Today I had a trip to the spa town of Harrogate, situated to the west of York. Close to the centre of Harrogate are the Valley Gardens, which were created along the valley of a small stream.
Part of the gardens are a New Zealand garden, originally created in 1953, and restored and improved in 2010.
The link with Wellington, New Zealand and Harrogate in the UK developed after the Second World War, and was to honour 23 New Zealand airmen stationed in North Yorkshire during the war who lost their lives and were buried in Stonefall Cemetery.
In the 1950s there were exchanges of native planys between Harrogate and Wellington, and the New Zealand garden was created from the plants that Harrogate received.
This shot shows one of several wood carvings in the garden, carved in the Maori style. This one is part of the end of a bench.
Over the last few days we have heard sad reports about huge earthquakes in New Zealand. Our thoughts are with all those affected by these earthquakes.
Nice to see a little bit of NZ in your neck of the woods, I wonder if it is NZ native wood.. Yes we did have a bit of a shaking on Monday morning but we are well away from the epicentre but feel for the poor people of Wellington and top part of the South Island expecially Kaikoura which is cut off ..
Ian, I very much enjoy the 'trips' that you provide for us on 365. The extraordinary in every day places; the unusual just beyond the quick look. Your reportage is comprehensive, educational, considered and above all related with passionate interest. Today's Maori carving is no exception.
This morning I was with French friends for our regular weekly session to (ostensibly) speak English. One of their 4 sons lives in Blenheim, South Island where they are experiencing regular mild quakes. I have a nephew and his family in NZ too.
Richard and Margo, I'm not sure I deserve the praise that you have given me - I'm just curious about the world around me, wherever I happen to be (or as my mum would say, nosey!) As for the New Zealand garden, I'm amazed that I've never seen it on a previous visit. I may have had my eyes open yesterday, but not on previous visits!
Julia, not sure what the wood was used in this and the other carvings, but there were certainly lots of New Zealand plants and flowers in the garden around the sculptures.
Glad to hear you are well away from the earthquake, and once again my thoughts are with all those affected.
This morning I was with French friends for our regular weekly session to (ostensibly) speak English. One of their 4 sons lives in Blenheim, South Island where they are experiencing regular mild quakes. I have a nephew and his family in NZ too.
Thank you all for your comments and fav, which put this shot on the popular page.
It's a while since I last visited Harrogate, and it was pleasing to see how well thes gardens are looked after.
Ian
Richard and Margo, I'm not sure I deserve the praise that you have given me - I'm just curious about the world around me, wherever I happen to be (or as my mum would say, nosey!) As for the New Zealand garden, I'm amazed that I've never seen it on a previous visit. I may have had my eyes open yesterday, but not on previous visits!
Ian
Julia, not sure what the wood was used in this and the other carvings, but there were certainly lots of New Zealand plants and flowers in the garden around the sculptures.
Glad to hear you are well away from the earthquake, and once again my thoughts are with all those affected.
Ian
A lovely tribute to those brave man.
Thank you both for your comments!
Ian
It was certainly a bit of a surprise to find it! Thank you for your comment.
Ian