Lynne Robinson has waited a lifetime to create the garden of her dreams. A dream in place since her childhood. After 33 years of marriage, with numerous grandchildren, it seemed that perhaps she would have the time at last to embark on the cottage garden she had thought of for years. Then, disaster: Lynne was struck down with acute arthritis. The condition grew so extreme that she was confined to the house, immobile and in pain. Still she dreamed her dream as she fought the disease until after four years of immobility, fabulous news – the doctors found a drug which worked, and slowly, slowly her mobility returned, and the pain became more manageable.
But still she was thwarted in her plans to turn her dream garden into reality. First she had to lose the extra ten stone in weight – yes, ten stone – she had put on during her illness. A woman not to be daunted – after all, she was a mature student who graduated with a first class joint honours degree, and subsequently taught Open University undergraduates for years, she fought to lose the weight, and to return, emotionally and physically, to normality. Crucial to this was the ongoing planning of her dream garden.
Then another hitch,just when the tide was turning , Lynne and her husband had to move to Telford,
Or was it a hitch, because here they were presented with a blank canvas that was her and her husband’s garden – just a massive lawn, with not a single tree or plant. So one day, they went to Lakeside Plant and Garden Centre which was just around the corner. It was a turning point, and so began the real rebirth of Lynne’s life. She spent hours in the garden, planning, thinking and finding utter joy in just being outside, and turning her dream into reality.
The plan evolved day by day, the digging began, and the blowsy cottage garden she had planned in her mind gradually took shape.
Once the structure was in place, the planting could begin, and with each stage, Lynne grew stronger, awakening her mind and body from her illness and immobility. Each stage of the development of the garden brought more energy, more solace, more enthusiasm for life.
Lynne had decided that birds, bees and butterflies must be attracted, nature must be encouraged, but her grandchildren were not forgotten. Lynne determined that this place must be one of enchantment not just for her, the birds, bees and butterflies but for her grandchildren, and husband. So she included coloured lights and flowers which were clearly artificial but which made statements amongst the real plants. Lynne says, ‘I didn’t want block planting so wove it together by colour. I mixed heights so that you didn’t see everything at once. It became a discovery when looking at it from different angles.’
Lynne hid butterflies, dragonflies, ladybirds and fairies within the plants. And even added a few little stakes with pigs, cows and bees for my youngest granddaughter to discover. She added statues of children and animals and currently working on the bird bath, bird table and wild flower area.
‘Today I bought a peacock and heron, artificial of course, to sit amongst the trees. My lady shed and summer house with architectural plants on the decking area create another “room” within this magical place. So, my garden and the beauty of the flowers have restored my health and I am now looking forward to our final stage of life. I may have left my house and job behind but I have finally been able to realise my dream at the age of 63.’
Lynne explained how the Lakeside garden centre has been an integral part of this process with their never ending advice and support. Sharing ideas and providing excellent quality plants at a reasonable price.
‘Lots of the lights and small touches were enabled by them and this small family run centre have been amazing. I remember standing in there at the beginning of the year crying, just at the beauty of being amongst nature again. Almost as if I had forgotten there was beauty to be found in life, so hard had been the struggle to grow strong again. In effect my illness and the consequences of it actually enabled me to achieve something I’d always wanted to do but never been able to until now.’
The garden centre is owned by Steve and Cathy Evans. They are on Facebook and have a website at www.lakesideplantcentre.co.uk. their address and details about the centre are on there. It is in Priorslee Telford Shropshire.
Lakeside Plant and Garden Centre, your garden centre in Telford
We are a family owned independent garden centre and pride ourselves in providing a first class service to all our customers. We stock a wide range of high quality plants, garden care and garden related products.
lakesideplantcentre.co.uk
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