26th June: David Stone - Head Gardener at Mottisfont, National Trust 1978-2014

This is David Stone's last week as Head Gardener at Mottisfont, National Trust.

David Stone has worked for National Trust at Mottisfont for 36 years. He implemented, cared for and protected a world heritage rose garden and one of the most significant rose gardens in the world, which now receives over 50,000 visitors a year. Earlier this year, David received a RHS Lifetime Achievement Award.

Last week, Country Life Magazine ran a six pages feature on Mottisfont and summed up David perfectly:

“Mottisfont has been fortunate in its head gardener, David Stone, who has been in charge here since 1978. Mr Stone, a quietly correct man…”

 

and they go on, finishing with:

 

“Graham Thomas did us all a terrific favour by accumulating his living museum here. He could not have found a better custodian than Mr. Stone. His successor has a job on his hands, but what an opportunity among these velvet riches.”

 

Knowing David, I’m sure he is highly embarrassed by all of this flattery, but I also think it would be letting him off too lightly if I only pointed to the rose garden as his greatest achievement, the whole estate and the beauty of it throughout the year is down to David and his team. He’s a fabulous colleague, who has helped inform many of our important decisions, whether it’s about the history of Mottisfont or just by doing the right thing and encouraging us to do likewise.

David also has the best self-depreciating sense of humour in the National Trust. I don’t know if it is many years of practice, but he has had many a meeting in hysterics as he quietly takes himself down a peg or two in front of our eyes. The latest – and I will not do this story justice – was about a recent visitor who ambled up to him and asked if he was the new “Head Gardener.” Somewhat perplexed David enquired as to why, only for the person to proclaim: 

“Because I just wanted to congratulate you on the job you’re doing and improvements you’ve made….so much better than the last one!”

So, a very big “thank you” to David. The work of you and your team, has brought pleasure to hundreds of thousands of people for many years and will continue to do so for many more to come. We will miss you horribly, but I'm sure that you'll stay in touch…even if it’s only to say how much better it was in your day…but as our "new Head Gardener," I’m sure he can take some credit for all the recent improvements!

And now, over to Jonny Bass, the new Head Gardener at Mottisfont:

16th June 2014: Guardianship, Learning Group, Test restoration, new cafe and a Tudor arch..phew!

Another quiet week in the hurly burly world of the National Trust! 

It started with a visit from the Environment Agency to discuss a very important project about the restoration of the River Test. As this is one of only 6 chalk bed rivers the world, it's quite important that we look after it. The EA have a long-term plan and we are pleased to support that plan. It does need the support of the other landowners along the Test though and I sincerely hope that happens.

Next up was a review of our Kitchen Cafe plans, which all look very exciting. We should have a newly refitted cafe in the lower corridor of the house by the end of October. 

National Trust Guardianship donors came in on Thursday for a visit to our rose garden. It was lovely to host these supporters of the National Trust and our staff and volunteers did us proud by hosting them so well.

Straight afterwards was our Learning Group, who hosted a number of Head Teachers from Test Valley schools. I do hope that this project is successful and we can host school trips to Mottisfont. I can't think of a better place for the next generation of National Trust supporters to grow the "love of special places!" (I'm so biased!)

And finally, the Tudor Arch:

...discovered by our groundworks contractor who was laying the services pipe work by the West Porch of the house for the new visitor facility. Apparently, it might have been part of a walled garden. All fascinating and we await the full report with interest.

June 2014: Maud Russell's grandchildren - supporting their grandmother's "project"

Earlier this week we had the pleasure of meeting Laura Beresford, who is one of Maud Russell's grandchildren. Following the visit of Julian and Emily Russell to Mottisfont a couple of months ago, I went to Dorest with James Rothwell (our curator) and Kerry Bignell (our House Steward) to collect a number of artefacts that used to be in the house when Maud Russell was alive.

Laura met us at her mother's house near Blandford, which she was clearing out as it has now been sold. Photo albums and scrap books had all been laid out on the floor by Laura and we couldn't wait to start looking through them, as they revealed all sorts of wonderful insights into life at Mottisfont during Maud Russell's time:

Laura was absolutely brilliant at showing us the albums, scrap books, pictures, ornaments, furniture and books that used to be at Mottisfont:

This picture of Gilbert Russell is one of the items that will be offered on loan initially and we hope to be able to exhibit it in the house shortly:

Everything now needs to be recorded and processed and the furniture - including two sofas that used to be in the Morning Room - will need to be put into quarantine so that we do not introduce any contamination into the house.

We left Laura with a big job ahead of her to go through the rest of the house. And I must thank her for all of her help. There will be so much interest in these items from staff, volunteers and visitors alike. 

Emily is currently going through Maud's war diaries and we will be able to add these to the collection at some point. The National Trust is in dialogue with Emily about a possible book chronicling these diaries.