Posted by vikki rimmer on 5/27/2005, 9:56 am It was whilst he was held captive in the jungle that Tom came up with the idea to create his 'World Map of Plants' at his ancestral home of Lullingstone Castle Kent. One night, six months into his capture ordeal, he was told that he should prepare to die the very next day. Tom's fellow kidnappee - Paul Winder - spent the night in prayer, but Tom decided that the best course of action would be to spend his final night on Earth designing his dream garden! He spent the night drawing plans in his diary. Luckily for Tom, Paul and their families, the boys were not executed, but were released in time for Christmas 2000. Following his release, two television documentaries were screened nationally - covering his jungle captivity and horticultural exploits. Tom penned the best selling book ‘The Cloud Garden’ with fellow kidnappee Paul Winder telling of his exploits at the hands of the Guerrillas. While writing his book he came across his jungle diary and found the plans he'd drawn that fateful night. The delirious plans he'd made to create a World Garden of Plants, laid out in the shape of the map of the globe, fired his imagination and enthusiasm. Tom set about persuading his family to let him build the 'World' in their back garden at the Castle (Tom is the 20th generation of his family to live at the famous Castle - and actually shares the Tudor Gatehouse with his Gran). They agreed to let the man, locally known as 'the Plant Nut', commandeer the 18th Century Walled Garden, within the grounds of the Castle, for his project to take visitors around the world in 80 minutes! As a keen globe hopping plant hunter he wanted to show just how many plants - now commonly grown within British gardens – do in fact originate from other parts of the world and – at the same time – acknowledge the enormous debt which 21st century British gardeners owe to the great plant hunters of the last 250 years, who risked captivity and life and limb bringing these plants back to our shores. Indeed, Tom himself, feels a great affinity with the old explorers as he too risked life and limb in the course of his transworld horticultural adventure. The Big World Garden party will be held on Saturday 16th July within the 18th Century walled garden. Tom's Gran Mary will be the one to cut the red ribbon on the day as Tom says; 'she was the one who introduced me to gardening aged 3 - with a trowel and a packet of carrot seeds - some would say I should ask Prince Charles or a big name to open the garden, but it's my family who have supported me and have never given up on me - even when I was missing and the British Embassy said there was only a 5% chance I was alive'. Local media - television news, radio and print media will all be at the event, along with the BBC crew who are filming the 12 part story of Tom's Garden entitled; 'Saving Lullingstone'. The Kent media have been hugely supportive and have followed the story with interest - Tom's Garden has amassed literally hundreds of column inches and hours of broadcasting time. We'd like to invite you to share in our publicity and to establish a relationship with the Castle and Tom by participating in the planning and execution of the event. We'd like to make the 16th July the best Garden Party Kent's seen in a long time. If you’d like to donate some of your Kent produce to help make the Garden Party, in the Garden of England, a great kent day to remember, please contact: vikkirimmer@onetel.com
84.43.95.224
The World Garden Party
Tom Hart Dyke's World Garden of Plants, Lullingstone Castle Kent,
We need a cake in the shape of a world map - some soft drink and some wine and nibbles! Can you help?
We'd like to invite Producers to join in and help us on July 16th this year at Lullingstone Castle in Kent where the BBC will be on site to film Tom Hart Dyke and his supporters as he holds the big 'World Garden Party'. The BBC cameras have filmed Tom 's every move over the past year for their 12 part BBC2 series titled 'Saving Lullingstone' - the story of Tom's project to build the 'World Garden of Plants' at his ancestral home 'Lullingstone Castle' in Kent.
Tom shot to international prominence in 2000, when on a plant hunting expedition searching for orchids in Central America, he was kidnapped, threatened with execution and held hostage in the jungle by gun-toting Colombian guerrillas for nine months.
Since last September Tom has been working around the clock to complete the first stage of the World Garden in time for an Easter opening. The groundwork for the garden is now completed. Visitors to the Garden enter through the 18th century moon gate, and traverse the pathways (or seas) and can literally walk around the ‘whole world'. Tom is spending the Spring planting out more than 7,000 different species from all corners of the globe – many of these plants collected by Tom himself.
Vikki Rimmer
15 Old Mill Close
Eynsford
Nr Dartford
Kent
DA4 0BN
01322 866293 07832331448
Message Thread:
« Back to thread