OUT & ABOUT
OUT & ABOUT
David Roberts of Les Chasses, St John, has supported this charity day before, and is delighted to be opening again to the public on 7 July this year. Les Chasses is a traditional granite home, built in the 18th Century, with some parts potentially dating even earlier. It has a grand drive lined with trees, and arrives at a large entrance in front of the house, complete with cider press and pump. It was exactly 30 years ago this year, during a lunch with the previous owners who happened to be good friends, when they mentioned that they were going to return to South Africa. Not one to miss a chance, David did a deal there and then to purchase the property and has lived there happily ever since. It is easy to see that he is in love with the property. The house itself is one of huge historical importance in Jersey, being mentioned in the book Old Jersey Houses Vol. 1. It has Listed parts, original stone carved fireplaces, and even an outdoor, stone staircase. The whole house is surrounded by its garden, which has been a labour of love for David from the moment he moved in.
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It [the house] has Listed parts, original stone carved fireplaces, and even an outdoor, stone staircase.
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David enlisted the help of Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medallists Hillier’s in Southampton to come over and advise on the garden plan, which amongst other projects, resulted in growing an orchard. David is keen to stress the importance of his team who have helped and continue to help him over the years, including Keith who lives at the property and who has been employed by David for about forty years, Paulo who looks after the day to day maintenance, and whom the ducks and chickens follow around like the Pied Piper, and Tom the botanist who also lives on site and is a constant source of knowledge on plants and trees. The garden is run organically, producing its own fertiliser, as well as housing an impressive vegetable garden. As soon as you enter the garden you can feel the history of the place. Some of the plants and trees date back years, such as the magnificent tulip tree, which is probably one of the largest in the
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There are many parts to the gardens at Les Chasses, including a beautiful pond filled with wildlife, hidden pathways lined with bluebells, and red squirrels...
island. It stands in great beauty behind the house, surrounded by camellias and magnolia trees. There are many parts to the gardens at Les Chasses, including a beautiful pond filled with wildlife, hidden pathways lined with bluebells, and red squirrels chasing through the woods. David is delighted to be opening the garden again this year. As he says, he really believes in the work that JAYF does for people of a vulnerable age. It is over four years since Les Chasses first became part of the JAYF Open Gardens, and in 2018 it was held at a different time of year, so he is delighted that visitors will be able to see it in full bloom this summer. Les Chasses JAYF Open Garden Day is on 7 July from 2pm to 5pm. For more information visit jersey.com
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