After visiting a Pulham site, Claude took every care he could to ensure that his notes were accurate, and always submitted them for approval – and correction, if necessary – by the person who hosted his visit. Some of the responses he got are reproduced on this page, together with a brief extract from the Foreword kindly contributed by Mavis Batey. Two people who have read the complete draft are:
- Neil Robbins - the Heritage and Education Officer of the Borough of Broxbourne, and Curator of the Lowewood Museum who inspired and encouraged Claude to undertake his research, and
- Wendy Blake, a Local Historian at Woodbridge, Suffolk, where the story really starts. Wendy was very helpful to Claude during his initial investigations around the town.
Their comments are included here.
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- Mavis Batey, Vice-President and Former President of the Garden History Society
Brief extract from Mavis Batey’s Foreword to this book:
Claude Hitching must be congratulated for a book that gives the Pulhams a place in garden history. He takes us on a journey through a remarkable number of gardens they created in Victorian and Edwardian England, beautifully illustrated every step of the way. The story involves four generations of the Pulham family – all of them named James – who adapted their special inherited art of stone modelling to the many gardening fashions through which they lived, from picturesque rock gardens to formal, Italianate, Japanese and Edwardian ‘gardencraft’.
Where natural stone was not readily available, they coated heaps of rubble with cement, and modelled the surface to simulate the texture and colour of natural stone – this proprietary material becoming known as Pulhamite. The craftsmen who did this work were known as ‘rock builders’, and Claude’s dedication to this story springs from the fact that no fewer than five of his ancestors worked for the Pulham firm in that capacity.
The second James Pulham also set up his own Manufactory in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, in which he produced an extensive range of ornamental garden ware including urns, vases, balustrades, sundials and fountains in terra cotta – and sometimes also in Pulhamite. He exhibited selections of his wares at the Great Exhibition of 1851 – Prince Albert’s rallying point for the Victorian age, uniting ‘industry and art’.
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Reviews of the Complete Provisional Draft
‘I have now finished reading your book . . . I found it a wonderful read – both informative and pleasurable. You really did take the reader on a journey – Crumbs, you got around! . . . a wonderful book . . . that we must get into publication.’
Neil Robbins, the Heritage and Education Officer of the Borough of Broxbourne, and Curator of the Lowewood Museum
‘I am so enjoying your book, and am amazed at all the research you have done. They (the Pulhams) were truly an extraordinary family, and I don’t think Woodbridge does them credit. When I can bear to part with the book , I will put it in the Museum for reference!’
Wendy Blake, Woodbridge Local Historian
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Individual Site Notes
’We have just read your original (draft notes) and love it. It is just as though you were here with us, talking us around the House and grounds. . . We already have had an enquiry about your visit from our Residents’ Association, and the Editor of the Association’s quarterly booklet would like to carry a large article on your findings – perhaps we can pass your notes on when the time is right. I would also like to let our local reporter (for the local paper) have it too – it just tells the tale so beautifully. We are both so impressed. Thank you!’
Cathy Scott, Secretary of the Ewell Court House Organisation
