I have recently purchased Ayscoughfee and its History. The 1912 and 1923 issues. In this extract I have reproduced the sections on the gardens and it shows the changes that have taken place over this period. It details a hurricane and blizzard in March 1916 that up rooted 100 trees and obviously caused considerable damage. The document was written by the Council and the Gardens Committee and one can sense their pride.
Note: Click on pictures below to enlarge.
The Gardens, which are the special attraction of the place, are set out in the Old Dutch style, of which there are but few existing examples. The yew hedges before mentioned are amongst · the finest in England, and are said to be nearly five hundred years old, dating back to the time of the erection of the Hall.
They were described by the late Mr G. F. Barrell, J. P., F. R. H. S., who was recognised as an authority on the subject, as not to be matched in their own style of picturesque beauty, and as being greatly superior to those of the Duke of Cleveland, at Battle, ‘one of the other best examples in the country.
In addition to the old yews, the Gardens contain other very fine trees. There is the Red Oak (the “giant”), reproduced in this impression, which measures 31 feet 5 inches, and round the trunk (6 feet from the ground) 17 feet 3 inches, and whose wide-spreading branches extend far beyond Love-lane, and into the garden adjoining; there is also a line While Oak, and a rather rare Evergreen Oak a Silver Larch with two legs, and also a specimen of the Large Larch. On the wall along Churchgate there is an Abborvitae tree several feet high, a seed having been dropped there by a bird, and it grows unaided in the wall, taking the food it wants from the lime in the mortar. The parent plant is some thirty yards away. In the flower garden is a Willow grown from a cutting taken from Napoleon’s grave al St. Helena, and given to Ayscoughfee by Mr Foster, of Aldershot. In addition to these, there is the Weymouth pine, Mulberry, Orocaria, Variegated Maple, Drooping Ash (a well-shaped tree), and Scarlet and Pink Double May. On the house are a Magnolia and a Green Fig Tree and in the centre of an oval bed in front of the Hall is a Magnolia Glauca, surrounded by Rhododendrons.
In the grounds is an ornamental Lake, for which fresh water can from time to time be taken from the River Welland by means of a tunnel. The Lake is well stocked with Tench, Roach, silver Bream, and Rudd, and there are also some Gold fish. At the further end · of the Lake is the Tower and Fernery. Here is an old-time smoke-room. And a staircase leads to the owl-chamber, the Tower being the resort of these birds at the present time.
Near to the Tower is a spacious Icehouse. In the lawn in front of the drawing room are two lead figures, said to have been dug up from the bed of the River Thames. The beautiful Gardens are much frequented by Residents and Visitors, who are loud in their praise of such a charming resort.
Considerable improvements have been made during the last few years. The kitchen gardens have been done away with and converted into pleasure grounds and flowerbeds.
On the bit Road side, a beautiful rose and clematis walk is being formed which will take several years to bring to perfection, but already shows promise of great beauty.
The comfort of the public has also been studied in the provision of & large number of seats in all parts of the gardens. During the past two years the number has been more than doubled.
The Council and the Gardens Committee, have only one object in view, namely, the comfort and pleasure of the public, and in return they trust that those who go to seek pleasure there will assist in maintaining order and decorum.
Since the property came into the possession of the town several important alterations have been made, and not the least of these has been the laying down of a Bowling Green, which is resorted to during the season by many lovers of the game.
There is a good-sized Paddock adjoining the Gardens, which has been utilised as a Recreation Ground for children, and is largely taken advantage of throughout the year. Mr and Mrs Stannard are the Caretakers of the Hall and Gardens.
The Gardens, which are the special attraction of the place, are set, out in the Old Dutch style, of which there are but few existing examples. The yew hedges before mentioned are amongst the finest in England, and are said to be nearly live hundred years old, dating back to the time of the erection of the Hall.
They were described by the late Mr G. F. Barrell, J. P., F. R. H. S., who was recognised as all authority on the subject, as not to be matched in their own style of picturesque beauty, and as being greatly superior to those of the Duke of Cleveland, at Battle, one of the other best examples in the country.
In addition to the old yews, the Gardens contain other very fine trees. There is the Red Oak (the “giant”), which measures 31 feet 5 inches, and round the trunk (6 feet from the ground) 17 feet 3 inches, and whose wide spreading branches extend far beyond Love-Lane I and into the garden adjoining; there is also a fine White Oak, and a specimen of the Large Larch. On the wall along Church-gate there is an Abborvitte tree, several feet high, a seed having been dropped there by a bird, and it grows unaided in the wall, taking the food it wants from the lime in the mortar. The parent plant is some thirty yards away. In the Bower garden is a Willow, grown from a cutting taken from Napoleon’s grave at Bt. Helena, and given to Ayscoughfee by the late Sir William Foster, of Aldershot, formerly of Moulton. In addition to these, there are the Orocaria, Variegated Maple, and Drooping Ash (a well-shaped tree). On the house are a Magnolia and a Green Fig Tree; and in the centre of an oval bed in front of the Hall is a Magnolia Glauca, surrounded by Rhododendrons.
In March, 1916, a hurricane-blizzard caused great havoc to the garden, uprooting more than 100 trees, which lay strewn all over the grounds, many falling into the Lake. Among several very fine specimens thus destroyed were a rather rare Evergreen Oak, Weymouth Pine, and a Scarlet and a Pink Double May. The same storm brought down the centre one of three stone chimneys, standing 12 feet high, but its two fellow pieces were left intact. A Silver Larch with two legs, which the gardens once boasted, died a natural death.
In the grounds is an ornamental Lake, for which fresh water can from time to time be taken from the River Welland by means of a tunnel. The Lake is well stocked with Tench, Roach, Silver Bream, and Rudd, and there are also some Gold Fish. At the further end of the Lake is situated the Tower of Remembrance, erected in memory of 252 Spaldonians who fell in the Great War. On this site there formerly stood the Tower (shown in one of our illustration), which had a smoke room and brick a staircase, leading to the owl chamber-a much-liked home of these birds. When the Tower was demolished, Mr Tero (the gardener) found four young owls in it, which he placed in box on the lawn, where they were fed by the parent birds. The owls have since made their home in the old brewery chimney, situated at the back of the paddock.
The erection of the Temple of Remembrance brought about a veritable transformation of the grounds in the vicinity, the change being part of the scheme. The pathways on either side of the Lake, which originally were only three feet wide-quite sufficient for a private garden, but totally inadequate for a public resort-were widened wherever possible to a width of ten feet and gravelled.
An old Mulberry Lawn on the right of the Lake (looking towards the Temple). which was practically a wilderness at the time the grounds came into possession of the town, was dug up, and the ground was altogether rearranged with exquisite Bower beds, surrounded with herbaceous borders, with the idea of improving the approach to the Temple of Remembrance from that side. Although the work was only completed in the year 1922, the gardener secured a glorious display of antirrhinums of bright pink, pale apricot, rich apricot, white and orange, while Shirley Poppies bloomed in superabundance, their variegated colours lending enchantment to the eye and creating a fascinating effect in the general view, especially when witnessed from an angle with the Yew hedge as a background. Winding paths have been arranged in and out of the Bower beds and at the entrance to these paths box and yew trees have been planted, with a view to training in the Old Dutch style, in keeping with the traditional layout of the gardens.
Some of the old paths have been closed up, permitting of the enlargement of the shrubberies and garden beds, and new walks made further back.
Improvements have also been carried out in the gardens to the left of the lake, behind the wonderful old Yews, which stretch the full length of the lake. Here, at the top of the bowling green, there had developed a growth of elders and sycamore seedlings, which was far from being ornamental, and which threatened to engulf the Bowling Green and the path. This thicket, was entirely removed and the shrubbery path placed further back and enlarged, while, in the place of the thicket, a garden of ornamental shrubs, fronted with beds formed from stones of the Owl Tower was arranged, with seats so placed as to afford onlookers an uninterrupted view of the ancient game of bowls.
Yet another improvement to the gardens was carried out. This was to the beautiful rose and clematis walk, laid out in 1912 on the Cowbit Road side, this work also being undertaken in connection with the remodelling of the gardens. The aid of the leading townspeople was enlisted, and they generously donated conifer in various variety. Unfortunately most of these trees died, owing in part to the fact, that they were planted out of season and to the abnormal spring weather experienced. Arrangements have been made, however, to replace them in proper season, and when they bloom their effect will be to enhance greatly the beauty of this favourite walk.
The gardens contain some very quaint figures, including three in lead. Two of them a man and a woman are evidently a pair. Both are partially clad in armour, the man carrying a sword and the woman a weapon resembling a halberd. The other leaden figure has been the cause of much speculation among visitors, some of whom have expressed the opinion that it is a representation of Atlas, and that the statue has lost its globe, which has been replaced with the flower bowl he now carries on his shoulders. This figure, which used to be situated in front of the Owl Tower al the head of the lake, is remarkable for the fact that the man has two left feet. It is reported that these three figures were dug up from the Thames. The gardens also contain a statue of Diana.
The Council and the Gardens Committee have only one object in view, namely, the comfort and pleasure of the public, and in return they trust that those who go to seek pleasure there will assist in maintaining order and decorum.
Since the properly came into the posse8sion of the town several important alterations have been made, and not the least of these has been the laying down of a Bowling Green, which is resorted to during the season by many lovers of the game. Provision has also been made for the lovers of tennis, two hard courts having been laid out two years ago, while there is also a lawn tennis court. Very small fees are charged for either of these games, season tickets being procurable for 7s. 6d., while by paying 3d. one can play tennis or bowls from 9 to 1, from 1 to 5, or from 5 until closing time. Surely the cheapest sport in any part of the country! And last year the receipts were approximately £80. The gardens, therefore, are a source of revenue, as well as of beauty and rest to the townsfolk and visitors.
There is a good-sized Paddock adjoining the Gardens, which has been utilised as a Recreation Ground for children, and is largely taken advantage of throughout the year. Mr and Mrs W. H. Tero are the Caretakers of the Hall and Gardens, Mr Tero having been at the gardens for the past 25 years.