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June 2005
Saturday 11th
I have a meeting with our sponsor, Michael Yarrow and his wife Heather, to discuss the outcome of Chelsea. I had gone along to this meeting with some concepts of a garden, though I thought it unlikely that 4head would sponsor a garden in 2006. However, I was happily surprised when Michael expressed a desire to sponsor a garden at Chelsea 2006. Heather had some ideas of her own, but encouraged me to tell them what I had in mind first. Watching their faces as I did my presentation I thought that perhaps there was something desperately wrong with the idea I was trying to put across. However, when I had finished I realised that their expressions were ones of amazement as what I had described was remarkably similar - even to the plant lists and the site that we wanted (which had to be on Main Avenue) - to the idea that Heather had. Thus the '4head Garden of Dreams' was born. We discussed our ideas at some length and co-opted Heather onto the team as co-designer. I then went away to draw up some plans which would have to be submitted to the RHS, for consideration by the gardens planning committee, by the first week of July.
Saturday18th
Once again I visit Heather and Michael, this time with a set of plans and drawings of the garden. We have a pool in the centre of the garden, with a central island. On this we wish to feature a sculptural piece but cannot agree on what this should be. Heather has a preference for some sort of standing stone but I feel that this may be too harsh in what is a very soft and natural garden. We agree to search for a suitable stone, but to continue looking for alternative sculptures.
Monday 20th
I contact CED, one of the largest stone suppliers and explain that we are looking for a lichen covered 'standing stone'. They tell me that such a piece will be very hard to find unless we can find an old gatepost or some such item. More likely would be a stone which could be taken up out of the ground with moss on only one side. I feel that this would not be suitable.
Saturday 25th
I spend the weekend with Phil working on the drawing that we will need to submit to the RHS next week. The finished sketches of our woodland dream garden look really lovely and I think that the garden will be very dramatic when looking down its full length, through the trees.
Monday 27th
I take finished drawings and final plans to show to Michael and Heather. We spend the afternoon filling in the forms which have to be submitted with the drawings to the RHS so that they can be sent off next week.
Tuesday 28th
I have a phone call from CED who say that they are currently drawing a blank on a tall stone with moss all round it. Phil and I have discussed other mediums for sculpture including wood, glass and bronze. I contact Iistyn Davis who is a glass sculptor and ask him if he would have any thoughts on a piece of sculpture which encapsulated the idea of dreams.
Wednesday 29th
All the forms, drawings and plans are sent off to the RHS.
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