Celebrating 25 years of restoration
The Fountain Garden
Work has started on our new Fountain Garden,
celebrating 25 years of restoration and remembering those who served in the World Wars.
This new garden, at the entrance to the old hall, was created to celebrate 25 years of work to bring these venerable gardens back to life. It provides a stronger design for the entrance to the gardens and reflects the feeling of arrival that visitors to the Hall might have felt many years ago.
The Hall was demolished in 1951 having been the home of ‘A’ Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment during the Second World War and it seemed fitting to include elements to commemorate these brave men who spent their last night here before being parachuted into Arnhem as part of Operation Market Garden. During the First World War soldiers were also based here, as convalescents returning from the front, so this garden marks our gratitude for their service too. Four generations of the Cholmeley family served in the Grenadier Guards and Capt. Sir Montie Cholmeley, the fourth Baronet, was killed in action on Christmas Eve 1914. This garden also recognises his sacrifice.
Sentinel Yews have been planted to give a sense of permanence, guardianship and definition. They are surrounded in summer by soft grasses and meadow flowers to encourage movement. Our central feature is the fountain which creates sound and a peaceful ambience. Many of the plants have maroon flowers – the colour of the Parachute Regiment’s beret.
The design of this garden has been a true collaborative effort, with the gardening and office team contributing ideas to Fred and Ursula Cholmeley’s original concept.
The Fountain Garden has been generously supported by The Arnhem 1944 Fellowship (The Arnhem Fellowship exists to commemorate the sacrifices made during the Battle of Arnhem, to educate people and to maintain the bonds of friendship forged during the Battle. For more information go to www.arnhem1944fellowship.org), Magnavale and A Place in the Garden. We would also like to thank Debbie Nicholls for her help connecting us to the Arnhem story at Easton.
This is an artist’s impression of how the garden will look in years to come.
