If you've visited the Lake Chapala Society grounds lately, more likely than not, you've noticed some changes in the gardens. We're betting that you have also noticed a pair of new English gardeners pruning, digging and planting.
For a number of years, Bill and Gillian Whitehead have been volunteers at the LCS. They've been involved at the membership desk, helping out at the pancake breakfast, and in the gardens. With their gardening interest and experience, they were an obvious choice for LCS President Nancy Creevan when she needed to fill the vacant Grounds Directorship slot. After a bit of arm twisting, the Whiteheads agreed take over the responsibility for the LCS grounds.
Bill and Gillian are originally from England, and then they lived in Canada, and now are now permanent residents of Lakeside. This September the Whiteheads will have been married 53 years and have always been a team with many common interests.
Bill's love of gardening started when he was a youngster. During the Second World War, England asked families to grow their own vegetables, a war effort called "Digging for Victory". Bill helped his family grow their vegetables and over the years has always been involved with gardens, creating many of his own.
The Whitehead team has a vision for LCS that includes creating gardens with more color. "We have a Mexican/English garden at our home and would like to add a little of that English flair to the LCS gardens. I love lavender, but it's very hard to get started. Once it's established and growing it has a wonderful perfume plus as an herb it has many uses. Lavender cookies are a treat." says Gillian.
"We intend to keep the gardening costs down in the LCS gardens. We can do a great deal of transplanting, starting plants from seeds, and re-seeding area using plants from our home garden.
"There are neglected areas we want to promote. The fish ponds are now overcrowded and the orchid house needs more orchids. We're planning a fish sale this month and all funds from the sale will go to help with the maintenance of the gardens," says Bill.
"Eventually, we hope to get the gardens to a point where all we have to do is trim. But right now it's going to be a lot of work."
As Gillian says, "We are pretty laid back and it's easy to talk to us. If someone sees something that needs some tender loving care, just go ahead and do it. A few of our old volunteers have returned to work with us. We would like to see a few more green thumbs."
The LCS gardens are a delight to both visitors and permanent residents of Lakeside. So the next time you're at LCS, take time to experience those gardens and smell the flowers. Maybe, in a few years, the scent of lavender will also be in the air. And, please take some time while enjoying the gardens to welcome Bill and Gillian Whitehead as LCS's new Grounds Directors team.
