THE BLOXIDGE TALLYGRAPH

Mr & Mrs. Quinn take the night air in their glorious garden (SW)

Dateline: 16 October 2009

There may be no Illuminations in Walsall for the next couple of years, but a Bloxwich couple have proven that this ancient Staffordshire village can still hold its own against the big boys ‘up in town’ by providing their own mini-illuminations to raise funds for charity.

The glorious Japanese-themed garden of John and Julie Quinn of 6 Fishley Close is being candlelit tonight and tomorrow to give it an intimate, romantic atmosphere, and the Quinns are throwing it open to the public between 7-10pm.

Mrs Quinn said: "I love the autumn colours at this time of the year and I thought they would look good with lighting in the evening so I plumped for a Saturday night opening."

“I have a lot of Japanese maples and they look really attractive with red lighting under them and the blue spruces look really good under blue lights. It is a bit of fun and something different to help to raise money for charity.”

This 10m x 10m garden, simply but eloquently named ‘Small but Beautiful’, uses every space and corner to its best potential. Mature Japanese maples complement a bridge and stunning water feature. All year round colour is achieved with little maintenance. The evening opening with a mass of coloured lights and candles is a must for an unforgettable visit.

The Bloxidge Tallygraph's Edditer, Stuart Williams, couldn’t resist dropping by with his camera this evening and he hopes you will agree that the deep, gem-like views and vistas created by the Quinns in such a small space will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped inside a crystal cave in a far-away land. For more pictures see the Photo Album with slide show on our Centre Spread.

All money raised from entry fees go to charity, in this case the Compton Hospice. Mr Quinn said: “I have tried to base the whole thing on the Arboretum, because I know people are really down about the illuminations being cancelled.”

Fishley Close is located in Little Bloxwich on the edge of Lower Farm Estate, between Ashbourne Road and Fishley Lane. If travelling via the A34, off at Bloxwich Golf Club and enter Lower Farm Estate via Sanstone Road.  Take the first exit left from the island, passing the shops then second left into Ashbourne Road and turn left at the end.  Fishley Close is just 50 yards or so along on the left.

Admission is £2.50 this Friday and Saturday evening, 7-10pm.  Visitors and groups are otherwise welcome by appointment. Tel: 01922 475551. No dogs (or horses!) please.

UPDATE: Second, higher quality photo album from 17 October 2009 now online in the Centre Spread.

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