A little known garden holds special significance for a Dorchester man who makes ‘pilgrimages’ there to remember his brother.
David Downton says his visits to Holme Nursery garden at West Holme, near Wareham, to remember his late brother Adrian Downton are ‘celebrations, neither maudlin nor sentimental.’
Adrian, who was headteacher at Dorchester Middle School and also a magistrate, passed away on December 24, 2017 aged 78 after suffering from a very rare form of motor neurone disease. He was married to Gill with two daughters, Sarah and Claire.
The late Adrian Downton, whose brother David remembers on regular ‘pilgrimages’ to Holme for Gardens at West Holme
Adrian’s debilitating illness took away his speech for the last two years of his life, David said.
He added: “Adrian bore it with stoicism and dignity. During my drives and walks with him, we found ways to communicate.
“At Hive Beach it was drawing letters in sand with walking sticks and finally it was a piece of cardboard and large felt tipped marker.”
On a visit to the garden at Holme while Adrian was very ill, David said he asked his brother if one day he might like a bench there.
He said: “In a very scrawly hand Adrian wrote ‘yes please’. So that’s what family and friends did and it’s often my pilgrimage to visit the garden and sit on his oak bench made in Dorset."
David Downton, remembering his brother on regular ‘pilgrimages’ to Holme for Gardens at West Holme
David, also an ex-headteacher, who taught in Sherborne, describes the garden at West Holme as ‘beautiful, quiet, and I thought, spiritual.’ “There, my brother was as relaxed as he was able to be.
"As brothers we had always been very competitive, but were close and respected each others’ achievements.
“When I’m in the garden I think of Adrian’s commitment to the family, his many contributions to community and his love of life. It’s a great way to be able to remember someone.
The garden at West Holme in bloom
“This year the garden is more brilliant than usual with summer flowers blooming together with autumn favourites like Michaelmas daisies.
"Heathers and grasses in the stone garden are the best I have ever seen.
The garden at Holme, which David describes as ‘‘beautiful, quiet, and spiritual’
“During these troubled times a visit here can also be a ‘cheer up’ and demonstrates that, like nature, we will bounce back and flourish again.”
The garden at West Holme is open to the public. See holmeforgardens.co.uk for more information.
If a garden is of special significance to you and you’d like to tell us about it and share some pictures in this uplifting section, email joanna.davis@ dorsetecho.co.uk or call 01305 830973.
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