Alan J. Dodge, Susan M. Dodge, Bailey Ridge, Near Leigh, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 6HU. Tel: 01963 210999
The Paddock Garden was originally the tennis courts for Lord Digby’s School which closed in the early 90’s.
After acquiring the land and long deliberation Sherborne Town Council decided that the area should be turned into a garden. They ran an amateur garden design competition in the town and the winning design was duly constructed.
The Company of Landscapers won the contract and led by Alan Dodge began clearing the site in January 2005. All the old tennis courts were bulldozed and dug out, the resulting spoil put to one side for recycling as sub-base material.
A metamorphosis gradually took place over the following nine months. Walls and steps were constructed, paving and edgings laid, beds and borders dug, turfs laid and plants planted.
The garden was opened in October 2005 by the incumbent mayor Mr. Peter Rhodes and Alan Titchmarsh of the gardening world. It was an exciting moment for Sherborne, a time capsule was buried and the commemorative plaque unveiled.
It has been an exciting time for The Company of Landscapers who recently won a prestigious national award for the project in The British Association of Landscaping Industries Awards 2006.
