Judith Clarke

Everybody dreams of what they want to do with their life. Sometimes those dreams are realised early in life, sometimes a little later. Circumstances, to a large extent, dictate the timescale.

Judith's childhood was spent in the small Broadland village of Dilham. Her father was the local butcher and their garden was designed to produce the fruit, vegetables and flowers so typical of the early 20th century. Her mother, Nora Page, was a keen gardener but father Jack was not. They enlisted the help of the chap next door by the name of Beau Grimes. He had survived the first world war and spent a life close to the land and the sea.

It was from him that Judith learnt much. Maybe the love of gardening was helped by the amazing taste of fresh fruit and vegetables which she found so much nicer than other foods.

Early retirement from teaching in 2002 coincided with The Old Cottage garden being redeveloped and enlarged. Judith has passed The Royal Horticultural Society Advanced Certificate in Horticulture. Enchantinggardens.co.uk are now able to offer a design and landscaping service which includes sourcing of plants wherever necessary.

The Old Cottage Garden is an ideal environment to put her practical and theoretical skills to good use. Her icons are Beth Chatto and Christopher Lloyd, but she has her own style and the Old Cottage Garden reflects this. Lack of daylight and buffeting winds are not a problem. She loves her garden and delights in talking to people about gardening any time, night or day!