Ham Fair posters

The noticeboard in Gate House Garden (opposite Hand and Flower) has two posters for Ham Fair, one of the main event and one for the dog show, and I am interested in the differences between them.

I mentioned previously when discussing the banners that I thought the text for "Ham Fair" was too small and it looks as though the producer of the Dog Show poster agrees with me and while they have copied the format of the main poster they have enlarged the text and image. It is an improvement but the text is still too small for the image.

Having already dissected the banner I do not want to dwell on the posters, other than to say that I think that the main one is too busy (no one is going to go to the Fait just because it has vintage vehicle) and the Dog Show one does not shout :Dog Show" loudly enough.

All criticisms aside, it is good to see posters for the Fair in such a prominent position and they are good enough for what they are there to do.

Gate House Garden plaque

When I first posted a photo of the Gate House Garden plaque in 2007 it was difficult to read and I a pleased that it has been cleaned up.

Coronation flags

With only a few days to ago the approach to the coronation of King Charles III has been very muted and these flags in Gate House Garden are the most visible sign of the coming event.

Gate House Garden in October

I have almost been taking Gate House Garden (on the corner of Ham Common, opposite The Hand and Flower) for granted despite the pleasure it gives me whenever I walk past, which is many times a week. I am rectifying that by posting some seasonal photographs to show that it is still delightful in late autumn.

These are the two main views of the Garden and I plan to take similar pictures through the seasons to show both the changes and the enduring charm.

New seats in Gate House Garden

The benches in Gate House Garden have got neat new seats sitting prettily on the old legs. 

Ham sign in Gate House Garden

The welcome refuge of Gate House Garden has gained a sign proclaiming that this is Ham. It was put there by Ham Amenities Group (HAG) and was a couple of years in the planning.

 

The signs does a pretty good job of encapsulating some of the key elements that define Ham without being overly fussy.

Watch this space

Something is coming to the Gate House Garden on the corner of Ham Common and Upper Ham Road and a hole has been dug ready to receive it. The big clue is on the stick which has written on it "Village sign here".

Gate House Garden off Ham Common

Gate House Garden sits on the south-east corner of Ham Common formed by Upper Ham Road and Ham Common (the confusingly named road). It is maintained by Ham Amenities Group who purchased this little plot of land for that purpose.

Behind it sits Morgans House and the Cassel Hospital. Morgans House is the block with the white rendering and the brick section next to it. To the right of that is Cassel Hospital with the railings over the windows.

The point of Gate House Garden is to provide a spot of tranquillity and beauty and there is seating to encourage people to pause for a while and to take it all in.

The garden is long and thin, stretching along Ham Common (the road). From one of the seats you can look over the garden and the road toward Ham Common (the common).

The planting is thick and varied, which compensates for its small size.There is a surprising amount to see and enjoy there and like to walk slowly through it at different times of the year to see what changes the new season has brought.

Gate House Garden is only small but its prominent position, precise design and careful maintenance make it a real asset to the area.

Gate House Garden on Ham Common

Strictly speaking the garden maintained by the Ham Amenities Group on the corner of Ham Common and Upper Ham Road is always open and Ham Open Gardens 2013 was just another opportunity to draw attention to it. It was looking very good that day and easily outshone some of the gardens much larger than it.

Gate House Garden

The Gate House Garden is on the prominent corner formed by Ham Common and Upper Ham Road which makes it one of the focal points of Ham. And thanks to the hard work of the Ham Amenities Group it is an attractive corner all the year round.

Gate House Garden

I've previously posted some pictures of the Gate House Garden in the south-east corner of Ham Common and this sign on the garden wall explains the history.