Ytene - The New Forest

By-gone days, Ibsley 2007

Every year about this time By-gone Days is held at Gorley in the New Forest, The event is a strange mix of village fete, steam fair and air-show. Each year it's pretty much the same and I think that may be one of it's strengths - this year the turn-out seemed to be as strong as ever with a good crowd of happy folks.
For many of the exhibitors it looks like a good chance to get together, relax and reminisce.

The site of the event is part of the old Ibsley airfield complex of WW2 and that accounts for the strong display of wartime memorabilia around the site - and also explains why the relatively small show attracts a very strong selection of flying displays. I'm not great aviation afficiando but it's hard not to be impressed by the sight, sound and agility of the old prop aircraft being put through their paces.

I enjoy seeing the old farm machinery and the craft stands - best of all is Peter Brown with his stand of newspaper cuttings and images celebrating the long history of woodland crafts in the New Forest. He has a three part wood splitting brake on his stand that is a simple yet beautifully designed piece of woodlanders equipment. The Froe he uses was made for him by a blacksmith from a worn out farriers rasp.

Jim King was there making willow baskets - in these days of stupidly cheap imports from the other side of the earth it's good to see reaonably priced baskets made locally. Jim uses a mixture of willow he grows himself and some from the home of willows - The Somerset levels.

Every year about this time By-gone Days is held at Gorley in the New Forest, The event is a strange mix of village fete, steam fair and air-show. Each year it's pretty much the same and I think that may be one of it's strengths - this year the turn-out seemed to be as strong as ever with a good crowd of happy folks.
For many of the exhibitors it looks like a good chance to get together, relax and reminisce.

The site of the event is part of the old Ibsley airfield complex of WW2 and that accounts for the strong display of wartime memorabilia around the site - and also explains why the relatively small show attracts a very strong selection of flying displays. I'm not great aviation afficiando but it's hard not to be impressed by the sight, sound and agility of the old prop aircraft being put through their paces.

I enjoy seeing the old farm machinery and the craft stands - best of all is Peter Brown with his stand of newspaper cuttings and images celebrating the long history of woodland crafts in the New Forest. He has a three part wood splitting brake on his stand that is a simple yet beautifully designed piece of woodlanders equipment. The Froe he uses was made for him by a blacksmith from a worn out farriers rasp.

Jim King was there making willow baskets - in these days of stupidly cheap imports from the other side of the earth it's good to see reaonably priced baskets made locally. Jim uses a mixture of willow he grows himself and some from the home of willows - The Somerset levels.

Mac PennyS of Bransgore

Mac PennyS web site states 'A nursery not a Garden Centre' and that's refeshingly true. I've known Mac Pennys for about 30 years and very little has changed in that time. The Lowndes family still own and run the place and it retains its retail nursery feel with a distinct sense that you are entering a working environment.
Trees, Shrubs, Hedging, Perennials are the specialities although Alpines, Heathers and a little bedding can be found should you need it. First impressions are that the plants don't look quite as polished as those in Garden Centres, however the stock is healthy are ready to grow away once planted.
The Mac Penny woodland garden is alongside the nursery. It is open for NGS on certain days and can be accessed when the nursery is open. Ericaceous plants and trees are the forte of the garden, it is shady and restful. Tim Lowndes has added an herbaceous border to a sunny corner and here can be found many of the recent introductions.

MacPennys is also the home of the original MacPenny Long Life Label, which is still made on the premises and sold around the world. Naturally,it is also available from MacPennys.

Composted Bracken is a locally produced mulch that as far as I know is available only from Mac Pennys.

The name, Mac Pennys - is it Scottish?........no, heres the explanation:
The nursery itself was bought around 1934 from a lady who grew drought resistant plants and sold them in small pots for one penny each. Her name was Marcia Ashley-Corbett, hence the name MacPennys.

The aim of Ytene - The New Forest

Firstly, the name. Ytene is an ancient name for the area that roughly approximates to what we know as the New Forest today. It covers a slightly larger area in fact. This Blog aims to carry, news, information, photos, stories and blatant promotion of the place and the people.