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News Church host


to concerts MUSIC lovers are in for two rich and varied concerts at St Mary’s Church, Thurnham. The Detling Singers are giving a concert at St Mary's on Saturday June 4 at 7.30pm to help raise funds for the church. There will be songs from the


shows and popular musicals, in- cluding Oliver, South Pacific and My Fair Lady, as well as some prom-style audience participation numbers. Wine and soft drinks we be


served in the interval. The cost is £10 per ticket, available from the newsagent on the Green in Bearsted or from the Detling singers’ Mike Mortlock on 01634 862297. Later in the month, the popular “Dawn Chorus” will be performing songs from four centuries – from Bach to the Beatles, in aid of the NSPCC. This concert takes place on Sun-


day June 26 at 4pm and tickets are again £10, obtainable from Lynette on 01622 739051. Afternoon tea and cakes will be served in the interval. St Mary’s is continuing to pro-


mote the use of the church for event. Anyone interested in hiring the venushould call Samantha Os- borne on 01622 631747.


downsmail.co.uk


Book reveals illustrious past of abbey gardens


A NEW book on the work of the landscape architect Capability Brown reveals he designed the garden grounds around Leeds Abbey when they were owned by John Calcraft. In the mid-18th century, Calcraft commissioned Brown to create the “ordered, ornate and geometric gardens of Continental design”, ac- cording toAuthor Dr Hugh Vaux. Today, there is virtually no sign


of Brown’s marvellous creations, just a shallow silted-up pond sur- rounded by fallen trees. The woods – which lie behind the playing fields in Leeds village – are now favoured by foxes and dog walkers. Local author Dr Vaux’s book,


which is entitled Capability Brown in Kent, has been published to com- memorate the 300th anniversary of Brown’s birth. The book has been published by


the Kent Gardens Trust and is now available in bookshops and in the visitor centre at Leeds Castle. It tells how the rich and success-


ful Calcraft – whose marriage had just failed – had a third home in


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Leeds. While his friends wondered why he had bought a country house so far from London, Calcraft was indulging what rwell-to-do men were prone to do at time: cre- ate a garden of great design. So, as Dr Vaux explains, he set


about making 30 acres of south-fac- ing land “beautiful and impres- sive”. The books says: “Now, aged 49, Capability Brown is already renowned for his garden landscap- ing, having perfected the art of tak- ing the garden far beyond its


traditional limits and out to the horizon “He is already in demand at hundreds of the country’s great houses.” Calcraft’s mansion in Leeds was


called Leeds Abbey and was built on the site of King Henry Vlll’s dis- solved priory and was already 150 years old at the time when he started construction.


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