The Chelsea Diaries: In the Nick of time

It has been an interesting week. First I had a meeting with Nick my contractor who is constructing the oak summerhouse. The roof is proving a challenge to construct because of my determination to avoid a perfect round shape. Each angle for the roof timbers is different and jointing is therefore considerably more onerous. I am very pleased with the timbers, this building is going to be impressive at each stage of construction. Even a small piece is heavy weight. I took away a small section of a post for when I go to the Yorkshire quarry to arrange for York stone ‘feet’ to be made.

Nick introduced me to Nick his joinery assistant who was busily sanding down the oak and chamfering the edges when Nick the Thatcher arrived to discuss the shape of the roof and the programme for working when we start on site. He will be joined by two others from his Company who are Master Thatchers South Ltd in Sussex. The reed has already been set aside and date fixed for the thatching to start at Chelsea. I wanted to know what the overhang of the roof should be for thatch because this will affect my planting. I was hoping for no more than 30 – 40 cm so was pleased to hear that for it to look just right it should overhang by about 14 inches.

The oak work is being carried out at a lovely old Sussex farm and whilst admiring some of the ancient buildings I spotted a large clump of ferns growing out of the roof of a crumbling barn. Nick promised to speak with the farmer Nick …yes another one! and retrieve the clump of ferns for an outing to London in May.

After the excitement of the oak frame Nick and I went on to see the Blacksmith. If anything is needed in metal they can fabricate it. The kissing gate is with them for repair and adjustment and Mervyn demonstrated how to bend a 5cm wide piece of iron the old fashioned way without using any heat or hi tech machinery for the base of the gate which had rusted beyond repair. My newly purchased heavy iron gate needs a finial to be refitted so they are going to sort that out too.

The main purpose of this visit was to see the corten steel, which has just arrived from the supplier in rolled form ready for cutting, shaping and fashioning to create the sculpture window. We saw, from a safe distance, the steel being cut with a torch ready for welding to form the base. Once it is made up in a raw state I shall be able to see if requires any modification. It is meant to be simple and unfussy but I also want to have a ring of elegance about it. It is good that we have a couple of months to tweak here and there. I shall be going back soon to see how it is progressing. I think Nick will be pleased if I choose to lighten the sculpture. By the end of the day, with a smile he commented drily ‘there seem to be a lot of heavy items appearing in this garden’

I must grow some spinach for all the Nicks before May.

For more information about the sponsors of the garden visit www.mandgchelsea.co.uk