Father Luke’s 75TH Birthday Present
A Secret Garden Makeover

Father Luke celebrated his 75th birthday on 18 December 2003

As a gift to Father Luke from people in the parish we organised a Secret Garden Makeover at his permanent home where he will live in his retirement…… but not for a long time yet!

We were able to keep this project secret from him because he currently resides at the Presbytery behind the church.

This project began on 25 October 2003 and was completed ready to present to him on Sunday 7 December 2003. Some fifty parishioners volunteered their various skills and time. As a result we ere able to adapt the original simple design into something more elaborate and incorporate all the many features he loves whilst still keeping it a low maintenance garden.

Most of the hard landscaping was done over the five weekends, while the planting was done around this work during the week.

No offer of help was refused. We even had people bringing in lunch for all those working on the project and others popping in just to make tea and coffee.

There was much work to do during the week to make sure all the supplies and equipment were delivered and on site for the following weekend.

The atmosphere was tremendous. We all made new friends, shared successes and frustrations … but all with a smile and a laugh. We worked through pouring rain and sunshine and even under floodlight just to meet the deadline. On really cold days we all looked forward to our site meetings, more frequently called as these were always held over tea, coffee and biscuits!

While in church on a Sunday we would share with many parishioners news of the progress. When Father Luke came by the conversation either dried up or quickly changed topic.

We have included some before and after photos to show the transformation.

 

We would like to thank the following businesses who were so supportive of the project.

Pauline Hall of Beeches Lodge (B & B) (Parish)
Tim Flinton of Flinton Roofing (Parish)
Eric De Valmency of DeValmency Plastering (Parish)
Pat Coe (Plumber) (Parish)
Sean Keating of Keating Electrical (Parish)
Mick Murphy of Bek Construction (Parish)
John Sealy (Builder) (Parish)
Clive Rayner of Admiral Services
John of Universal Supplies North Street Carshalton
Neil of Hewdon’s Hire Company Wallingotn
Fete and Fayre Carshalton
Lucas Stone Garden Ornaments West Sussex