread of cookies that were, by all accounts, very much enjoyed.
A fun cookie competition added to the spirit of the day, with students throwing themselves into the occasion with real enthusiasm!
Event organiser Sarah Thurston summed it up perfectly when she wrote afterwards: “These events are important to the community — but I can also see it’s a way for the students to understand English life and culture.”
And that really is what makes these events so worthwhile for Earlscliffe. Our students come from all over the world, and afternoons like this one, chatting with neighbours, joining in with games, sharing food, offer something that no classroom can fully replicate. It’s a genuine, warm slice of English community life.
The day also celebrated some lovely new additions to Grimston Gardens itself. Thanks to funds raised at last year’s event, the gardens now feature beautifully labelled trees, each displaying both the English and Latin name, along with a note about the species and when it was planted.
Five new benches are also on the way, with a map already showing where they’ll be placed, a lovely touch for a space that clearly means a great deal to local residents.
A brand new noticeboard has also been funded. Managed entirely by the Grimston Gardens Community, it will feature a different poem each month, usually chosen to reflect the season and the natural surroundings. The current poem is by Walter de la Mare, a particularly fitting choice, as his uncle once lived in Grimston Gardens. Future months may bring a Shakespeare sonnet or other seasonal verse to the board. The noticeboard is purely for the community’s enjoyment, with no commercial or advertising use permitted.
The event raised further funds to keep these gatherings going, and a follow-up is already planned for July!