Autumn 2018 Newsletter

Registered Charity No. 298861

GARD The Kent Gardens Trust T E N N E

T Newsletter R UST Working for Kent’s Garden Heritage

Issue 45 www.kentgardenstrust.org.uk Autumn 2018

Rosemay Dymond describes... From the Editor Repton’s Peep Show Hugh Vaux

2018 has been the year of Repton, yet it is surprising how many people have never heard of him. The bicentenary of the death of the self-proclaimed successor to Capability Brown has been commemorated all over the country by individual county garden trusts and our parent body, The Gardens Trust. Kent has played its part with lectures and a study day at Cobham as well as joining Sussex Gardens Trust for their very interesting and enjoyable day at Brightling. In addition, KGT have published another book, ‘Humphry Repton in Kent’, a companion volume to ‘Capability Brown Cobham Hall from the south. in Kent’ which appeared two years Continued on page 2 Today Cobham Hall performed its artistic magic. Silhouetted against the brilliant blue sky of a perfect autumn day and basking in the warmth of the glorious In this edition Page sunshine it is no wonder that Humphry Repton returned here time and again. Repton’s Peep Show 1 Repeated visits were made to readjust and extend his vision for the landscape Humphrey Repton and the Art of within which sits this statuesque building. Landscape 2 Guests sat in comfort amidst the bookshelves of the C17th library, the very room The Restoration of Cobham 3 where Repton had his meetings with the 4th Earl of Darnley. There was the Earl’s The Spirit of Repton at Cobham 3 & 5 portrait over the fireplace; it only needed Repton himself to appear to complete Spring lecture by John Phibbs 4 the picture. Hever Castle and Stone Wall Park Gardens 4 The morning of talks on Repton, the past and present development of his C19th vision was a fascinating and absorbing time, interspersed with an opportunity Edwardian Elegance on the North Downs 5 to view copies of the Red Book and the interesting history of the development Brightling Study Day 6 of his plans. A delicious and robust lunch fuelled everyone for the afternoon series of walks around the Repton grounds and the challenge of a one mile trek Walmer Castle and Grounds 6 to the Mausoleum. Here was a building few had experienced before, but thanks Repton at Brightling Park 7 to the expert knowledge of the National Trust volunteer guides no stone was More on Repton 7 & 8 left unturned. All marvelled at its massive size which prints and plans had not Stone Pitts Manor, Seal and St Clere 8 revealed. The empty catacombs below were eerie and the altar of black marble Ruins, reclaimation and reformation 9 (from southwestern Belgium) glistened in the alcove. Standing on the centre The Garden Party 9 stone of the floor, voices echoed in each direction providing a most Colour in the Marshes 10 unnerving experience. Hidden Gardens 10 We returned to the grounds of Cobham Hall and to the garden tours led by the Book review 11 equally expert garden guides. Guests walked excitedly between Repton designs. Dover Project 12 From the western bastion to the restored pump house, from Reptons ponds to Humphry Repton in Kent 12 the ancient lime trees. Views of elderly oaks led to Repton’s Seat from where Continued on page 2

A summary of Professor Stephen Daniels’ keynote talk on… renewed with shrubs of colour and perfume which Repton ‘From the Editors’ continued from page 1 would have recognized, at the same time leaving space to The Spirit of attend to the historic wall against which the border lies. To ago. In exploring Repton’s work, the reduce labour, the modern technique of planting through research group members have unearthed Humphrey Repton and Landscape fabric and mulching with gravel was adopted. new facts about the sites as well as the Humphry Repton whereabouts of the Red Books. As most The western bastion leads to Repton’s ‘North Pleasure of the landscapes no longer exist in their the Art of Landscape. Ground’ on which so much effort has been expended with earlier form, this research is important to architectural features to be maintained and the ancient preserve the paper trail which still exists at Cobham. trees requiring extensive winter care. Repton deer fencing before that too is lost. From the start of his talk, Prof. Daniel’s has been restored only in places, leaving a burgeoning The researchers have also been immense enthusiasm for all things A summary of Sarah Morgan’s talk. population of deer in the grounds and a problem to any investigating parks and gardens in and Repton was immediately apparent. He new planting. Sarah described the problems of trying to manage a around Dover. Cilla Freud gives us an has found that this year of celebration To the south of the house, yew hedges planted after Repton’s significant Repton landscape which, like all landscapes, account of their hard work and the has continually provoked fresh time obscured the long view to the south borders. The changes over time. How much should you try to reflect reports which are being added to the thoughts and finding new Red Books decision to remove them has opened up the view of the Humphry Repton in the gardens when successive members KGT website. Don’t forget that they are has led to new interpretations. Hall from the south. It has also opened up the view from of the Darnley family have drawn upon other styles and there, easily accessible and a mine of the house to the south lawn bordered by large clipped Repton lived through his art rather influences since Repton’s time? This is only one aspect of information. mounds of shrubs that meander to Wyatts dairy, currently than on the ground and in contrast to managing the gardens and grounds today with only three The trustees are very grateful to all those undergoing restoration into a holiday let. The reduced Capability Brown, his legacy is on the gardeners and ever-increasing costs, quite apart from the who have taken part in these activities annual maintenance costs from removing the yew hedges is pages of his writings. These contain a fact that Cobham Hall is a school with the grounds being and who give so much time to making Sarah Morgan with Elizabeth Cairns and a secondary bonus. The fountain to the south of the house no surprising amount of autobiographical used for facilities and events. A balance between past and them so successful. The same thanks go Stephen Daniels in the library at longer works but care has been taken to protect the masonry detail and reflect what he felt about present has to be reached. to those who organize the numerous Cobham Hall. for possible future restoration. In the meantime, the water events, many of which are described in landscape, that it should be lived in and enjoyed. Life in its widest sense, and peep shows could be used as a has been replaced with free draining soil planted with low- the newsletter. Members of KGT are able growing alpines and bulbs with blue grasses to mimic the to enjoy these events thanks both to them from the appreciation of beauty to resource; Sir Walter Scott describing effect of jets of water. and to the various owners who so kindly the domesticity of family life, was all the Red Book as miniature theatre. important. Repton had a large family The long borders running along the south wall of the house allow us to visit their parks and gardens. With the publication of ‘Observations We are especially grateful to Lady to support and it was essential to have been completely replanted after the filming of ‘Tulip on the Theory and Practice of Kingsdown, our president, for allowing succeed financially so the Red fever’ converted the length into an Amsterdam canal. This Landscape Gardening’ (1803), Repton us to hold the garden party at Torry Hill Books were not just for his patrons gave opportunity to use some of the revenue from the showed that study of science was on the most glorious summer’s day. but also an advertising technique, filming to put back soft rhythms of planting along the length essential for those of serious learning The dreaded words General Data brand Repton. incorporating such plants as scented roses, Clerodendron , in contrast to the frivolity of the Pittosporum tobira and Daphne. Protection Regulation (GDPR) appear He took time to bring his skills to picturesque. Finally, in ‘Fragments’ elsewhere in the newsletter, suffice it maturity. Some early work was carried (1816), he looked back on his career In the west court, Humphry Repton has had to compete to say here that privacy and security out in conjunction with John Nash for in elegiac mood, regretting his decline with William Goldring’s design of 1904 and Jane Ward’s concern all of us. a competition for a rebuild in Bath and, as he saw it, that of his profession; 1998 addition of box hedging. This compromise reflects the which in the end came to nothing. despite this being the time of two of ongoing problems of presenting Cobham Hall in the 21st Repton’s Peep Show continued from page 1 At Cobham, water-colours by George his greatest creations, Endsleigh and century, to look its best the whole year round while keeping a you could see the Mausoleum in the Samuels were included in the Sheringham Park. record of successive changes over the centuries. The Western Bastion from the north in 1815 Red Book and different image far distance. Lady Darnley’s garden Prof Daniels pointed out that we were formats were tried such as an oval Humphry Repton arrived at Cobham in 1790 to five long, viewed in the sunshine displayed the sitting in the library where Humphry mirror shape. avenues radiating from the entrance in the West Court. aviary and the Greek temple at Repton had discussed his developing His plans reduced these to one avenue and fragmented the their brightest. In ‘Sketches and Hints on Landscape plans for Cobham with the earl, over a plantings of the others, in keeping with the Landscape School Gardening’ (1794), Repton describes period of 20 years, and where he had As with any excellent menu this style of the time. He also set about the task of diverting the how developing taste, using exchanged poems with the Countess wonderful day was concluded with a entrance to the North, whilst creating personal spaces and imagination and improving drawing of Darnley on the subject of the old planting around the house of flower beds and shrubberies, delicious cream tea, restorative power ability are essential for those sharing sycamore tree which needed to be where the ladies could promenade and enjoy the scent and to the weary walkers. his interests and wishing to elevate felled. His collaboration with Wyatt at colour. Only a few of the original Lime Avenue trees survive, their profession. The cultivation of the Cobham was perhaps not as he would Kent Gardens Trust would like to thank the but trees have been planted over the years to plug the gaps, polite arts diminished social divides have wished, the mausoleum was too Cobham Hall Heritage Trust for making more recently by volunteers and the Friends of Cobham Hall. the day possible, David Standen for his and his musical talent as a flautist was severe and pagan for his liking and he organisation and the Friends of Cobham especially important for him. Music, was happier with their joint creation How to keep Repton’s ideas alive has always been a problem. The same view today. In the bottom right corner may be seen, Hall, the staff and the volunteers for their poetry and theatre were essential for in Stoke Poges churchyard for Thomas When the western bastion was renovated, the long weedy with difficulty, Repton’s invisible wire fencing to contain the deer. welcome. KGT would also like to thank the society to be successful. Gray’s tomb. herbaceous border along the north side of the house was National Trust for guiding visitors around the Mausoleum and Elizabeth Cairns for Prof. Daniels pointed out how often Repton was happy working at Cobham chairing the Repton Celebration Group. Repton included himself in his and all the recent hard work to restore published works reflecting his view the landscape here enables the visitor The Restoration of the Historic of himself as a performer for example to feel that the great man is still here. Following the decision by the family to in his sketches of Welbeck, the home of the Duke of Portland, the then Prof. Stephen Daniels is curating the Parkland of Cobham. leave Cobham Hall in the 1950’s, there prime minister, and that this led to his exhibition,‘Repton Revealed’, at the Garden followed over four decades during Museum, from 24th October to 3rd February recommendation to the earl of Darnley David Standen gave an all too brief but very packed 15 which land sales, financial collapse at Cobham. It was social networking 2019. This includes previously unseen works and mounting vandalism led to the especially through the ladies of by Humphry Repton as well as 30 of his Red minutes about the story of the rescue of the grounds of the families which brought more Books and considers the possibility of a new fragmentation and decline of all but site at the Speaker’s House in Westminster Cobham Hall. Visitors enjoying lunch in the Gilt Hall commissions. Humour was important Continued on page 5

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The Restoration of the Historic Parkland at Edwardian Elegance Cobham continued from page 3 The KGT Spring Lecture the main house and surrounding land and fine tuned for the which had been acquired to create a by John Phibbs Bicentenary this year. on the North Downs school in 1962. Brown worked in an era of Interpreted by Tom La Dell By Lesley Dawes Ironically, it was the decision to build large, wealthy estates often Mount Ephraim and Doddington Place with ready cash from slavery. the high-speed railway (HS1), concerns John Phibbs is our leading garden historian with his unique On our way to the tearoom we walked Hundreds of men could move over the impact on the historic park combination of practical experience of historic gardens and through the Millennium Rose Garden, hillsides and villages and dig and the eventual decision in 1996 to landscapes and the depth of his knowledge. He also is not the herbaceous border and the quirky lakes. Repton’s clients were afraid to put forward his point of view, especially if this will topiary with its mix of animals, birds, set up a management scheme endowed more often self made men and women without these huge encourage fruitful discussion. This is what happened at the biplanes and a First World War tank. The with £750,000 that would prove to be resources. His proposals were more about embellishing talk he gave at Riverhill on 20 May, which was like an open rose garden was on the point of blooming the saviour. what you have got, rather than reshaping the landscape. ended seminar about Humphry Repton. At first it seemed but, unfortunately, we were just too early. odd to claim that the man who followed Capability Brown, Much of Repton’s life and his practice is detailed in the Kent It is impossible to overstate the An excellent lunch with a good choice and was known for his elaborate reports to his clients, Gardens Trust book for the Bicentenary, Humphry Repton Exploring the rock garden at problems that the project faced. To in Kent, and John has endorsed the book with a kind review Mount Ephraim was enjoyed by all after which we made Red Books (bound in red leather), was really influential the south, land had been sold as in the change from the clear cut landforms and lakes of on the back cover. our way to Doddington Place where we The visit on 31st May began with a talk were met by Lucy Adams, the young and Leisure Plots but following planning Brown, to the ornamental gardens of the Victorian era. John John gave us a dizzying overview of the man and what he from Lesley and Sandys on the history very enthusiastic Head Gardener, who demonstrated that he did just that. intervention had largely been achieved, especially with the reinvention of the ornamental of the house and the Dawes family. The gave us a brief history before escorting us abandoned. Lack of management in He showed it from his great knowledge of Brown (and he and pleasure garden in ways to suit his new clients. Society current house dated from the 1870s and round the garden. Cobham Wood had led to increasing received an MBE for being a key figure in the 2016 Brown had changed and Repton gave shape to the new gardening was built by Sir Edwyn Sandys Dawes on We began on the main Lawn and then Tercentenary) and his huge knowledge of Repton, expanded for the emerging middle classes. the back of his very successful career as a vandalism culminating in a major fire to the many extensive borders which ship owner and business man. in the Mausoleum in 1980. Despite are boarded by yew hedges. The newly attempts to finds a resolution, Cobham Rupert and family. The structure of the garden as you see planted sunken garden was admired Wood and the Mausoleum ended up in In 1964 Elizabeth it today came later and was established and already the borders which are Hever Castle and and Val Fleming by Sir Edwyn’s son Willie and his wife undoubtedly best in high season were the hands of the receivers. Car burning, bought Stonewall Jeanie, starting about 1910. The tour of showing a lot of colour. off road vehicles, fly tipping and other the 10 acre garden started on the front from the Meade- This led on to the restored rock garden anti-social activities were rife. Stonewall Park lawn and the vistas looking down the Waldos who had which is full of interesting planting and a garden to the Lake were greatly admired. It was soon clear that to succeed the planted the deep big improvement on the previous one. valley to its north Many of the old mature trees dominate scheme needed to address three main Gardens By Andrew Wells but then the view extends to Hernhill The huge yew hedges with tall woodland with azaleas and Azaleas and rhododendrons in full issues: vandalism, confidence and a Church, orchards and the Swale Estuary trees as a backdrop looked stunning. The rhododendrons. Mrs flower at Stonewall Fourteen members spent an enjoyable sunny day on 10 in the distance. hedges are very high and almost look like lack of cash. The potential of lottery Fleming showed us this dramatic scene in full flower, the May visiting two contrasting properties, Hever Castle and a huge wave coming at you. funding provided a glimmer of hope. trees and shrubs interspersed with sheets of bluebells The extensive rock garden was next with Stonewall Park, both near Edenbridge and owned by the However, to secure funding the project beneath dramatic rocky outcrops, explaining how she and its original 100 year old dwarf conifers The group were then taken to the same family in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Hever, the her husband had restored and increased the plantings. and acers. The water for the rock garden woodland garden which would usually had to find a long term owner for celebrated childhood home of Anne Boleyn, was bought in The anticipation of tea encouraged two members with a is pumped from the lake and trickles be a highlight but this very atypical Cobham Wood and the Mausoleum, a 1745 by Sir Timothy Waldo. His eventual successor Edmund combined age of 155 to climb the most direct 1:1.5 route down through a series of pools and water season meant that the wonderful task that would require the vandalism Meade-Waldo let Hever and in 1843 bought Stonewall Park back to the house. They were well rewarded by a most falls back to the lake again. The Japanese rhododendrons and azaleas were almost nearby from the Woodgates (who also owned Riverhill, to be resolved. welcome cup of tea and delicious home-made cake in the style bridge is very striking and almost over and the colours of the flowers were Somerhill and Tonbridge Castle). In 1903 his grandson striking iron-framed camellia conservatory against the defines Mount Ephraim and was used for muted and not as vibrant as one might After two years of education, sold Hever and 630 acres to William Waldorf Astor (later front of the house. the Mount Ephraim logo for many years. have hoped. However its finery could enforcement and determined work, 1st Viscount Astor), who restored and extended the be imagined. castle. Our informative guide, Steve Hayward, gave us a The lake is fed by a small stream and was levels of vandalism had declined. As a The day ended with more tea and fascinating tour of the 30-acre garden, created 1904-07 from dug out by hand by unemployed Welsh result, Gravesham Council stepped in delicious undeveloped marshy land by Joseph Cheal & Son, Crawley miners. It has wonderful reflections all as short term owners with the National cakes nurserymen whose designs included Victoria Gardens, year round. as black Trust agreeing to take on ownership Broadstairs and Polesden Lacy, Surrey. Steve showed us From the lake a path leads through the clouds hung following restoration. With funding the different elements of the Italian Garden, with its long Little Wood to the arboretum which was over us but of just under £5 million secured from Pompeian wall. This sheltered a succession of distinctly planted in 1995 and where the wonderful fortunately planted gardens containing classical statuary collected by Cornus ‘Eddies White Wonder’ was still HLF, restoration work began. However, there was Astor as US Minister to Italy, and Steve drew our attention in bloom. it would require a further injection of no rain to to the pungent smell (scent would be a euphemism) of the funds from the Government to secure At the far end of the Arboretum there is spoil what Arthur Bell Rose. Beyond this the 38-acre lake was dug by a fine viewing point which looks down had been the final phases and conserve the 800 men over two years. to the somewhat unusual circular grass yet another legacy of Repton’s work. After a substantial lunch at Hever we were welcomed to maze which is very loosely based on the wonderful Stonewall Park by Elizabeth Fleming and her daughter-in- medieval ‘mizmaze’. visit. By David Standen The avenue of Wellingtonias law Catherine, who lives at Stonewall with her husband The Italian Gardens at Hever at Doddington

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We walked past the walled garden, a shadow of its former Repton at Brightling self once employing eight gardeners. It seems that Repton found it difficult to deal with the site, with a house patently in the wrong place, and very little of his influence can still Brightling Park Study Day By Peta Hodges be seen. Capability Brown had previously been called upon for advice 30 years earlier but it is not clear what he did Sally Ingram of Sussex Gardens Trust A shared day with Sussex Gardens Trust apart from planting an area of mixed woodland, including Scots Pines, not far from the house. The latter may have summarises John Phibbs’ talk… Nine members of KGT attended the Sussex Gardens Trust been used as protection in the early years but no trace of John began his lecture with two rather surprising Study Day on 16th June at Brightling, a tiny village south of them now remains. It has to be said that although during admissions. Firstly, he confessed that in many ways his Burwash and about 40 minutes from Tunbridge Wells. The the Victorian era the house was considerably extended, research into the life and work of Capability Brown had event had sold out and there was a good buzz as everyone these additions have in recent times been demolished seemed easier than uncovering the life of Humphry registered and took coffee and biscuits and settled into their and the house as it now stands is probably much closer Repton, in part because it was Brown who had the greater seats. The Interim Chairman, Marcus Batty introduced Jim to the building Repton visited. However, the tree belts he reputation. Evidence of his widespread recognition as John Phibbs leads one group in an exploration of Brightling Park Stockwell who had organised the day and then Alan Starr envisaged, often along traditional deep ditches forming a an important figure of the landscape tradition could be another SGT member took the floor. His short introduction long used form of stock barrier in this country (predating seen, for example, in the recent dedication of a fountain recommendations for the site, the fall of the Bastille in to Brightling Park and its history – the house was originally the C18 brick-built ha-ha of French origin), have matured and cistern at Westminster Abbey earlier in May to mark France and the subsequent Revolution was still a recent named Rose Hill until 1879 when a new owner took over - into billowing boundaries of mixed woodland. Brown’s tri-centenary. In addition, although it is the Red experience that instilled both a sense of optimism and a was informative and amusing and set the tone for the day. The home paddock is now used as a camp site for the newly Books by Repton that perhaps make his work so distinctive, fear of upheaval in Britain. John suggested that as riots He was followed by John Phibbs, garden historian, author fashionable Tepee wedding reception with traditional John explained that this lecture would not be about all the began to break out in the country a new way of landscaping and lecturer. Although he personally thought that Charles white bell tents pitched at a distance for accommodation details of the Red Book writings and sketches. He wanted to began to develop with buildings around the estate, and Bridgeman should not be omitted from the list, he started and semi-screened by a shrubbery! As we walked back past stress that we need caution when interpreting the Repton hence cottages appeared on the edges of sites. Such by placing Repton as the third and last of the great C18 the house the church bells were pealing continuously in landscape because it may not exactly mirror the designs of ornamental cottages could suggest either a benign landlord, Landscape Designers following Kent and Brown and he took preparation for an imminent wedding. the Red Book. Repton’s work constantly changed, and every or the presence of the militia. However, in Brightling there the opportunity to show us the new memorial dedicated new idea did not necessarily appear in the Red Book, or the was no risk of rioting, and so no need for the appearance to Lancelot Capability Brown following the latter’s 2016 The weather was fine enough to have lunch served al fresco improvements described might have already happened. of cottages. tercentenary celebrations. Suggested by Alan Titchmarsh, at little tables in the garden of the village hall and the buffet [designed by Ptolemy Dean and made by Brian Turner] laid out in the hall catered for every appetite, including John’s insightful lecture examined the scheme for Brightling An unusual feature of Brightling that John drew our this is a beautiful lead cistern fountain placed on a shaped some award winning local cheeses which were Park independent of the Red Book, considering the context attention to are the meuses for a hare park that can be seen paved base in the cloister garden at Westminster Abbey. much lauded. of social and economic events, and how it must have felt to in one of walls. These were holes constructed in a brick Repton following in Brown’s footsteps, whilst establishing wall, where food would be left for the hares, which when After the talk, we divided up into three groups for our After lunch it was back to the hall for our last speaker himself as a landscape artist keen to do things differently. hunted by dogs would be trapped when the holes were guided walks accompanied by one of our hosts and set Laura Mayer whose lecture is summarised by Judy Tarling Repton’s criticism of Rosehill was its exposed position, and blocked up. off into the bracing wind that sweeps across the estate. (see below). To he advised it should be built elsewhere in the park. But, as Repton shows that this is not unusual when he included complete the day, In his summing-up of the day John emphasised Repton’s John pointed out, his plans were crushed, and as we saw two tiny wind-blown ladies fighting with their parasols in we were offered importance to the creation of landscape style, standing during the later tour of the park, it is the ‘sensibility’ of one of his sketches for Rose Hill! The weather wasn’t clear a choice of alongside Kent and Brown. He was in no doubt that the landscape that epitomizes Repton’s designs. Thus the enough to see the Channel but Beachy Head was just about delicious cakes Repton’s legacy has continued to this day, and can be drive takes the visitor through darkness until the gradual visible on the far horizon. We were shown the route of the with tea or coffee seen in such designs as the garden rooms at Sissinghurst, appearance of the house and the avenue gives sudden original drive from the west (no longer in use) running to fortify us for the or Jekyll’s herbaceous border, and in features such as glimpses through lines of beech trees and then a close to the north boundary wall and screened from view journey home. the garden terrace. Through his widely inventive style sudden ‘burst’. with carefully planted trees until the temple erected on a The audience gathering at Brightling. he created the English garden, and as John ended his knoll in the middle of the western paddock burst into view. Several Kent members Events further afield must have also affected Repton. In stimulating lecture I feel sure the audience were in can be seen. 1806, when John Fuller (III) commissioned Repton to make agreement with his sentiment that ‘Repton is great!’

Judy Tarling of Sussex Gardens Trust summarises Laura Mayer’s talk on… Walmer Castle and Grounds By Alison Philip

On 5th July we were once again as the more recent establishment of The Prolific and Plausible Mr Repton blessed with lovely weather, our new gardens such as that designed Laura Mayer set off in the afternoon Repton valued the social contacts with his style needed to change yet again to group were fortunate to be guided by Penelope Hobhouse for Queen session determined to keep us all his clients as much or more than the accommodate the commissions he was around the gardens by Mark Brent, Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in awake with her lively delivery, financial rewards, and was offended receiving from the owners of homely Head Gardener for several years 1997. The kitchen garden which now positioned as it was, as she put it, in by the ‘coxcombery’ of many of his villas and industrial magnates, the war of Walmer Castle and grounds. supplies the castle with produce and the ‘graveyard’ slot after lunch. Mayer clients, including the Prince of Wales. with France and higher taxes being His knowledge of the history of flowers was a delight. opened with a consideration as to During the picturesque controversy imposed on the grand estate owners the castle, past Lord Wardens and whether Repton, having ’failed’ at leaving them without funds We had a very good lunch in the Castle Repton was initially caught in the their respective contributions to certain other professions, might have for improvements. restaurant and were then able to Brownian camp, but modified his style, the gardens in particular, made it been a little arrogant in trying to carve wander the castle and grounds at our rejecting Brown and becoming more A typical ‘homely’ touch (for example a fascinating morning. We learned out his career niche by appointing leisure during the afternoon. in favour of rugged nature as time at Holkham Hall) was the cottage, about the conservation and restoration himself to the role of successor to The double herbaceous border at went on. As the century progressed, of historical planting plans as well Walmer Castle Capability Brown. She claimed that Continued on page 8

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Prolific and plausible Mr Repton continued from page 7

Stonepitts Manor, Ruins, By Terri Zbszewska Seal and St Clere, Reclamation

Kemsing By Alison Philip and Reformation

Our two-part day on 13th June began in the glorious A visit to Rochester private garden of Stonepitts Manor near Sevenoaks and our thanks go to Hugh and Angela Ellingham who allowed Unlike Mr Pickwick and his party of friends our group us to see all that they have achieved over many years in travelled to Rochester by rail and motor car rather than this beautiful setting. We were given a short history of the stagecoach. Like Pickwick we began our visit in the house and grounds, which quaint High Street strolling past the cafés and pubs to the The new garden in making at Restoration House The Brightling Temple by Robert Smirke have their origins in the Esplanade gardens by the river Medway. These pleasant not open to the public: King’s Orchard. This is like a secret with its rising smoke signalling the comfort and exercise 16th century, and were gardens on reclaimed land have two distinct parts garden hidden from view by high stone walls, an oasis of of philanthropy for the estate workers. A few, not then guided through the separated by the Rochester Cruising Club. One part is laid calm with mature fruit trees including a medlar. Thence we entirely complimentary or sympathetic, references to series of garden rooms out as a civic garden and the other as open green space wandered through the Vines, a small shady park where the Jane Austen’s characters led us through Eliza Bennett’s which totally surround recently reprieved from becoming a tarmacked coach park. monks once had their vineyard, to Restoration House for knowledge of the picturesque, illustrated by a group the property; the recently Thence we took the steep Baker’s Walk up to the Castle lunch, provided by the Friends of Wisdom Hospice. of cows, suggesting the appropriate arrangement for a restored rose garden, the grounds overshadowed by the brooding castle ruins. The picturesque view. swimming pool terrace grounds were heavily overgrown in Victorian times but Restoration House is so-called because it is believed The start of a fascinating visit to and the very beautiful have since been cleared to provide a delightful grassed that Charles II stayed the night there on the way to his With direct reference to Brightling, Mayer described Stonepitts Manor kitchen garden, greenhouses several effects such as the ‘burst’ out of a dark wood venue for events like concerts, fairground and coronation in London the next day. The house is at least and orchard. for a surprise (which we had just experienced that very Dickensian festivals. 400 years old but it is the garden which captures the visitor’s imagination. morning on the return walk to the house, described by The garden also has wonderful topiary and a natural dew William the Conqueror had shown his power by building Johnny Phibbs), and the purposes of the folly: to create pond. We were lucky to be able to see correspondence not only the castle but also a cathedral and we next visited There is no firm evidence about the garden in Tudor times. employment and exert power thereby. The owner of from 1925 between Gertrude Jekyll and the then owners what remains of the cathedral cloister garth. The rose The current owners have been on a mission over the last Brightling and commissioner of Repton, John Fuller (III), outlining her suggested designs for terraces planting plans garden established by Dean Hole, founder of the first twenty years to create a stunning compartmentalised known as ‘Mad Jack’ also built an observatory depicted by and herbaceous borders. national Rose Show in garden. We were able to admire the major sections which William Turner in his painting of Brightling Park. Taken Following a delicious two-course lunch in the dining room 1858, no longer exists, are already complete – yew court, lily pond garden and altogether Mayer considered that the follies represented at St Clere, Kemsing, we were treated to an entertaining and but valiant efforts are the magnificent recreation of a renaissance water garden a fashion in the revival of Greek architecture ‘collected’ informative guided tour of the gardens surrounding the main being made to find an overlooked by a rather bizarre gazebo. Further work is in the garden, as at Shugborough, to show off wealth house by Martin Platt, Head Gardener. We learned about the original Dean Hole rose. in progress to create an exotic plant section as well as an and good taste. The Brightling temple by Robert Smirke many specimen plants and trees and the development of the orchard to remind of us Kent’s fruit-growing history. formed part of this fashion, although the observatory Our cathedral guides grounds over the 25 years that Martin has been at St Clere seemed to form more of a tribute to the Roman then escorted us to We spent a happy couple of hours wandering freely around and the work involved in maintaining the rare shrubs and mausoleum of Augustus. a gem within the the garden, chatting to gardeners as well as to the owners, herbaceous borders. Martin described the challenges involved King’s Orchard cathedral precincts, Robert Tucker and Richard Wilmot, and left with amazing Mayer included the Brighton Royal Pavilion as part of this in maintaining a property which is not only a venue for impressions of this ambitious project. mania for follies, describing Repton’s failed relations with special occasions but also a family home. Nash, and how Repton’s plans which were made with his Two very different gardens providing a delightful day sons, who trained with Nash, were stalled. Repton’s Red and we were most fortunate with warm and sunny Book for the Brighton Pavilion was eventually published The Garden weather throughout. in 1808 with a treatise on oriental Architecture, describing the use of new technology in the form of cast iron which suited the Indian style. Party Mayer summed up the effect of Repton’s Red Book By Richard Stileman working method, which meant his business model was Our first garden party for many weak, as he had no power over the subcontractors George Plumptre and John Brackenbury Lady Kingsdown in conversation with years was held in our President, Lady who carried out the work, sometimes decades after the Caroline and Paul Lewis Kingsdown’s marvellous garden at many others influential in gardens Red Book had been delivered. Some of his ideas she Torry Hill which she had generously in Kent. Not only did guests have guest speaker who not only described judged to be expensive and unattainable, for example allowed us to use for the afternoon the pleasure of strolling around the and praised the vital role of the KGT at Beaudesert. She thought he was more of a hanger-on of Saturday July 21st. Another garden and grounds of Torry Hill, but in garden conservation in Kent, but than Brown, disliked by many for his ingratiating and glorious summer day greeted over they also enjoyed an amazing array also made a presentation to John obsequious manner, and that the lack of monuments 100 members and other guests, of cakes and other delights prepared Brackenbury, head gardener of Torry for Repton spoke volumes. However, he triumphed as including The High Sheriff of Kent, by the Trustees and their partners. Hill, who has just retired after 40 a writer and his influence was felt world-wide after his the previous Chairman of KGT, the George Plumptre, Chief Executive of years’ service there. death, before his own invented profession of ‘landscape County Organiser of the NGS, and the National Garden Scheme was our gardener’ became extinct. The afternoon was spent at St Clere

8 Kent Gardens Trust - Working for Kent’s Garden Heritage Kent Gardens Trust - Working for Kent’s Garden Heritage 9 © Kent Gardens Trust The Kent Gardens Trust Newsletter

We were lucky with our lunch stop, the Six Bells pub Colour in the at Woodchurch. They offer an excellent value ‘small portion’ lunch on Book Review Thursdays, but By Richard Stileman Marshes the portions were actually immense! Head Gardeners The chapters on the individual head gardeners are A visit to Church Farm, Warehorne and Appreciated by all. preceded by an extended Introduction looking at the role of Ambra Edwards with photographs head gardeners in the history of garden making, about their Boldshaves, Woodchurch Peregrine Massey by Charlie Hopkinson relationships with owners and garden designers, about started our tour at whether they are appropriately recognised… and even Although this was yet another hot day with parched lawns Published by Pimpernel Press, 2017. Boldshaves with a Boldshaves - South front with whether they and their teams are paid enough! All good, all round, the colour evident in both gardens was quite double borders. ISBN 978-1-910258-74-3 pertinent, stuff. lucid explanation of outstanding, helped just a little by some judicious watering. List Price £35 (Amazon and other the history of the house and its land, including its name. The cover of this book - happily showing Troy Scott Smith The Doyle’s garden is picture perfect, both the ‘soft’ larger online outlets, just over £20) at Sissinghurst- gives equal typographic weight for author Apparently a ‘shave’ is an ancient term for a shelter belt, border with its blues, pinks, purples and whites, and the This is a marvellous book. Ambra Edwards has succeeded in Ambra Edwards and photographer Charlie Hopkinson. and Mr Bold hailed from Yorkshire! The current house was west ‘hot coloured’ border was at its peak; an object lesson showing how the work of 14 head gardeners maintains and Hopkinson’s work for this book is exceptional, capturing designed by Robert Marchant, the first pupil of Lutyens, but from Elizabeth Doyle for anyone wanting to use yellows, enhances the varied places for which they have become the the feel of the places, and hinting at the characters of the little is known of the original garden layout and the only players, in a subtle and slightly off-beam way, the back view oranges and reds in abundance. On the south side of key guardians. The book is based on extended interviews clues to its likely SE facing and symmetrical character come during which the author has delved into the motives, of Fergus weaving through a damp and overgrown High Johnny’s studio – which was open for us to enjoy his current from two surviving Magnolia soulangiana which are placed passions, preferences and prejudices of this dedicated Garden, the pensive Lucille at Merton College, the rubbish work – is a formal truck at West Dean, and then the best photograph I have in exactly the positions one might have expected. Peregrine group, exploring along the way how they work with their pond area with employer, sometimes jostling for the freedoms to express a yet to see of the Snail Mount at the Garden of Cosmic who has created the garden almost entirely himself over a plantings amongst themselves as well as to honour the history and spirit of Speculation. The photos and the text together make for a 20 year period, took us on an anticlockwise circuit around old fruit trees. A the gardens. very successful piece of publishing. the garden which allowed him to show many of the discrete small meadow, Kent readers will be delighted – but not surprised – that By Richard Stileman areas, as well as a cleverly planted area where each section then leads down to Troy Scott Smith of Sissinghurst is one the chosen few; and is devoted to just one colour – Johnny’s secluded just over our county border, Fergus Garrett’s genius at being including green. able to follow - though not at all slavishly - Christopher The west border at Church Farm woodland garden Warehorne. Lloyd’s innovative planting at Great Dixter is given loving A marvellous tea rounded off of a very satisfactory day. treatment. But the selection of gardens and their gardeners elsewhere in the country is delightfully and helpfully eclectic. Whilst Broughton Grange, Packwood House, and new city corners, West Dean might have been expected, it’s a special pleasure to read about the head gardeners’ roles in restoring the Hidden Gardens complementing towering gardens at Lowther Castle and Trentham Park, and the new office blocks, and By Richard Stileman special challenge of converting Charles Jencks’ musings almost always with into sustainable garden features at the Garden of Cosmic Hidden Gardens of the City of London and glimpses of the Roman Speculation in Cumbria. Ambra Edwards gleefully includes The Skygarden fortifications. We lunched the work of Ned Price in developing a wildlife orientated at a meze restaurant garden at The Weir in Herefordshire, and the eccentric approaches of Beatrice Krehl at Waltham Place. At Merton This was a memorable day. Lucky with the weather, in the shadow of St College in Oxford, Lucille Savin’s deft work in balancing (predictably) lucky with our guide Diana Kelsey, and lucky Paul’s, and afterwards the needs of a supreme historical setting with modern to gain easy access to the Skygarden and see London from looked at some of the relevance is given a careful appraisal. Finally, the author all points of the compass; from Wembley Stadium to The new plantings around emphasizes the social dimensions of gardens and gardening Olympic Stadium and from Alexandra Palace to Wren’s masterpiece by looking at the work of former drug addict Paul Pulford at the Queen Elizabeth Hall roof garden in London, and that of Crystal Palace. before walking eastwards Carol Sales in fashioning a garden best suited to the needs towards the Skygarden Meeting at the Museum of London Diana took us, via mostly of damaged war veterans at Headley Court. in Bishopsgate. Looking South from the Skygarden new raised walkways, on a zig zag walk following the old Roman wall of Most of us would have seen the ‘walkie-talkie’ building London. The City from our train journey into London, and most of us would make it, we are enclosing a letter and a further form with Corporation has have thought what an out-of-proportion monster it is! But Privacy Matters the newsletter. We do need your permission to contact you. done wonders in a speedy visit to the 35th to the 38th floors quickly removes The Kent Gardens Trust privacy policy can be seen in full Finally, we are considering a password entry system on this part of London one’s misgivings and replaces them with admiration for on the website. the website to be used when buying tickets for events. This the concept of and execution of a sloping tropical garden encouraging bold is now standard practice and helps to prevent hackers spread over three stories with restaurant and bars, and Thank you for returning the consent forms for the General and imaginative acquiring personal details. It will add one step in the with those amazing 360 degree views around the whole of Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May. We had over Part of the group outside the plantings in old process but will help to give peace of mind. Salters Garden squares and the city. 80% return which was amazing. For those of you who didn’t

10 Kent Gardens Trust - Working for Kent’s Garden Heritage Kent Gardens Trust - Working for Kent’s Garden Heritage 11 © Kent Gardens Trust

The Public Parks and spaces that were recorded are as Humphry The Dover follows: Crabble Athletic Ground is an example Repton in of an early C20 sports ground that was Project originally used for cricket and cycling, now used by Dover Rugby Club, the Kent 2015 - 2018 original pavilion still stands. As part of a country-wide Connaught Park was laid out in 1884 celebration of the work of the 19th century landscape gardener By Cilla Freud and was renowned for its flower Humphry Repton, the Kent beds and large pond with a fountain. In 2015 Dover District Council (DDC) Gardens Trust research team have Although these features have not been produced a beautifully illustrated commissioned researchers at the Kent kept up, it is still a well used public book describing Repton’s five Gardens Trust to research several park that has splendid views over commissions in Kent, with a short private and public gardens as well Dover Castle and the docks. introduction to his life and artistic as open spaces. DDC has developed Mark Wood Gardens is a typical principles. Humphry Repton in a Heritage Strategy and the aim of example given by a generous Kent is a companion volume to the project was to assess and record Capability Brown in Kent. It is 140 benefactor to provide recreational the significance of the sites for future pages long and will interest not space for the public within new strategy reviews and historical records. only garden historians but anyone housing developments. The team consisted of ten researchers keen to know more about the The Butts, Rope Walk, Mill Wall and social history of the county and the and Harriet Jordan the editor, they were The Bulwark make up more than two lives of the leading figures of the assisted by the Principal Heritage Officer thirds of the town walls that surround time. Our research has revealed for DDC, Alison Cummings, and the Sandwich. As such, they form the fascinating and hitherto unknown Historic Environment Record Manager, major part of the most complete contemporary letters and drawings Paul Cuming, from Kent County Council. and has made extensive use of example of medieval earth ramparts Six private gardens, four public Repton’s famous Red Books. that have survived in England to the spaces and one site owned by a trust date of this report. From the mid C19, were chosen. they have been managed to provide The privately owned gardens public walks and open space. that were recorded are not open The Pines is run by The Bay Trust and to the public are as follows: is an example of an organically run The smallest is in Woodnesborough garden. It was founded in 1971 and and had been designed by Anthony du contains many mature trees such as Gard Pasley (1929-2009). One of the walnut, fig and pomegranate. many gardens he also designed was The research group met every 6 Pashley Manor in East Sussex, he was months to discuss the progress of the a member of the Institute of Landscape reports and during this time a couple Architects and wrote several books of outings were enjoyed by the group, on gardening. one to Connaught Park and the other Denton Court has a C17 house with to The Pines. At the end of the project extensive surrounding parkland much we visited The Salutation in Sandwich of which has remained unchanged. and had an interesting tour of the gardens with Steve Edney the head Fredville Park is well known for its Copies are available through our gardener, we lunched at the Crispin ancient oaks and sweet chestnuts. website www.kentgardenstrust. Inn and then walked the town walls. org.uk and all good book shops. St Albans Court dates from C14 and Price £10 (Kent Gardens Trust retains a Tudor walled garden and a Many thanks to the researchers in the team members £8), postage and packing C19 Pulham fernery. whose hard work made this project possible they were Paul Lewis, Martin Meare, £3.50 extra. Wootton Court has pleasure grounds, Michael O’brien, Terri Zbyszewska, Barbara KGT members may obtain a Piper, Peta Hodges, Jane Davidson, Elizabeth parkland and a kitchen garden Cairns, Rosemary Dymond and Cilla Freud. discount code by contacting our that reflect the ideals in fashion Thank you also to Harriet Jordan our editor secretary Lynn Phillips at lynn. for designed landscape of the late whose patience and help encouraged us all, [email protected]. Alison Cumming who worked with us to Georgian period. fulfil the Dover Heritage Strategy and Paul uk Alternatively, a cheque for the Cuming who formatted all our reports to appropriate amount may be sent Dane Court parkland has an existing make them presentable and uniform. to Lynn Phillips at Yew Cottage, C18 house and is now surrounded by For more information about the reports visit Station Road, Eynsford, Kent open grassland. the KGT website where most of the reports DA4 0ER. will soon be posted.

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12 Kent Gardens Trust - Working for Kent’s Garden Heritage