During the August Bank Holiday weekend, Gardening Group members didn’t have to travel far for their latest group visit to a truly extra-ordinary and beautiful garden in Pershore Grove, Ainsdale. Created by its owner, Mr. Francis Proctor, over the last 30 years, the garden features bridges, a romantic ruin, manmade caves reached by stone steps, rock pools, a magnificent waterfall, many interesting artefacts, and reclaimed materials.
These include the original foundation stone from the old Southport Infirmary on Scarisbrick Road, the date of which originally coincided with Frances’s father’s birthdate. When Francis, finally completed his garden in 2023, he dedicated it to the memory of his wife, Barbara, who was so supportive in helping him bring his dream garden to reality. He also celebrated all his hard work with a grand opening by Lady Dodd of Knotty Ash. in April of this year, Francis’s Garden was also featured on the Channel 4 TV programme ‘George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces’!
Our group thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon; and a visit to this fascinating garden at Pershore Grove which we visited under the National Gardens Scheme, for charity, is definitely recommended.
