Dimensions
246 x 307 x 30mm
This book tells the story of James Pulham Son, the eminent family of Victorian and Edwardian landscape artists who specialised in the construction of picturesque rock gardens, ferneries, follies and grottoes. The book covers more than four generations of the family business that was also responsible for the manufacture of extremely high-quality terracotta garden ornaments including fountains, vases, sundials and bulastrading. The rock gardens, for which the firm are mainly remembered today, were built with 'artifical' rocks - formed from heaps of old bricks and rubble, coated with cement, and sculpted to simulate the colour and texture of natural stone. The author's interest in James Pulham oSon stems from the fact that no fewer than five of his ancestors worked for the company as 'rock builders'. AUTHOR: Claude Hitching is a retired Management Accountant, and started to research his family tree in 1999. He always knew that his grandfather, Fred Hitching, worked for James Pulham and Son as a 'Rock Builder', and soon discovered that no fewer than five of his ancestors - including his grandfather and great-grandfather - all worked for the firm in the same capacity. Claude spent the next 10 years researching the family and their business. Claude received endorsements and encouragement for his research from several National organisations, such as English Heritage, the Garden History Society and the National Trust, and he decided to set up this website devoted to the Pulhams at www.pulham.org.uk in 2003. Traffic increased steadily to several thousand visitors per month, and his reputation as 'The Pulham Expert' spread to the point where he has been able to assist a number of local authorities and organisations validate the provenance of their parks and gardens, and thus qualify for Heritage Lottery restoration grants. ILLUSTRATIONS: 450 colour H340 b/w photographs
