Tag: Claude Hitching

1867 – Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex

People and Places Discussed and Pictured in Chapter 7 of: Continue reading “1867 – Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex” →

1847-62 – Highnam Court, Gloucestershire

People and Places Discussed and Pictured in Chapter 4 of Continue reading “1847-62 – Highnam Court, Gloucestershire” →

The Broxbourne Manufactory

People and Places Discussed and Pictured in Chapter 3 of: Continue reading “The Broxbourne Manufactory” →

1845-55 – The Second Generation (Part 2)

People and Places Discussed and Pictured In Chapter 2 of: Continue reading “1845-55 – The Second Generation (Part 2)” →

1828-45 – The Second Generation (Part 1)

People and Places Discussed and Pictured in Chapter 2 of: more

People and Places Featured in . . .

The purpose of this Section is to list all the principal people and locations featured in . . .

‘Rock Landscapes: The Pulham Legacy’

. . . the definitive story of James Pulham and Son, the eminent landscape artists of Victorian and Edwardian England.   Continue reading “People and Places Featured in . . .” →

May 2014 – News Letter (Updated September)

Dear All,

Forthcoming Presentations in Hertfordshire

This is my first News Letter for some time, but that does not mean that I have been sitting around doing nothing!   In fact, quite a lot has been going on, but this must stay behind the scenes for the moment, and I hope to be able to make some important and interesting announcements sometime soon.   In the meantime, Valerie Christman and I have three more Presentations booked in Hertfordshire over the next few months, and we look forward to seeing as many of our friends and ‘followers’ there as possible. Continue reading “May 2014 – News Letter (Updated September)” →

November 2013 – News Letter

  • ‘PL1’ – Your Key to A Very Special Christmas Offer
  • A Most Interesting Approach from NADFAS
  • We Mark the Passing of a Truly Remarkable Lady
  • The ‘Pulhams of Broxbourne’ Presentations go to Wales
  • ‘PL1’ – A Final Reminder . . . Continue reading “November 2013 – News Letter” →

September 2013 – News Letter

Dear All,

Danesfield House Book Signing

Tuesday, 13th August,  was an interesting day at Danesfield House, Marlow-on-Thames.   Their wonderful Pulham gardens were open to the public for the last of their four NGS Open Days, and I went along with Val Christman for a book signing session in the afternoon. Continue reading “September 2013 – News Letter” →

The Rock Garden

130900 - Scottish Rock Garden Cover 600 x 850Rock Landscapes: The Pulham Legacy

Claude Hitching, with photography by Jenny Lilly

300 pages, many colour and black & white photographs
ISBN 978-1-87067-376-1 – Antique Collectors’ Club Ltd £35

This lavishly produced book is the result of Claude Hitching’s researching the work of hrs great-grandfather, William Hitching; William’s brother, George, and William’s three sons – Arthur, Frederick and John – who all worked as ’rock builders’ for the firm of James Pulham & Son, the eminent Victorian and Edwardian landscape gardeners. Continue reading “The Rock Garden” →

The Local Historian – May 2013

Rock Landscapes: The Pulham Legacy

 Rock Gardens, Grottoes, Ferneries, Follies, Fountains and Garden Ornaments.  Claude Hitching, with photography by Jenny Lilly   (Garden Art Press 2012 – 320pp – ISBN 978-1-87067-376-1)  £35

_______________________________

130500 - Local Historian Cover 500 x 700 This excessively illustrated book (there are 450 colour and 340 black and white photographs) is the culmination of over ten years of research, inspired by the author’s family connections with the Pulhams and their remarkable creations in artificial and natural rockwork.   When he retired, Claude Hitching, originally a Management Accountant, started to research his own family, beginning with his grandfather, Frederick Hitching.   Continue reading “The Local Historian – May 2013” →

The Pulham Legacy in London

James Pulham and Son, the eminent firm of Victorian and Edwardian landscape artists, are mostly remembered today for their picturesque rock gardens, ferneries, follies and grottoes with which they embellished many of the great country estates and parks around the country, but, as garden fashions evolved around the turn of the 20th Century, they also extended their portfolio to include grand, balustraded terraces, and formal Italian and Japanese-styled gardens.   They supplemented this by manufacturing a wide range of very high-quality garden ornaments, such as fountains, vases, urns, seats and balustrading etc in their Manufactory in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire.   Continue reading “The Pulham Legacy in London” →

Trafodion – Welsh HGT – November 2012

Rock Landscapes: The Pulham Legacy

Rock Gardens, Grottoes, Ferneries, Follies, Fountains and Garden Ornaments

Claude Hirching, with photography by Jenny Lilly

Garden Arr Press, 2012, £35, (£28 if ordered online from wwwanriquecollecrorsclub.com/ uk), 320pp, ISBN 978-1-870673-76-l

 Claude Hitching°s article ‘James Pulham in \Wales’ which appeared in the first issue of Trafodion, anticipated the publication of this ‘big book’, large in format and lavishly illustrated.   The author’s interest in the Pulhams sprang from his researches into his own family history, and the discovery that his grandfather, Frederick Hitching, had worked for the Pulham family firm for over half a century.   The present publication is the culmination of decades of intensive, patient and evidently enjoyable research by Claude Hitching, and is both an impressive ‘business history’ and an appropriate tribute to his grandfather. Continue reading “Trafodion – Welsh HGT – November 2012” →

Garden History Journal – Autumn 2012

Review by Brent Elliott of

Rock Landscapes: The Pulham Legacy

in the Garden History Journal – Winter 2012 (pp.308-310)

 Claude Hitching, Rock Landscapes: The Pulham Legacy (Woodbridge: Garden Art Press, 2012), 320 pp., illus. in colour and black-and-white, £35.00 (hbk). ISBN 9-781870-673761 Continue reading “Garden History Journal – Autumn 2012” →

News Updates

The Pulham Website Newsletters

In an attempt to keep our readers and visitors up-to-date with everything that is happening in the ‘World of Pulham’, we have decided to produce occasional News Updates that can be accessed from this page.   Just click on the dates to go to the complete Newsletter selected.

March ’18
  • A coveted award from The Gardens Trust
  • Welcome to ‘pulham.rocks’ – a new name for The Pulham Legacy website
  • Coming Soon – ‘The Pulhams of Broxbourne’ DVD
  • St Albans Court, Nonington, and Thornby Hall, Northamptonshire – two newly rediscovered Pulham gardens
  • Leonardslee Gardens to reopen to the public this year
  • Lever Park, Rivington – Restoration update
  • Your R V Lifestyle – ‘100 Things to do in the U K’
  • The Rectory, Wallington, Hertfordshire – a link with the Hitching family?

Click Date on left for Details

November ’17
  • The final ‘Pulhams of Broxbourne’ presentation – for the ‘Worth Park Friends’ at Worth Park, Crawley.
  • News of two newly-discovered Pulham sites – Nymans and Bournemouth Gardens
  • A Linked Series of Coincidences involving Silver Cups and a Pulham Family Bible and Photograph Album.
  • An update on the Gardens at Dyffryn, South Wales
  • A new website launched by The Friends of Danesbury Fernery
  • Looking for a book to buy for all your friends and family – or even yourself – for Christmas? . . .

(Click Date on left for Details)

August ’17
  • Heading for my final ‘Pulhams of Broxbourne’ presentation before I hand over the reins to Val. (See below)
  • A Pulham fountain is discovered in Rhode Island, New Jersey
  • Probable Pulham garden features are discovered in Dyffryn Gardens and Dumbleton Hall
  • Previously unreported Pulham gardens are discussed for the first time at Chateau Impney. Rosherville Gardens and Headley Park.
  • Pulham gardens at Sunningdale Park, Bearwood College, Leonardslee and Bawdsey Manor pass into new hands.
  • A Pulham Rockwork Trail has been set up at Waddesdon Manor.
  • Great News at Lowewood, but discouraging news at Ewell Court House.

(Click Date on left for Details)

June ’17

• A previously unrecognised and unrecorded Pulham rock garden in West Sussex
• Completed and newly-commissioned restoration projects part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund
• Archive pictures of the Villa Ste Ursule, in Cannes, France – Obadiah’s first assignment for Thomas Smith
• Pictures of some (non-Pulham) rockscapes around the French Riviera
• Examples of work done by one of Pulham’s most gifted stone modelers
• The restoration of a Pulham fountain in the Isle of Wight
• A Silver Award for Val Christman and her team for their garden at the Chelsea Show

(Click Date on left for Details)

March ’17

(The Pulham Memorial Letter)
  • Report on the Special Pulham Memorial Event, including the Opening of the Memorial Site and Garden, and the Launch of the ‘Romance in Stone’ Exhibition at Lowewood Museum, that runs until 29th April 2017
  • Interactive Video Tours of five of the Pulhams’ most prestigious gardens
  • Recording of the BBC’s Three Counties Radio interview about the Exhibition and the Pulham Story
  • Report on the Pulham Conference on 9th March
    • (Click Date on left for Details)

Christmas ’16
  • Latest Update and Programme for the Special Pulham Memorial Exhibition, 14th January – 29th April 2017
  • Two Video Clips
  • Is there Pulhamite in Francem and Have we Found one of Pulham’s First Terracotta Pieces?
  • Two Pulham ‘Paris Vases’ find a New Home
  • Updates from two ‘Pulham Castles’
  • How the Heritage Lottery Fund has helped two of Pulham’s Parks
  • Val has the Last Word in Video Interview.
    • (Click Date on left for Details)

November’16
  • Update on the new Pulhams Memorial Project at Broxbourne
  • How About a Pulham Convention on 9th March 2017?
  • A Special Interest Day at Waddesdon Manor
  • A ‘New’ Pulham Site at The Newgate Gap, Margate, Kent
  • ‘Rock Landscapes’ Gets onto a Book Club List
  • 2016 Presentation Diary Ends on a High Note
  • Does Your Local Park Need a ‘Friend’?
    • (Click Date on left for Details)

July’16
    • The new Pulhams of Broxbourne Memorial Project
    • A Trip to End All Trips
    • The Pulhams of Broxbourne’ Presentations
    • www.pulham.org.uk Gets a Facelift and Makeover
    • Discovery, Recognition and Restoration – A review of five sites and restoration projects
(Click Date on left for Details)

May ’16
  • Reports on Latest ‘Pulhams of Broxbourne’ Presentations
  • Another Great Day in Woodbridge
  • ‘Site of the Month’ Reaches its final Chapter
  • The Pulham Picture Puzzles
(Click Date on left for Details)

March ’16
  • An Exciting New Discovery in S E London 
  • A Wonderful Picture of the Pulham Family
  • The Heritage Lottery Fund Steps in Again
  • ‘Smash Hit’ Results in a Return Booking for ‘The Pulhams of Broxbourne’
  • The Pulham Picture Puzzles
(Click Date on left for Details)

Christmas ’15
  • The Pulham Picture Puzzle
  • A Fascinating Day in Woodbridge
  • Two more Special Dates for the Presentation Diary
  • A Special ‘Site of the Month’ for January
(Click Date on left for Details)

November ’15
  • The Special Pulham Study Day at The Swiss Garden
  • Presentation to the Welwyn Garden City U3A Gardening Group
  • ‘Rock Landscapes: The Pulham Legacy’ – A Special Gift for Christmas
  • A Fascinating Day in Woodbridge
(Click Date on left for Details)

September ’15
  • A Special Pulham Study Day at The Swiss Garden
  • Major Pulham Restorations at Worth Park, Crawley
  • ‘Buy TheBook’ Page Updated
  • ‘PL1’ – Your Key to a Very Special Offer
(Click Date on left for Details)

April ’15
  • ‘The Pulhams of Broxbourne’ Presentations
  • A Special ‘Pulham Study Day’ at The Swiss Garden
  • Dewstow – One of Alan’s ‘Best Back Gardens’
  • ‘Sites of the Month’ since May ’14
  • ‘PL1’ – Your Key to a Very Special Offer
(Click Date on left for Details)

November ’14
  • ‘The Pulhams of Broxbourne’ Presentations
  • Rediscovery, Restoration and Preservation
  • More Pages on the Pulham Legacy Website
  • ‘PL1’ – Your Key to a Very Special Offer
(Click Date on left for Details)

July ’14
  • Pulham Garden Crafts Ltd Triumph at Chelsea
  • The Pulhams of Broxbourne’ Presentations
  • ‘PL1’ – Your Key to a Very Special Offer
(Click Date on left for Details)

May ’14
  • Forthcoming Presentations in Hertfordshire
  • ‘Site of the Month’ Updates
  • ‘PL1’ – Your Key to a Very Special Offer
(Click Date on left for Details)

November ‘13
  • ‘PL1’ – Your Key to A Very Special Christmas Offer
  • A Most Interesting Approach from NADFAS
  • We Mark the Passing of a Truly Remarkable Lady
  • The ‘Pulhams of Broxbourne’ Presentations go to Wales
         (Click Date on left for Details)

September ‘13
  • Danesfield House Book Signing on 13th August
  • What’s new on www.pulham.org.uk
  • Getting ready for Wales.
(Click Date on left for Details)

August ‘13
Part of the NGS Open Day Celebrations at

Danesfield House,

Henley-on-Thames
will be a Book Signing of

Rock Landscapes: The Pulham Legacy

by Claude Hitching

between 2.30 – 4.30 p.m.
(Click Date on left for Details)

June ‘13

A Miscellany of Trips

  • Rediscovery of a New Pulham Site
  • An Accidental Trip on a Trip to London
  • A ‘Pulhamite Celebration’ at Bawdsey Manor
  • A Presentation and Tour at Shipton Court
  • Dewstow on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live

April ‘13
  • Dates for the Diary – Presentation Bookings
  • ‘Pulhams of Broxbourne’ Exhibition
  • The www.pulham.org.uk Site Map

January ‘13
  • The ‘Pulhams of Broxbourne’ Exhibition Rolls On
  • Dates for the Diary – Presentation Bookings
  • American Guests Enjoy Their Day in Hoddesdon and Broxbourne
  • Heritage Lottery Grants for Pulham Sites

December ’12
  • Four Prestigious Book Reviews
  • Pulhamite Featured on Channel 4 tv
  • New Pulham Garden Discovered
  • New Silver Cup Discovered
  • Original Prize Pulham Vases Discovered
  • Report on the ‘Pulhams of Broxbourne’ Exhibition at Lowewood Museum, Hoddesdon
  • St Katherine’s, Parmoor, Frieth – Report on Presentation on 8th November
  • Site of the Month Website Feature
  • Take the Advice of the Experts

Notice Board, Links and Ordering Instructions

Button - News Flash

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MAJOR WEBSITE UPDATE

Publication of Original Pulham Documents

  • Click on the ‘Archive’ Button to link to .pdf copies of Publications, Catalogues, Reports, Letters and Diaries etc relating to the lives and work of James Pulham and Son.   They include:
    • The Lockwood Reminisces
    • Working with Thomas Smith
    • Picturesque Ferneries and Rock Garden Scenery’ by James 2
    • The Fred Rickett Diaries
    • Garden Ornament Catalogue
    • .  .  .  and more .  .  .
  • Click on ‘Book Shop’ for a more direct and efficient way to order and qualify for your 40% discount per copy of ‘Rock Landscapes: The Pulham Legacy’

Keep up-to-date with all the latest Pulham News.   Click the News Desk Button to access the Pulham News Letters Archive
Button - Gazetteer Direct Links to more than 100 illustrated articles written by Claude Hitching on gardens, parks and features created by James Pulham and Son.
Button - Picture Puzzles Complete a Jigsaw, and create a beautiful picture of a genuine Pulham garden scene.
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 Click Cover Image for Details of Contents etc, and What Has Happened since its Publication
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Check out the principal People and Places – plus a few selected photographs – featured in each Chapter of ‘Rock Landscapes’
Cover Montage

Read the Professional Reviews

Click image to read all the glowing Media Reviews that have so far been published about the book.

 Click here to read the Pre-Endorsements for this Research Project into the lives and work of James Pulham and Son.