I wrote a series of four articles about the lives and work of the Pulhams for Hertfordshire Countryside in 2004, which aroused some considerable interest. So much so, in fact, that I received many emails, letters and phone calls from readers providing me with clues and additional information about the topics raised that I had to write a fifth chapter to bring everything up to date.
Chapter 1 told the story of James 1 and Obadiah Pulham, and the early years of James 2 and his Manufactory in Broxbourne were discussed in Chapter 2, but they are not included here as these subjects are covered in greater details in Pulham Rock Gardens. This series consequently begins at Chapter 3.
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March 2004 – Part 3 ‘3 – Some Early Pulham Gardens’ This section discusses some of the ferneries and rock gardens constructed in Hertfordshire during the early years of James Pulham and Son – i.e., between the 1850s and ‘80s. |
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April 2004 – Part 4 ‘4 – Into the 20th Century’ The economic situation and wars of the early 20th century resulted in the number of James Pulham and Son’s major landscaping projects becoming fewer and further between, and styles and fashions were also changing. By this time, the third and fourth generations were in charge of the family business, and James 4 had to oversee its decline, and eventual failure at the beginning of the 1939-45 War. This Section features two of their last major projects – at Aldenham House, Elstree, and at ‘The Node,’ near Welwyn. An updated Chapter about ‘The Node’ is included in Pulham Rock Gardens. |
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May 2004 – Part 5 ‘5 – Some Rediscovered Treasures’ I received a number of extremely interesting phone calls and emails following this series of articles, as a result of which a previously unknown Pulham landscape has been rediscovered in Carpenders Park, near Watford. I have also been able to trace the names and whereabouts of some historic Pulham vases, and of the ornate fountain that once graced the entrance to the Horticultural Exhibition at Kew Gardens in 1862! |
