The Flower Power of the CWGC

This week saw the launch of the CWGC Gardening Then & Now campaign, highlighting the horticultural history of the CWGC and some of the remarkable personal stories of their gardeners, both past and present. The CWGC has become synonymous with beautiful floral displays and impeccably maintained lawns and though each of their 2,500 or so … Continue reading The Flower Power of the CWGC →

The King’s Pilgrimage

I'm off to Flanders next weekend for a night away with a good friend and am currently day dreaming about watching dawn break at the Menin Gate and night fall in the Silent Cities. These pilgrimages have become more and more important to me over the years and I'm reminded of a poem by one … Continue reading The King’s Pilgrimage →

Decorated Warriors

In 1917 behind Waterloo Station in London, George Burchett was doing a roaring trade. He had been practising his craft since he was a small child, reportedly expelled from school at the age of 12 as a result. At the turn of the century, he began working in the East End of town. The docklands … Continue reading Decorated Warriors →

The Forgotten

When we think about remembrance and The Great War, our thoughts naturally turn to the men who rest in the Silent Cities of the Old Front Line. And of course so they should, but it is also important that we think about the wider impact of the conflict and those men who I feel are … Continue reading The Forgotten →

But ne’er shall we forget, my boys… in Sussex by the sea.

The High Weald in East Sussex is an area of outstanding natural beauty which extends across Sussex, Surrey and Kent. It is a patchwork of ancient woodlands, farmland, sunken lanes and historic villages that spans the undulating landscape of the South East of England. I know many of these villages well, as it is where … Continue reading But ne’er shall we forget, my boys… in Sussex by the sea. →

‘Do your duty and a little more and the future will take care of itself’

I have always felt a sense of comfort and inner peace when wandering The Great War battlefields. Usually, people don't quite know how to respond to this when I try to explain my interest, and I receive comments fair regularly about how morbid I am, that I should 'get a more uplifting hobby' and other … Continue reading ‘Do your duty and a little more and the future will take care of itself’ →

Italy decides…

I'm currently reading 1915 by Lyn Macdonald and shared a small passage about Italians leaving London when Italy joined the war with an Italian colleague of mine, as the stereotyping made me chuckle (he assures me all the wildly emotional Italian stereotypes are indeed true). When we think of 1915 we may think of the … Continue reading Italy decides… →

‘Why are you here with all your watches ended?’

I went to see Peter Jackson's new film 'They Shall Not Grow Old' last night. It was absolutely incredible. The footage and sound were phenomenal and it was so powerful to see the men brought back to life. It was powerful because it injected life into the old footage that we often see and with … Continue reading ‘Why are you here with all your watches ended?’ →

‘I watch a man go out of his mind, And he is My Mother’s Son’

I'm lucky enough to live in the middle of the Sussex High Weald next to the historic village of Burwash. The village is probably most famous for being home to Rudyard Kipling for much of his life. His glorious house, Batemans, is somewhere I go often. It's a beautiful place with stunning gardens and acres … Continue reading ‘I watch a man go out of his mind, And he is My Mother’s Son’ →