The biennial Doddington Sculpture Exhibition is underway and has two weeks left to run. Its worth a visit to see the incredible range of art work being produced and should give inspiration to anyone interested in giving their garden another dimension.
Read MoreI've been lucky enough to work on many interesting gardens. A recent Lincoln project though has been unusual for the spirit of creative adventure encouraged by the client - busy business people with an artistic instinct....and hands-on gardeners. *'Here's the space. We're not sure what to do with it and we're interested to see what you come up with....oh yes and we love Gaudi'*. As canvasses go that really was blank.
Read MoreThe two unusual round buildings that come into view as you drive through the centre of Anwick village, near Sleaford, look distinctly like hobbit houses straight from the set of Lord of the Rings. They are in fact the village’s old forge, built around 1800, and remarkably still used for their original purpose. The current ‘blacksmith in residence’ is Tim Mackereth who, together with his wife Fran, runs a thriving business that has just had its tenth anniversary.
Read MoreThe first thing that strikes you is the smell. There is an unusual but pleasant aroma filling the air and the sheep in the middle of the room is not the culprit. I have come to meet willow weaver, basket maker and artist, Alison Walling in her Lincoln studio and the smell of the massed ranks of willow rods leaning lazily against the wall is instantly recognisable. “The sheep is a commission that I have just finished” explained Alison, and the subtle drop of the shoulder and angle of the ears are uncannily life like.
Read MoreDry stone walling is a skilled craft producing beautiful results that look equally as good in the garden as in the countryside. Follow the link to an article I recently wrote for Lincolnshire Life magazine about Lincolnshire based Master craftsman waller Andy Craig for an interesting insight into the craft - link