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The Sherborne, also known as Sherborne House, a Grade 1 listed Georgian Mansion, has undergone extensive and sensitive restoration to create a landmark destination for the arts. In December last year, I was contacted to discuss the planting scheme for the garden. The brief was to create a ‘winter garden’ in the existing beds which…

I am sitting at my desk looking out at driving rain, feeling a bit chilly and wondering whether I need to put the light on or not… So to make the most of my time (as it is too wet to measure up the garden job on my list) I am putting together a series…

Over the past two years, I have been working with Shepton Mallet town council to make the planting in the town more environmentally friendly. This has included leaving larger areas of unmown grass in Collett Park, planting a copse for the Queen’s Jubilee and more recently the replacement of the flower towers (planted with a…

What a treat to get a mention in this month’s House & Garden magazine (July) which features a wonderful garden I worked on in Devon. The project spanned 3 years from conception to completion and it was an absolute pleasure to work with such environmentally conscious clients.

The soil has dried out a bit and I’ve made a start preparing the garden for the new season. There are so many new shoots which is exciting to see – and a reminder that I must finish pruning the apples, roses and willow coppice. Prunings are used to make wildlife ‘hotels’ / habitats and…

To coincide with the launch of the new Shepton Mallet pop up arts venue, Create@#8, I put together a winter programme of willow weaving workshops there. I have also spent three days in a school involving with every child to make a living willow tunnel. Its been a busy week out of the design office…

Last weekend I went on a bat walk in our local park, it was organized by the newly formed Shepton Walks and the evening was led by three very knowledgeable members from the Somerset Bat Group. We met at 7.30pm in Collett Park and at about 7.45pm, the heterodyne bat detectors alerted us to a…

This morning I led the community tree planting on behalf of Shepton Mallet Town Council. I designed a ‘Crown Copse’ in Collett Park to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. We planted 21 Amelanchier canadensis and there will be mown paths between the trees which will give the effect of a crown at the top end of…

Give a thought to the soil

I have been invited to take part in an event in Frome on Saturday 18th September “Improve don’t move” 10am-3pm This event is all about improving one’s home in a sustainable way, both indoors and outdoors. There will be local experts in renovation, insulation, home energy, design…. on hand to offer guidance and inspiration. As well…