FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New year lecture covers garden follies
Winter 2007/8
Shown from the left: the Schwetzingen mount to Apollo’s Temple in Germany; Chiswick Philosophers’ Lawn, West London; and garden specialist lecturer Caroline Holmes.
BROADCASTER and writer Caroline Holmes drew an audience of around 90 people when she returned to Cannizaro on Sunday, 27th January 2008 to speak on Garden Follies of Europe. It was her third talk to the Friends at Cannizaro House. In 2002 and 2003 respectively she had lectured on Italianate Gardens and nine gardens within 30 miles of Wimbledon.
Currently designing gardens, Caroline has been recording five programmes on climate change for BBC Radio 4. Her talk was specifically linked to her latest book, “Follies of Europe - Architectural Extravaganzas”, due out in March.
She asked: “What is a folly? A place for intellectual gymnastics where money is no object? Cryptic, fantastical, allegorical, innovative, romantic, modernist – is it lunacy or visionary?”
Her talk - which brought some £150 profit for the Friends of Cannizaro Park - was illustrated with imagery of garden follies in England, Germany and France. And the link with Cannizaro? Think of the Belvedere near the Retreat. Our very own folly. Lunacy or visionary, do you think?