A day out, a world away – at Wakehurst

This is Kew. This is medicine. This is Wellbeing.

Wakehurst Summer Party was a day to connect, create and explore

Staff and clients from Waythrough headed to Wakehurst for the 2026 Community Access Scheme Summer Party on Thursday 27 August. A day filled with gardens, music, creativity, conversation and a fair bit of wandering.

There was plenty happening, but sometimes the best way to capture a day like this isn’t through the timetable. It’s through the people who were there: what caught their eye, what made them smile, what stayed with them afterwards — and, in this case, even what inspired a poem.

Roots and Rhythm Workshop

Wakehurst through the eyes of one of our clients

A wonderful day. I came with my sister-in-law, Laura, her mum, Sue, and niece, Elodie.

We went to the Millennium Seed Bank first.
A bit late, so we missed our main group. Marcus, a volunteer, set us in the right direction.

Just fascinated by this place.
My mind is full of ‘Mexico’. Sorry, that is actually the case.
Of all the countries in all the world, I could only think of Chile 🫘 beans.

But that’s not all.
I left my family to go on a perfectly wonderful walk.

I was with all the ladies from Holistic Harmonies.
We went on a guided tour, going to the left of the Mansion.

There is parched grass, unfortunately due to this summer.

The Giant Sequoias (redwood trees) are magnificent. Nature has made them robust. They have very soft bark — great for tree hugging.
However, this bark serves as protection in their native California — against wildfires 🔥. Nasty.
Settlers of this western coast ironically chopped them down to make matchsticks.
However, public outcry stopped this. The American National Park was born.

Henry Moore — sculptures very good, prairie brushed — roots so deep.

My word — the downward valley & ponds so pondy.

In seriousness, I loved the day. I get stuck in my own mind.
A good day to fight depression.

This is my 2nd visit to Wakehurst, organised by Waythrough & Angie.

Fresh air & learning.
Plus, I talked to Shirley about the Allotment Project.

Hey, hey, that’s my day.
Nick

Ponds so Pondy. Photos by Angie Muscio

Wakehurst Grass

a poem by Nick

Up North, they have some brass,
But down here we have our Wakehurst grass.

Baskets of seeds, preserved to serve
Our future needs.

Eighty countries!
From Mexico to Hong Kong, Chile & China,

Sent with love
From around the world.

Myself, botanical me —
My travels have taken me far:

Illustrious gardens,
Gibraltar, Tenerife & Mexico.

This just goes to show —
Wakehurst is important, you know.

Photos by Angie Muscio& Chon Donnelly

“It was a wonderful day. I was able to grab a moment of peace and quiet among the woods, as well as take part in an art workshop. It was love to take time ‘out’ and focus on making something.”

People could drop in for a relaxing session of creative mindfulness, shaping pre-soaked Dorset willow into beautiful leaf forms and hearts, before weaving and wrapping them with vibrant, colourful raffia. Each piece was completely unique — a lovely mix of creativity, colour and calm.

The story of ash dieback

In the Mansion, you’ll find a coffee table made from a piece of dead ash, engraved with the story of ash dieback — the timber itself telling the story of the tree it came from.

With its tall, elegant form and airy canopy, European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is a common sight throughout the British Isles.

In the UK, 12 per cent of broadleaf woodland is composed of ash and 955 different species depend on it. But our ash is under sustained attack from a disease called ash dieback. It’s estimated 90 per cent of our ash trees will be affected, impacting our ecology and economy.

Caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, the disease impacts a tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Young trees can succumb within a year, whereas mature trees die back over several years, eventually killing the tree.

A major challenge for our woodland management team

The infected tree here has been made safe and later will be fully removed. Where possible, standing and fallen deadwood is left in place for its ecological benefits. Removed wood can sometimes be put to good use – like the seating at our viewing platform.