An ATDI engineer’s blooming talent has produced a charity windfall and a garden delight for visitors.
ATDI UK technical director Nick Kirkman opened up the garden at House in the Wood, a property owned by his family, as part of the National Gardens Scheme. The scheme facilitates gardeners opening their grounds to visitors and organises the collection of entrance fees and their distribution to nursing charities; the organisation says total donations have now topped £50 million and the opening of House in the Wood added more than £1800 to that based on 260 visitors and serving around 200 cream teas
The garden at House in the Wood is described by the National Gardens Scheme as a “peaceful 12-acre woodland garden with continuing progress and improvement. New areas and streams have been developed and good acers planted among mature azaleas and rhododendrons. A magical garden to get lost in and popular with birdwatchers.”
House in the Wood is near Beaulieu in the New Forest close to Nick’s home and he is one a number of family members who contribute to the garden’s success. “Like every engineer, I love a puzzle,” Nick says, “but it is also a great pleasure to do those things that are more physical than mental. At House in the Wood, the garden requires lots of finesse but also more macro care involving a chainsaw.”
House in the Wood already has its place in history as it was a training base for the Special Operations Executive during the second world war.