Thanks, Anita - it would be lovely to meet you, keep in touch with plans :) We enjoyed Jill's visit so much. It was only a couple of weeks after my heart operation, so I wasn't up to much - luckily, good food, plenty of wine and great company meant we all managed to have a good time! It really is a great pleasure to see us listed with Jill's and Anita's gardens. The fact that we all manage to keep in touch on this Forum is very special. Even if you can't all come to visit Mottisfont, please do try to see the Heritage and Sacramento gardens - these guys work so hard to maintain and preserve our beloved rose. I thought you might like to read David's response to the Award, which Jill read at the ceremony. All the accolades and congratulations belong to him - a man who has dedicated his life to this one beautiful garden, and to the preservation of the highest standard of horticultural skills: On behalf of the National Trust and the gardeners of Mottisfont Abbey, I gratefully and gladly accept this prestigious award. The elevation of our rose garden into the Hall of Fame is an occasion both for celebration and reflection. Since its white door first swung open in 1975, Mottisfont has presented a Midsummer spectacle of colour, form and loveliness unequalled in Britain. From humble beginnings it has grown to be counted among the most precious and popular of the National Trust's vast treasury of delights, visited and enjoyed by more than 150,000 people per year. The garden, with its collection of over 600 varieties of roses, is presented not only as a tribute to the timeless glory of this most glorious of flowers, but also to the vision and genius of Mr. Graham Thomas, who gathered so many of its treasures together, displaying them to matchless effect within the mellow walls of this most ancient site. This award acknowledges the invaluable contribution that Graham made to our knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the rose, a contribution without which our lives would be so much the poorer. For myself, now in my 33rd year as Head Gardener at Mottisfont, I am thrilled beyond measure that this garden which I have tended with care and affection is now receiving its just recognition as a Rose Garden of especial merit. In the text of the Award (from the American Rose magazine) I read that the garden is being recognized for 'the depth of its collection of roses' and 'for 'the excellence of its horticultural practices.' Ladies and Gentlemen, as a working gardener I cannot tell you how my this latter accolade means to me! I receive it with a sense of proper pride, and share it with the many, many colleagues who over the years have shared in this work with me. Thank you, Jill, for receiving this award on our behalf. Thank you, that noble band of past recipients - the Great Rosarians of the World - who have judged us worthy of this honour. Thank you, Clair, for making this all possible. And thanks to all who love the Rose! Today, more than ever, the world needs such devotion to Beauty. The world needs to be brightened by the grace and loveliness that is the Rose - that is this Flower of Love. David G Stone. Best wishes Jon

To be showing this kind of personal initiative and persistence at such a young age is quite impressive. There are people in the world who are proactive to make things happen and to put themselves where they want to be in their lives, others who only react to situations (whether intended or unintended) they find themselves in and often with limited alternatives to choose from. He's obviously of the first type, congrats to him and to all concerned.

I slightly prefer the faux bamboo style, but haven't found a simpler example like the discontinued one in the photo (straight lines, plain finials instead of pineapples, etc.). Thanks for your points on the footboard! I'm still batting for both teams, but No Footboard is edging ahead.

A small portion of our Botanical Garden’s Galaxy of Lights display this year. It’s the 25th year this display has been done, all by volunteer efforts. My DH works in the setup crew and I was co-chair this year. It was hard due to C19 restrictions but we worked with the Garden staff to get it done and ensure safety measures were in place for entry and ticket scans, etc. Sorry for multiple photos but I am very proud of our team! This is an example of one of the many animated displays on the 2 mile trail. We do walking nights (including 3 ‘dog nights’ when guests can bring leashed dogs for a $3 fee) for the first 2 weeks and then after Thanksgiving convert to driving nights.