Enid Blyton's Gardener

[Laurence Green]

I was born in Bourne End in 1950. My mother, Alison Green, (1920 - 2009) worked for about a year as under gardener at Old Thatch in 1939 just after finishing her course at Studley Horticultural College. Her job was to help prepare the garden of Old Thatch so that the house could be sold. She was aware of Hugh's drinking problem and found him to be sometimes quite charming other times rather grumpy. She remembers Enid Blyton as very pleasant and full of ideas and instructions regarding the work in the garden.
When the house was sold to Andor and Irma Krazna-Kraus, proprietors of the Focal Press in London, my mother stayed on for years as head gardener. Laurence Green, Ashprington, Totnes, Devon.

[Tony Summerfield]

That is a very interesting post, Laurence. I think that many people do not realise that when the family moved from Old Thatch to Green Hedges, they had not managed to sell it, and they were therefore responsible still for the upkeep for a considerable time after they had left. I know that Hugh used to visit it regularly and I think that Dick Hughes, the gardener, has said in interview that he stayed on at Old Thatch after the Pollock family had left. I had no idea that he had help from an under gardener so your mother fills yet another piece in the Jigsaw.

[Lucky Star]

That is very interesting Laurence and, as Tony says, another piece of the jigsaw is revealed. Many thanks for posting the information here.

[Eddie Muir]

Thank you for a most interesting post, Laurence.

[Katharine]

Thanks for sharing that with us Laurence. Most interesting.

[Julie2owlsdene]

Thanks for the information. It's always nice to fill in the gaps and learn more about Enid and the people that surrounded her life too.

I don't suppose you have any photos of the gardens back then, or of Enid as she popped in and out have you, Laurence?

[Soenke Rahn]

Huiiiiiii, nice and interesting to read.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Thanks, Laurence. That's very interesting.

[Poppy]

Thanks very much for sharing your mothers experiences at Old Thatch, Laurence! Fascinating.

[Carlotta King]

How interesting, Laurence! I really enjoyed reading your post. It's lovely to hear personal accounts like that.
I'm sure we'd all love to hear more!

Thanks for sharing with us!

[Moonraker]

Yes, thank you for that, and I am sure we'd love to hear more anecdotes should you have any!

[Nair Snehalatha]

Hi Laurence--I loved your post,as I really love to learn more about my beloved author--Enid Blyton.

[Nair Snehalatha]

Laurence's mentioning that his mother had been head gardener reminds me of ''The Mystery Of The Strange Messages ''where Mr.Grimble the old gardener tells the Find Outers how he had once been head gardener of ''The Ivies''Please come up with more news .I would love to hear lots more about dear Blyton.

[Ming]

A very interesting post, Laurence. Like Julie, I too would love to see photos of the gardens if you do have any.

Nair, try reading Enid Blyton's Biography by Barbara Stoney. You will learn a lot of things.

[Nair Snehalatha]

Ming--yes I have got Enid Blyton's biography by Barbara Stoney.and I have read it twice..Must read quite often to let it all sink in.Anyway--thanks for suggesting.