My car was packed full of greenery and twigs for a morning of natural Christmas wreath making at Kilver Court. Upon arrival I was shown to the Director’s suite, an impressive room with wooden panneling, quirky furniture and an incredible view of the gardens complete with the majestic viaduct beyond. This was going to be…
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Living willow tunnel at nature reserve
A bitter cold morning but the sun was out and the wind eventually dropped, it was a day of laughter, good humour and hands on learning for my class at Swanick Nature Reserve www.hwt.org.uk part of Hampshire & Isle of White Trust
The Blue School – Wells
This is a raised level area bordered by two straight banks, there are several semi mature trees and a glasshouse. One bank has been scalloped to create a free flowing form, the other bank built up using gabions filled with local stone. The overall design uses very organic forms to detract from the large adjacent…
Low budget wildlife garden – Hampshire
I have just finished a project where the existing patio needed to be replaced and enlarged which required the lawn to be pushed back and retained by reusing existing railway sleepers. Borders were created around the lawn to detract from the long straight sides of the garden and to provide colour and interest throughout the…
Thelma Hulbert Gallery
I have sent work off to the Thelma Hulbery Gallery today for the Christmas exhibition.
The Blue School science resource garden – Wells
I am currently working on a garden at the Blue School in Wells, a small group of students have come up with their brief which is to be married with the requirements of a science resource garden. Features include a glass house, wildlife pond, a gabion retaining wall, herb beds, contoured land forms, seating, weather station, planting…
Willow wigwam – Eastleigh
Over half term I was commissioned to make a non living willow den at a primary school in Eastleigh, a steady day of weaving in the cool autumn sunshine. I think the wigwam looks great next to the large rocks and inside the small circle of light in the apex is reminiscent of a Chris Drury cloud…
Inspiration from French roundabouts & Chaumont chateau
Driving through France recently – on my way to visit family and give a talk on ‘coppicing’ to a gardening club – I had great fun photographing ‘les ronds points Anglais’ I think these could become a subject of another gardening club talk. On the way we took a detour through the Loire valley to the ‘Chaumont garden festival’. This was…
Children’s garden – Basingstoke
This children’s centre (for 0-5 year olds) wants to involve the parents to create an exciting outdoor area to maximize play and exploration. The brief was to maximise the potential of the outdoor area and the design incorporated: vegetable growing, an edible maze, bug discovery, a living willow adventure trail with den, with sensory planting around…
Somerset Life
I am interviewed in Somerset Life (September issue)