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17  December 2025

Here is a link to Merryn’s year end letter for 2025.

16 December 2025

Dear Volunteers,

What a busy, exciting month it’s been, and just 9 days to go until Christmas! 🎅✨

As many of you have seen, the Christmas decs and dried garlands inside the Palace are all looking absolutely stunning thanks to the Garden team🌟The Schools Eco Arts exhibition is in full swing with a record number of schools taking part 🎨 Father Christmas has been (!) 🎅Outside, the lights are shining beautifully for our Sparkle evenings with some lovely new additions such as the Apple Store becoming a Gingerbread House with sweet treats to discover. 🍥Plus, the new ticket shop is taking shape and looking lovely 🌈🖌…A lot going on!

Quick Updates:

🎄Decorations: Planning ahead – Chris and his team are planning on taking down the decorations in the Palace on Monday 5th January. We’re offering two volunteer slots to come and help:

o   10am–12pm

o   12pm–2pm

If you’re able to help, please reply to Siobhan at [email protected] to let her know which slot suits you best.

💺3 minutes with the Chair: Merryn and Roger’s quarterly update from the recent board meeting: Watch here: https://youtu.be/XBKXsW2HQDw

☕2026 Coffee meet-up dates held in The Laundry Room for your diaries:

o   Tues 27 Jan: 2pm

o   Fri 27 Feb: 11am

o   Thurs 26 Mar: 11am

o   Tues 28 Apr: 2pm

o   Fri 29 May: 11am

o   Thurs 23 July: 11am

o   Tues 29 Sept: 2pm

o   Fri 30 Oct: 2pm

o   Thurs 26 Nov: 11am

We also hope to catch up with lots of you at the Carol Service in the Chapel this Thursday at 2pm 🎵🍷🥧

Finally, a huge THANK YOU to all of you for your energy, time, and dedication this year. Your support makes everything we do possible, and we couldn’t do it without you. A very Happy Christmas from all of us here 🎄✨We hope it’s full of joy, laughter, and maybe a mince pie or two!

Thank you all for your continued support.

Warm wishes,

Gemma

Pictures of the Month – April

Here is a heartwarming picture of one of the cygnets hitching a ride.  It’s by Trevor Lever, a Drawbridge Welcomer.