To restore the gardens at Ashley Combe in memory of ADA LOVLACE and CHARLES BABBAGE.
The restored gardens will be marketed as 'The Philosophers' Garden' in tribute to their relationship and time spent walking in the garden and shared interest in Babbage's engine. Promotion of the garden will make much of the connection to Babbage, Lovelace and the start of the computer age.
The Company structure:
A limited company will be set up.
Although the company will be for profit, it will be declared that a certain percentage of profits will be retained for reinvestment (say 20% of turn over) in to related projects and to further research in the relevant fields. These are, initially, sustainability and renewable energy. Environmental conservation. Information technology.
The attractions:
The tunnel, as a shop, cafe, gallery and unique space for private hire.
The Hanging Gardens and terraces.
The Terrace and views. Good for private hire(weddings/open air performances)
Outdoor sculptural lighting.
The vegetable terraces for sale of produce.
Farm shop for sale of local produce.
Computer history exhibition.
Romantic poets exhibition.(Southey, Coleridge, Wordsworth, Byron.)
Renewable energy exhibition (water, wind and biomass and sale of equipment/advice).
The shop/office to be built from sustainable materials i.e. Straw/local timber etc.
Gorge walking and tree canopy exploration, tree houses and rope walkways. Cycle tracks.
A working model of Babbage's engine could be commissioned and installed as centre piece of an exhibition of the history of computing.
Environmental and ‘green’ building design concepts.
‘rain forest’ experience including educational walks and campsite.
A scenic drive up the toll road and a series of way marked scenic walks from the garden.
A woodland sculpture trail could be developed utilizing the extensive network of footpaths that extend from the gardens all the way to Culbone Church.
Ashley Combe enjoys a unique micro-climate and has been classified as the nearest thing in Europe to sub-tropical rainforest, which in itself will be an attraction. To enhance this, planting of exotic species can continue along the side of the road and stream to extend the scope of the gardens as well as to develop a ‘scenic drive’.
Making use of the gradient of the stream in the Combe and the prevailing westerly winds an exhibition of renewable power generation could be installed, building on Babbage’s ideas and the precedent of the estate having once had a water powered saw mill. This will make the gardens, office, shop and estate cottages self sufficient in energy and any surplus can be sold back in to the National Grid. In addition, it will attract students and school groups to view something more than just a garden.
Relationships will be developed both here in the UK and abroad with relevant universities to
encourage a student exchange scheme related to each of the areas the garden works with, I.e.: renewable energy, conservation, computing and IT and literature (poetry in particular).
This will give access funding sources for research and projects as well as building an international profile for the garden. An offshoot of these activities could be an ideas forum or ‘think-tank’, entitled ‘The Philosophers’ Garden’, it will encourage new and creative thinking in a number of fields related to IT, sustainability and the environment and the results of which can be published on our own web-site.
The gardens and surrounding area has considerable potential for film and photographic location work which can contribute to the income.
The Market:
Visitors to the attraction could be drawn from:
The existing tourist trade, one that is growing given the new found popularity of the West Country.
The worldwide following for Babbage and those interested in the history of the computer.
School parties and educational groups.
Garden societies and the many who visit open gardens every year.
Those people interested in renewable energy and environmental issues.
The International Byron Society
The considerable following for the ‘Romantic Poets’ and building on the connection to the recently opened long distance walk,’ The Coleridge Way’.
Estimated 600,000 visitors to Porlock Weir last year (2005). (Lynmouth Cliff Railway, 400,000, National Park figures.)
Parking and traffic management:
Car parking can be provided in the existing car park at the Tollgate. This is very limited however and further parking can be provided on the site of the old saw mill (an area of approx 1800sq yards) There is room here for a shop and office and large turning circle. From this car park level walking access is available into the gardens via the track and gate into the upper vegetable terrace.
It is suggested that, especially in the summer months, a one way traffic system be employed, getting cars to leave by driving up the Combe. Coach parking is available at Porlock Weir and a shuttle service employing a land rover or small mini bus could be introduced.
Visitor numbers and income:
Trebah Gardens, running to 25 acres in SW Cornwall, in a much more inaccessible location and with no particular historical connection draws 200,000 visitors a year at average of £5.00 per head.
At Ashley Combe the gardens can be opened from the start, offering tours of the proposed restoration. After completion, and with an active international marketing campaign it is expected that the Philosophers' Garden can compete with Trebah.
Staff and labour:
During the restoration it is anticipated that 2 professional tree surgeons for 3 months will be required to clear dangerous, overgrown and surplus trees and to reopen the extensive views from the terrace. To support them 2 full time local staff for general labour and to begin the restoration of the stone work.
A head gardener can be appointed as soon as finances allow, until then a local freelance contractor can be employed to advise on plants and planting and what may be salvaged from earlier times.
Within 12 months a full time manager may be appointed to run day to day affairs including developing the farm shop, retail and marketing operations.
Volunteers can also be recruited to assist with the work. These can be recruited nationally.
In addition to this a relationship should be developed with the local horticultural colleges (Cannington College, Bridgewater is the nearest) to enable students to visit and work, to undertake practical studies and gain work experience. Local universities include Exeter and Bristol.
A temporary campsite can be provided to supply accommodation for volunteers and WOOFERS (Willing Workers On Organic Farms - the extensive vegetable gardens will be organic).
The project can eventually create 6 full time jobs (manager, head gardener and 4 support staff) plus additional jobs in the summer months.
Where possible roles should be outsourced, for example marketing and PR. If a café/catering operation became possible then this too could be outsourced to a local operator thus avoiding capital outlay.
Professional Services:
Architectural design and surveying: John Dickson RIBA.
Legal services: Ian Smith, Hartnells, Camberwell, London SE5.
Accounting and tax advisors: John Macabe Associates.
Further resources and advice:
Exmoor Woodland Conservation Fund
Exmoor Forest Nurseries (www.exmoortrees.co.uk)
Museum Of Garden History
Exmoor National Park
The Exmoor Society
Royal Horticultural Society
Orchard grants from Exmoor National Park.
Blackdown Horticultural Consultants (www.greenroof.co.uk)
Somerset Wildlife Trust.
Catering:
To save on setting up costs and infrastructure it is proposed to outsource the catering ad thus be able to offer refreshments with immediate effect without the need for staff or administration costs. To this end the award winning café in South Molton , the ‘Corn Dolly’ has been approached and has expressed an interest. However, when this phase of the project is ready, the contract will be awarded on the basis of competitive tendering.
This will allow for on-line bookings as well as a news letter with info on new plantings and design, a diary of forthcoming events and the details on any papers from the ‘Philosophers’ garden’ think tank. There will be a selection of images keeping pace with the changing seasons, news on wildlife and a camera providing webcam pictures live from different locations in the garden.
There will be an ability to buy plants, food and souvenirs from the ‘farm shop’ with an on-line payment system as well as links to nearby accommodation to be able to pre book hotels and bed and breakfast facilities.
The project director:
Edwyn Martin has lived at Ashley Combe since 1962 and attended the village school as a child. He later trained in London as an archaeologist and historian of the English landscape and holds a joint honours degree I Geography and History. He subsequently worked abroad as a geologist and surveyor for various international companies. He is about to launch a new web based venture for the marketing of small and meduim sized food producers from throughout the UK called ‘The Real Food Club’ with guidance and advice from the Country landowners Association (CLA), to be based in Porlock and London. In October 2006, he will be enrolled on distance learning course at the University of London for a diploma in countryside management.
Finance and Fund raising:
International fund raising via a web site for small donations from the International Byron Society, a yet to be created 'Friends of the Philosophers' Garden' campaign.
A membership scheme could be introduced, offering free entry, newsletter special events etc in return for a fee. A ‘plant a tree/shrub’ scheme can be introduced.
A book and possibly documentary film can be made of the restoration.
The Bill Gates Foundation and other private Trusts and Foundations could be approached for donations, grants and awards.
West Country regional development funding should be explored for grants.
Paying visitors can be encouraged from the outset, at a reduced rate, once the site is declared safe.
For the first phase of redevelopment the following estimated costs apply:
Costs: £300,000 to restore and open the garden. 12 months to be able to fully open.
Costs:
| 1 full time manager: | £25,000 |
| 3 part time gardeners: | £30,000 |
| 2 stone masons: | £30,000 |
| New plantings: | £50,000 |
| Machinery and misc: | £25,000 |
| Installation of wind/water power: | £75,000 |
| Shop/office build: | £25,000 |
| Exterior lighting: | £15,000 |
| Professional services: | £5,000 |
| Marketing and sales: | £5,000 |
| Total: | £285,000 |
Income (year 1 during restoration):
| Visitors: 35,000 @ £3.00: | £105,000 |
| Sale of marketing items: | £30,000 |
| Grants/Donations/fundraising: | £150,000 |
| Total: | £285,000 |
With average ticket entry price at £4.00 plus spending per head at a shop/café at say £3.00 gives the following turnover if these visitor numbers are achieved: The target is to achieve 100,000 visitors per year within 18 months of the project beginning.
| 10,000 visitors: | £70,000 |
| 50,000 visitors: | £350,000 |
| 100,000 visitors: | £700,000 |
| 200,000 visitors: | £1,400,000 |
Archives and research:
Bodleian Library, Oxford
British Library
Somerset County Records Office
Surrey County Records Office
Exmoor National Park.
Yale University.
Kew Gardens
Museum of Garden History, Lambeth
Other relevant local attractions and sources in the South west:
www.hartlandabbey.com
www.tapeleypark.com
www.heligan.com
www.trebahgardens.co.uk
