On the way back from a great stay at Torre Cider Farm last summer, we stopped off at East Lambrook to visit the gardens of the manor.
The manor gardens were the project of Margery Townshend. She had had a career in Fleet Street working for two editors of the Daily Mail, Lord Northcliffe and later Walter Fish. After years of working together, Margery and Walter married in 1933 but with war in Europe looming, Walter wanted an escape from London. In 1937 they found Lambrook Manor and set about first renovating the house and then the garden. Margery took on this project, and although a novice gardener, championed an informal 'cottage' style. In the following years she wrote many articles and books on this new style. The East Lambrook website will tell you much more.
Well, Margery's mother was Florence Buttfield (1861-1949), who, in turn, was daughter of Samuel Buttfield (1832-1874) and Harriet Brooks (1831-1913). Harriet was John Brooks and Elizabeth Stagoll's only daughter. It is this Harriet that Frederick refers to in 'My Life's Medley' when he writes around 1910 that 'it is a joy to know [she] is still living as Mrs Buttfield at Bush Hill Park, Enfield.'
