Strong winds and heavy cloud in the morning didn’t promise a pleasant afternoon for our visit to a garden designed by Thomas Mawson situated close to Jenny Brown’s Point at Silverdale. However, when 21 of us arrived for the visit, it was still windy but the sun was shining.
We were welcomed by Eve, secretary of The Friends of Mawson’s Garden and by Linda, one of our u3a members and Treasurer of the Friends group. We were introduced to Brian Smith, the owner, and then entered the walled garden through Amanda’s Gate, a beautiful wooden gate in which there is a circle of pink-stained glass. It felt like entering a secret garden.
Brian told us that the garden was constructed between 1926 and 1936 but by 1980 it had been abandoned. When he took over the garden 10 years ago it was almost completely overgrown and he has spent the time since then, with the help of volunteers, revealing the garden as designed by Mawson, in effect a massive limestone rockery.
Thomas Mawson was born at Scorton into a poor family but rose to fame in his day, becoming a landscape designer of national and international fame. He used the natural features of the garden, geology and situation in his design. Some of the trees in the original plantings are still living and beautiful but many trees, such as ash and sycamore which had grown during its neglected years have had to be removed to open up the vista. On a cool breezy day, it felt as though the garden had its own climate as it was calmer and warmer within it.
Brian told us about the history of the garden and about Mawson and his wish that Mawson’s name as a garden designer should not be forgotten.
There is so much more that could be said about Thomas Mawson, his life and gardens and if you have the chance to go to this local garden, take it.
