Clacton Arts & Literary Society

The Arts and Literary Society were treated to an evening of horticultural madness when a thoroughly enthusiastic and garrulous young man, Tom Hart Dyke, regaled the story of his life in plants.   It started with his grandmother giving him seeds to plant at the age 3 at his home in Lullingstone Castle and the gift of a greenhouse when he was 13.  He progressed to travelling the world seeking orchids and other specimens.  Of course, the major part of his story concerned his capture and kidnap in the Darien Gap.   His account of these months was both harrowing and amusing but the very real terror was still apparent when he spoke about it.

Later on he showed us pictures of his wonderful and incredible world garden which he has created at Lullingstone Castle.   This garden was designed when in captivity during the few hours left before he was to be executed.  Fortunately, this did not happen and so this wonderful garden is there for anyone to see.   The plants and trees are placed in the country of their origin and are growing magnificently despite the eccentricities of the English climate, although some have to be dug up and put in glasshouses during the winter and replanted in the Spring.

This was a very different evening and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience and the sponsors Normal and Neill (Optometrists) of Clacton on Sea.

                                                            Audrey Owens

                                                                Press Officer