Sundial 18 Dedicated gardener

I noticed a lawn rake lying against this sundial while visiting a fascinating garden that has been rescued from dereliction during the last couple of years.    The walled garden was overgrown for over 40 years but now has a wonderful collection of vegetables, fruit, flowers, shrubs and trees all planted by one man.   100 years ago there were 15 paid gardeners and now there is just the one volunteer who is doing it just for the love of it.   He said that he has kept the original plan of the central herbaceous borders with the sundial at the heart but otherwise is designing various mini gardens as he goes along with no fixed plans and just letting it evolve.  

I had no idea that there was a sundial there so was delighted to find it but unfortunately it needs some renovation.    It is a large armillary sphere with roman numerals just visible and the arrow head of the gnomon is broken off but is lying beside it.  In spite of my research I have been unable to find anything about it but suspect it must be at least 200 years old.   The garden rake was resting on the sundial so I left it as a reminder of the dedication of the volunteer gardener who obviously devotes all his spare time to bringing the old garden back to life.   A labour of love and a marvellous achievement in only just over two years.

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