May is one of my favourite times of the year when spring has nearly completed its magical transformation of our wonderful countryside. In Knutsford, a village near Macclesfield a Mayday festival is normally held on the first Saturday in May. You can enjoy all the fun of the fair and watch parades and Morris dancing. Wonderful picnics can also be had in nearby TattonPark whilst watching various displays taking place.
Then there is the village of Wray situated just outside Lancaster that holds its scarecrow festival, which lasts all week during the early part of May and is well worth a visit.
But one of my favourite places to visit at this time of the year is ChatsworthPark in Derbyshire, famous for its arboretum, extravagantly filled glasshouses and the Emperor Fountain which plays more than 200 feet into the air. It was an unusual friendship between a man and his gardener that resulted in the creation of one of our greatest and most beautiful gardens at ChatsworthPark. Joseph Paxton was born in 1801 to very poor parents, but it was evident that he had exceptional talents. Whilst working at the Horticultural Society’s experimental garden at Chiswick, he met the 6th Duke of Devonshire who recognising Paxton’s ability, offered to make him the head gardener at Chatsworth. A cottage went with the job, which was fortunate for soon after his arrival he fell in love and married.
For over 30 years Paxton lived at Chatsworth working on the estate, and although he was once offered the job of head gardener at WindsorCastle for a salary of £1000, he declined it. He was the duke’s adviser and constant companion. “To me he was a friend, if ever a man had one,” wrote the Duke. When the Duke died, Paxton retired from Chatsworth. He too, died soon afterwards, after doing what he loved most – attending a flower show. Even in death the two friends remained close, for they are buried in the same churchyard at Edensor near Chatsworth where they had been together for so much of their lives.
This story demonstrates that through their friendship a legacy has been left that has enriched the lives of so many that have experienced the beauty of Chatsworth.
I’m sure you will be heartened by this tale about Ian, a philosophical friend who had endured a recent tragedy. One afternoon we had a quiet talk, while enjoying the sunshine in his garden, which is his pride and joy
“Yes, Roy, that was a pretty sticky time in my life, but it is over now and I have put it behind me. I think that one of the things, which really helped to keep me going during those dark days was the knowledge that all my friends were willing and anxious to be supportive and helpful.”
I nodded, I was remembering the words of Epicurus, The philosopher who lived in Athens in 300 BC: “It’s not so much our friends help that helps us, as the confident knowledge that they will help us.”
