a garden, a memorial and a rural museum


Mr digandweed's father was a very enthusiastic gardener. He loved growing flowers. He loved growing vegetables.
For several years before his very sad and sudden death just before Christmas last year, he was one of a group of volunteers helping to restore a Victorian walled garden in the small town where he lived.

A couple of months ago we were contacted by the trustees of the garden, as they wished to put up a plaque in memory of Lloyd.

When first 'discovered' the garden had fallen into decay and was so overgrown that it was almost impossible to open the large wooden gates.
The transformation of the garden is remarkable and at this time of year it is a riot of colour and bursting with a harvest of vegetables and fruit.





True to the original design, a long archway has been re-instated the length of the garden with many varieties of apple trained on it.

And it is an apple tree that has been selected to mark the position of the simple memorial.
At a small gathering last week, mr digandweed had the honour of putting the plaque in place.

A very fitting reminder of a much missed dad and grandad who loved gardening.


Adjacent to the garden, is a small rural museum and tea room.
We had time to enjoy a cup of tea and cake and a look around the museum which provides an interesting insight into life in The Fens from a bygone age.

With the Great Fen project getting underway just a few miles up the road, it became apparent that a disused cottage, which now lay on land acquired by the project, was in danger of being flooded and so it was carefully dismantled and moved to the site of the museum.


It is now possible to look around the house, which is furnished as it would have been in the 1940s.
At that time, the house had no running water, electricity or main drainage. Water, for use in the house, was collected in 2 water butts and the toilet was at the end of the garden.


I always find it fascinating to consider the minutiae of domestic life that our parents/grandparents were accustomed to.


On the same site, there are also reconstructions of various shops of the time, including a chemist and cobblers. The latter being an essential, at a time when a pair of shoes had to last many years.



Despite the sadness, it was a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Happy weekend x



Comments

  1. What a wonderful memorial for something he so obviously loved. Looks to be a great day out, the house holds lots of fascinating memorabilia.

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  2. That cottage! I love this, it must be fascinating inside. Reminds me of my grandma's house in so many ways.
    And beautiful gardens too. What a lovely tribute to your father in law.
    S

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  3. What a lovely and fitting memorial to a much loved father and grandfather. The garden looks fab - the vo!unteers' hard work has clearly paid off.

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  4. What a lovely way to remember your father in law. It looks like a beautiful garden.

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  5. Beautiful garden and such a touching tribute.

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  6. Thanks for showing me a new museum. I love museums. Glad they've saved that house. It looks beautiful but imagine, life without the water mains, especially for draining water away. Lovely garden and fitting tribute to your father in law.

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