Gerddi Portmeirion ‹ Portmeirion

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-Sir Clough Williams-Ellis built -Portmeirion on his private land.	0:00:20	0:00:25
-The village was built -between 1925 and 1975...	0:00:25	0:00:29
-..yes, a whole 50 years to complete.	0:00:30	0:00:32
-Sir Clough developed a site -of natural beauty...	0:00:33	0:00:36
-..without disfiguring it.	0:00:38	0:00:40
-He combined great architecture -with suitable landscape planning...	0:00:40	0:00:44
-..and wanted to protect -the Welsh countryside.	0:00:45	0:00:49
-He battled for beauty - -'that strange necessity'.	0:00:49	0:00:53
-Everyone is familiar -with Portmeirion the village...	0:00:57	0:01:01
-..but few know about -its gardens and woodland.	0:01:01	0:01:05
-Until recently, the gardens -have almost been a secret.	0:01:07	0:01:12
-People have stumbled -across them on occasions.	0:01:12	0:01:16
-Experienced and professional -gardeners have come here...	0:01:16	0:01:21
-..amazed by the wealth of plants -which can be found in the Gwyllt.	0:01:22	0:01:27
-There are tropical plants, -Rhododendrons, Camellias...	0:01:27	0:01:32
-..Magnolias, Azaleas -and many others.	0:01:32	0:01:36
-Several of these plants -are unique...	0:01:36	0:01:38
-..as a result of the mild -climate we get here.	0:01:39	0:01:43
-A few miles inland they could -only be grown -in glasshouses.	0:01:44	0:01:50
-Coloured posts mark the walk -from Portmeirion to the Gwyllt.	0:02:12	0:02:16
-I'm the Head Gardener -here at Portmeirion.	0:02:17	0:02:21
-I'm responsible for the village -gardens, the Gwyllt gardens...	0:02:22	0:02:26
-..and the wooded gardens.	0:02:26	0:02:28
-You could say, everything -that grows in Portmeirion!	0:02:29	0:02:33
-I was trained at Kew Gardens -and at Windsor back in the '60s.	0:02:33	0:02:38
-I spent most of my time -working in south-east England...	0:02:41	0:02:45
-..before coming here -to Portmeirion in 1995.	0:02:45	0:02:49
-We are currently developing -the gardens...	0:02:50	0:02:53
-..and providing more information -for visitors and guests...	0:02:54	0:02:58
-..by means of a leaflet -showing the wild paths...	0:02:58	0:03:02
-..and a booklet about -the gardens' history.	0:03:02	0:03:07
-We're standing alongside -the largest lake in Portmeirion.	0:03:27	0:03:32
-This was re-opened -in the early '80s.	0:03:32	0:03:37
-The bridge behind me -and the pagoda over there...	0:03:37	0:03:41
-..were designed by Susan -Cooper-Willis, Robin's mother.	0:03:42	0:03:47
-There are a number of lakes -in the Gwyllt...	0:03:47	0:03:51
-..including Temple pond, which -is filled with fish, such as carp.	0:03:51	0:03:56
-Further up into the Gwyllt, -there is a natural pond...	0:04:01	0:04:07
-..in Eucraphia Hollow.	0:04:07	0:04:09
-The gardens and the Gwyllt -contain many sculptures...	0:04:17	0:04:21
-..some are evident -but others are hidden by the trees.	0:04:21	0:04:25
-We're standing in Salutation Square -at the moment...	0:04:27	0:04:31
-..where you can see along the path -to the shaded area at the far end.	0:04:31	0:04:36
-This was one of Clough's -favourite places.	0:04:37	0:04:41
-It draws you into the Gwyllt -- this is where it begins.	0:04:42	0:04:47
-The Gwyllt is a natural garden -with some tropical plants.	0:04:49	0:04:55
-They were originally planted -here in 1865.	0:04:55	0:05:00
-Keeping the gardens in good -condition is an all year round task.	0:05:05	0:05:09
-This is some of the work we do.	0:05:13	0:05:16
-We trim these yews -- the Taxus Baccata.	0:05:16	0:05:19
-The main problem is that -they lose shape quite quickly...	0:05:20	0:05:24
-..so we tie them using strong wire.	0:05:25	0:05:28
-The wire is waterproof -so it lasts quite a long time.	0:05:28	0:05:33
-We tie them to keep them in shape.	0:05:34	0:05:37
-Many of them are long and thin, -like these.	0:05:40	0:05:44
-They could look out of place -if they lost shape.	0:05:45	0:05:50
-The growth will actually -come through the wire...	0:05:50	0:05:54
-..so we have to trim them back -in about August and September.	0:05:55	0:06:00
-There's plenty to do...	0:06:03	0:06:05
-..as there are about 60 trees -in total.	0:06:06	0:06:11
-In order to draw more children -to the Gwyllt...	0:06:15	0:06:19
-..we decided to build -this play area.	0:06:19	0:06:23
-There used to be a ditch here.	0:06:24	0:06:26
-When we built the new -infrastructure in Portmeirion...	0:06:27	0:06:31
-..we brought the rubble here -to fill the hole in.	0:06:31	0:06:35
-We then created the play area.	0:06:36	0:06:39
-We filled the sides with soil...	0:06:40	0:06:43
-..and planted Rhododendrons -to provide a screen.	0:06:44	0:06:47
-This spring, -we will be installing...	0:06:49	0:06:51
-..a miniature wooden railway -and a castle.	0:06:51	0:06:55
-That is sure to attract -more children to the Gwyllt.	0:06:55	0:06:59
-Some trees are unique -to Portmeirion...	0:07:01	0:07:04
-..and named after the Gwyllt.	0:07:04	0:07:07
-I'm standing alongside the Gwyllt -King which has been bred here.	0:07:07	0:07:12
-They crossed two Rhododendrons -to create this plant.	0:07:13	0:07:17
-It received the Gold Merit -from the RHS in 1938.	0:07:19	0:07:25
-It's a very interesting plant -as the back of the leaves...	0:07:26	0:07:31
-..are the colour of velvet.	0:07:31	0:07:33
-One of the Gwyllt's most interesting -areas is the Dogs' Cemetery...	0:07:35	0:07:40
-..established by Mrs Adelaide Haig.	0:07:40	0:07:43
-The elegies she wrote -can still be read here.	0:07:43	0:07:47
-I'm standing beside a young -Maintenous Arbora plant.	0:07:54	0:07:59
-It comes from Chile -and is rather special.	0:08:00	0:08:04
-Alan Mitchell says that this -is the best example of this tree...	0:08:05	0:08:10
-..in this country.	0:08:10	0:08:12
-Roy Lancaster said the same thing -in 'The Gardener' - the RHS book.	0:08:14	0:08:21
-These are young trees -that are growing.	0:08:23	0:08:26
-The climate here is ideal -for this plant...	0:08:28	0:08:32
-..as there is plenty of rain -and warm air from the Gulf Stream.	0:08:32	0:08:39
-Each gardener is responsible for -a different part of the garden.	0:08:45	0:08:50
-Careful planning is needed -to ensure that the garden...	0:08:51	0:08:55
-..is colourful -throughout the year...	0:08:55	0:08:57
-..with a range of hothouse and wild -flowers in every nook and cranny.	0:08:57	0:09:02
-I've been working here for ten -years and I love gardening here.	0:09:12	0:09:17
-There's a good group of staff.	0:09:18	0:09:20
-We went to the Chelsea Flower Show -last year for two weeks...	0:09:20	0:09:24
-..and it was the first time -we'd competed.	0:09:25	0:09:28
-We won the Big Gardens Award -so we were very proud...	0:09:30	0:09:34
-..of what we achieved there.	0:09:35	0:09:37
-We met Charlie Dimmock, -who is a gardener of sorts...	0:09:37	0:09:42
-..and many other stars, -on one of the days.	0:09:43	0:09:48
-We had a good time.	0:09:49	0:09:51
-We cultivate the lawns -during the summer...	0:09:51	0:09:55
-..along with the yew trees.	0:09:55	0:09:57
-We keep the gardens -neat and tidy...	0:09:59	0:10:03
-..and look after the lawn -in front of the hotel.	0:10:03	0:10:07
-It becomes very busy -over the summer.	0:10:07	0:10:11
-We get up to 4,000 visitors -during the week, in August...	0:10:11	0:10:16
-..so it can get very busy.	0:10:16	0:10:18
-It's quieter -at this time of year...	0:10:19	0:10:22
-..but it's pleasant -with fewer people around.	0:10:22	0:10:26
-It's hard to work around -too many people!	0:10:26	0:10:31
-We are standing in the village -centre, beside the Piazza.	0:10:37	0:10:42
-Years ago, -this was a vegetable garden...	0:10:42	0:10:46
-..but we now grow other plants -here, such as Suzanna palms.	0:10:48	0:10:53
-The Irish Yews are cut like -Italian Cypress...	0:10:54	0:10:57
-..just as Clough liked them.	0:10:58	0:11:00
-There is Euphorbia growing here.	0:11:00	0:11:02
-This is one of the succulents -I talked about earlier.	0:11:03	0:11:08
-This Arricium is native -to the Scilly and Canary Isles.	0:11:08	0:11:13
-They are quite happy here -and are even self-seeding.	0:11:15	0:11:19
-I was doing this job -for the council in Porthmadog...	0:11:27	0:11:31
-..from midnight until 8.30am...	0:11:31	0:11:33
-..as that was the only time...	0:11:34	0:11:36
-..it was quiet enough -to clean the streets.	0:11:36	0:11:40
-In 1992, I heard they needed -someone here part-time.	0:11:41	0:11:46
-I got the job and was delighted.	0:11:46	0:11:49
-This is Cornus Capitata -that bears a delicious fruit...	0:12:01	0:12:06
-..which tastes similar -to strawberry.	0:12:06	0:12:09
-It must be very red -before you can eat it...	0:12:12	0:12:17
-..as it's very sour -unless it's ripe.	0:12:17	0:12:20
-It grows very well here and has -a yellow bract when in flower...	0:12:21	0:12:26
-..and it fruits -at this time of year.	0:12:27	0:12:30
-It adds colour during the winter -when little else is flowering.	0:12:30	0:12:35
-Of the Gwyllt paths that -weave their way along...	0:12:45	0:12:49
-..one leads to a lighthouse -designed by Sir Clough.	0:12:49	0:12:53
-I can't see how they've done it.	0:13:14	0:13:16
-It must be like a 3D mirage -or something.	0:13:17	0:13:20
-The most incredible thing -is that they've taken a part...	0:13:20	0:13:24
-..of this little fairy land and -stuck it in the middle of London!	0:13:25	0:13:30
-The way that he did things -has such a charming effect on you.	0:13:30	0:13:34
-The Chelsea Flower Show -was one the main events of 1999...	0:13:36	0:13:40
-..for the Portmeirion gardeners.	0:13:40	0:13:43
-Months of careful planning ensued.	0:13:43	0:13:45
-As far as the gardens are concerned, -all is going according to plan.	0:13:46	0:13:50
-The tower is being built in East -Anglia and will be shipped over...	0:13:50	0:13:58
-..about two weeks before -the completion of the garden.	0:13:58	0:14:03
-To complete the steps -and walls in Chelsea...	0:14:05	0:14:09
-..Welsh slates had to be prepared.	0:14:09	0:14:12
-All the plants were grown -in Portmeirion's nursery...	0:14:12	0:14:16
-..before being moved -to their temporary new home.	0:14:16	0:14:20
-The hard work paid off -one hundredfold...	0:14:28	0:14:31
-..and the garden -was a complete success.	0:14:31	0:14:34
-Doesn't it look wonderful -- just like Portmeirion?	0:14:34	0:14:38
-I go there regularly -and love the place.	0:14:38	0:14:41
-It's one of the best places -in Wales.	0:14:42	0:14:45
-I can't believe the way they've -recreated the atmosphere.	0:14:45	0:14:49
-It looks and feels -like Portmeirion.	0:14:50	0:14:52
-As you walk through the garden -you see the Gwyllt in Portmeirion.	0:14:52	0:14:57
-They've also conveyed the height, -as Portmeirion is multi-level.	0:14:58	0:15:03
-They've managed to convey -that in Chelsea!	0:15:03	0:15:07
-What a way to promote Wales!	0:15:07	0:15:09
-Everyone will visit -Portmeirion now!	0:15:09	0:15:12
-Stars from television -and the gardening world...	0:15:18	0:15:22
-..have all been to see the garden.	0:15:22	0:15:25
-Bob Geldof is here -with his girlfriend.	0:15:27	0:15:30
-Jools Holland is in the garden -at the moment.	0:15:31	0:15:34
-Everyone is astounded - -it's the best garden in Chelsea.	0:15:35	0:15:39
-I love Chelsea because -of the Garden Party atmosphere.	0:15:49	0:15:53
-There are loads of ideas as well...	0:15:54	0:15:57
-..and it's summer even if -the weather doesn't think so.	0:15:57	0:16:01
-The garden was officially opened -by Sir Clough's daughter, Susan.	0:16:05	0:16:10
-Musician, Jools Holland is one -of Portmeirion's biggest fans...	0:16:10	0:16:15
-..and he did his best to help Susan.	0:16:16	0:16:19
-A little detail - a simple hitch!	0:16:35	0:16:37
-My love affair with Portmeirion -began when I was a child...	0:16:42	0:16:46
-..and I saw The Prisoner programme.	0:16:46	0:16:49
-That was what introduced it to me.	0:16:49	0:16:52
-I wondered why he was trying -to escape from this beautiful place.	0:16:52	0:16:57
-Why doesn't he say "Hey, this is -the nicest place I've ever been"?	0:16:57	0:17:02
-It looked enchanting and beautiful -but I had no idea where it was.	0:17:02	0:17:07
-It wasn't until The Tube...	0:17:08	0:17:10
-..that we decided -to go to Portmeirion...	0:17:11	0:17:14
-..to film an episode -based on The Prisoner.	0:17:14	0:17:17
-What is this place? Where am I?	0:17:32	0:17:37
-You, Number 7.	0:17:41	0:17:43
-Yes, you, Number 7 - up here.	0:17:43	0:17:47
-I'm not a number, -I'm a television personality.	0:17:49	0:17:53
-Very good, number 7.	0:18:01	0:18:03
-Now come up here and join me -for something to eat.	0:18:04	0:18:09
-I realised The Prisoner thing -wasn't important.	0:18:09	0:18:12
-The important thing was Portmeirion -itself, its gardens and buildings...	0:18:13	0:18:19
-..and the views of its creator, -Clough Williams-Ellis.	0:18:19	0:18:23
-We worked with Wyevale...	0:18:28	0:18:30
-..Portmeirion Pottery -and the Welsh Tourist Board.	0:18:30	0:18:34
-Bunny Guinness and Peter Eustence -were the garden designers.	0:18:36	0:18:40
-Six gardeners from Portmeirion -have done all the planting work.	0:18:40	0:18:45
-I've copied the Unicorn building -myself for a recording studio.	0:18:48	0:18:53
-I've looked at the way -he's worked...	0:18:54	0:18:57
-..and used him as an inspiration -to design things for myself.	0:18:58	0:19:03
-My job is playing the piano -or going out with the band...	0:19:03	0:19:08
-..so if I go and see -a Ray Charles concert...	0:19:08	0:19:12
-..I come away and I'm charged up -with all the ideas.	0:19:12	0:19:16
-It's the same with Portmeirion.	0:19:16	0:19:18
-When I go there, it is relaxing -but also a case of being inspired.	0:19:19	0:19:24
-After all the planning and hard work -Russell Sharp was quite content.	0:19:27	0:19:32
-I'm pleased with all the work that -shows Portmeirion as it really is.	0:19:34	0:19:39
-An event like this also attracts -a number of tourists to Wales.	0:19:40	0:19:45
-An event like this also attracts -a number of tourists to Wales. - -It's wonderful.	0:19:45	0:19:46
-Coming here and talking about it, -really is second best.	0:19:47	0:19:51
-You can say "That is it"!	0:19:51	0:19:53
-That's the absolute feeling and I -think they've done it brilliantly!	0:19:53	0:19:58
-Some of it's cultivated, the ponds -and the Japanese part...	0:19:59	0:20:04
-..and then the natural beach.	0:20:04	0:20:06
-Some people cut grass but -Portmeirion don't always cut it.	0:20:06	0:20:11
-I think it's wonderful - beautiful!	0:20:22	0:20:25
-The more of Portmeirion we have -transported, the better!	0:20:25	0:20:30
-A piece of Wales in England...	0:20:30	0:20:32
-..but what was the main purpose -of Chelsea?	0:20:33	0:20:36
-The idea behind Chelsea was -to recreate the atmosphere...	0:20:36	0:20:41
-..of Portmeirion and Plas Brondanw.	0:20:41	0:20:44
-For that, the designers created -a three-quarter sized model...	0:20:45	0:20:50
-..of the Watch Tower -down on the seashore.	0:20:53	0:20:57
-I think that the Chelsea Flower -Show did bring people to Wales...	0:20:57	0:21:02
-..and to Portmeirion in particular.	0:21:02	0:21:05
-These are people who have -an interest in the gardens.	0:21:05	0:21:10
-We distributed over 10,000 leaflets -about the gardens in Portmeirion...	0:21:11	0:21:16
-..and other gardens in Wales.	0:21:16	0:21:18
-In 1999, we noticed -that more people than ever...	0:21:18	0:21:22
-..were taking a stroll -through the Gwyllt...	0:21:23	0:21:27
-..and using the paths -marked with coloured posts.	0:21:27	0:21:32
-But what does the future hold -for the gardens and the Gwyllt?	0:21:34	0:21:37
-But what does the future hold -for the gardens and the Gwyllt? - -Change is intrinsic to gardens.	0:21:37	0:21:40
-The idea is to maintain -the atmosphere we have here...	0:21:40	0:21:45
-..in addition to nurturing -and developing the rare plants.	0:21:45	0:21:50
-We still have work to do -to develop the gardens.	0:21:51	0:21:56
-We do not intend to create -a formal garden...	0:21:56	0:22:00
-..but to keep it wild -so that it looks natural.	0:22:00	0:22:05
-There are plants here from -all corners of the world...	0:22:05	0:22:10
-..and they're flourishing -because of our mild climate.	0:22:12	0:22:16
-Next week, we'll take a look -at another part...	0:22:27	0:22:31
-..of the Portmeirion Trust - -the Brondanw Estate.	0:22:31	0:22:35
-The mansion was -Clough Williams-Ellis' home...	0:22:35	0:22:39
-..and inspired his architecture.	0:22:39	0:22:42
-The estate includes houses, -farms and a magnificent garden.	0:22:44	0:22:49
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