An insider's view on Alnwick Gardens.A book detailing the history behind the Alnwick Garden has been written by a Northumberland author. Ian August put together a 320-page account of how the Duchess of Northumberland ( who has written the book's foreword fore·word n. A preface or an introductory note, as for a book, especially by a person other than the author. foreword Noun an introductory statement to a book Noun 1. ( came up with the idea of building one of the UK's top visitor attractions. The book, The Making of the Alnwick Garden, details the difficulties, worries and joys of building the Garden and shows unique photographs. The author was about to retire from the Duke of Northumberland's Northumberland Estates firm, when the duchess asked him to help with the gardens. He has worked closely with her since the idea was mooted eight years ago, meeting with her for hours on end to dream up how to turn her vision into a reality. In her foreword, the duchess says: "Ian is an artist. He appreciated beauty when he saw it after 40 years as clerk of the works, and he also had the benefit of years of experience of working with people and buildings. "I could never have seen the project through to this stage without Ian's involvement. His skills of tact and diplomacy diplomacy Art of conducting relationships for gain without conflict. It is the chief instrument of foreign policy. Its methods include secret negotiation by accredited envoys (though political leaders also negotiate) and international agreements and laws. are second to none. "Ian has produced an exciting and enlightening en·light·en tr.v. en·light·ened, en·light·en·ing, en·light·ens 1. To give spiritual or intellectual insight to: story of the journey that he and I have travelled." The Making of the Alnwick Garden, priced at pounds 25 in hardback, will be available to buy from next month. |
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