gardening | style
Using Railway Sleepers to Create Beautiful Natural Garden Designs
T
he star of the Isle of Wight Literary Festival (15th to 18th October) will be “Winston’s Island”. This limited edition of 950 copies researches closeness between Churchills and the Island, and astonishes. Over generations they came for work, pleasure,
to explore – a famous family enjoying the Island as we do. Author Anthony Churchill has new material. His passion is ocean racing, 60 years from Cowes, the middle ten with Ted Heath. He noted Winston’s parents fi rst meet in Cowes, a day two assignation, and on the third their engagement. Anthony retired 12 years ago to Ventnor where seas are rough. Locals said young Winston stayed, once.
Curious, he researched Churchills, Spencer-Churchills, Dukes of Marlborough and (Winston’s mother’s family) Jeromes, on the Island. Astounded, contacts multiplied. Here Winston spent formative years. He stayed at four Ventnor houses over six years, here he became a man of the people. He saw 20 ton guns at Sandown, ate blackberries towards ‘Laurence’, crossing the island he swam at Osborne with Queen Victoria’s grandson. His beloved nanny had Island family. Interwar Winston made many visits. At Compton he built sandcastles; he dug out the little known Churchill Chine on Brook’s coast; he electioneered at Ryde, Wootton, Newport, Yarmouth (trailed by suffragettes); he visited Parkhurst.
Anthony’s research begins with the 17th Century Churchill Farm (Chessell), moving to John Churchill – later Duke of Marlborough – as MP for Newtown; Winston’s English grandfather raced ‘Wyvern’ in the fi rst America’s Cup, round the Island. His American grandfather sailed the fi rst ocean race, New York to Cowes. His ancestors were Island based until 1719 and emigration to America. Many of Winston’s contacts were Islanders. He admired Tennyson (at Farringford, Freshwater), Seelys (Brook), Colvilles (Seaview), Max Aitkens.
Winston’s Clementine wrote her last pre-engagement letter to Winston, from the Island (she loved Bembridge). She travelled to Blenheim. On the third day Winston proposed.
In 2013 Anthony invited Winston’s family for the 140th Anniversary of Winston’s parents meeting. Twenty visited the Needles, Priory Bay, Osborne, Ventnor, and a Gala Dinner for 150. Winston’s great grandson Randolph wrote of the splendid book which now results “Here are episodes of conjecture and fact unexplored by many biographers. Here are covered the fi rst meeting of Winston’s parents, early holidays, visits to palaces and prisons…only now discovered and thoroughly researched”
Anthony Churchill speaks on his book Thursday 15th October at St Mary’s Church, Northwood House at 6, with a book signing after.
For more information visit
www.winstonsisland.co.uk or call Anthony on 07785 552163
102
www.styleofwight.co.uk
By Glenn Colson from GS Landscaping
R
ailway sleepers are a natural method of implementation within garden design and can be an alternative to using brick or stone.
Old railway sleepers have an oil content problem which can contaminate soil, so it is best to use pressure treated timber that resembles railway sleepers and these can be bought from most timber merchants.
Sleepers can be used to create raised vegetable or flower beds, water features or can be utilised to install gentle steps, retaining walls or divisions within driveways and pathway.
Natural wood can create beautiful tranquil settings within your garden, with minimal upkeep and will last for many years.
Specialises in all types of hard landscaping
Paving...Driveways...Patios....Brickwork
Fencing...Turfing...Concreting...Slabbing...Land drainage
For a personal quote call Glenn on 01983-282174 or 07933-096795
www.gslandscaping.co.uk
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