Paradise in Calderdale.

The gardens were begun in a small way from a hay meadow some thirty years ago, having been jolted out of inaction by a visiting friend. He had cast a sceptical eye over my first efforts, which produced a profusion of discordant colours on a nearby dung heap. I had bought several packets of annuals from the local garden centre and scattered them freely.

He commented wryly, ‘Well John, the vision is of the Whore of Babylon returning home after a hard Saturday night from a downtown souk in a rainstorm. Not good!’

Not good? I decided to get my eye in by visiting iconic gardens and the collections of abstract paintings in the Tate of the North. Why? It had dawned on me that gardeners have to juggle three variables when planting borders, as do abstract artists:

• Colour
• Texture
• Form

Come and judge for yourself.

The land lies at an altitude of 950’ with a northeastern aspect. At times, its upkeep feels like throwing stones at a resentful fate, but with careful planning, the garden, now 5 acres, takes no more than ten hours a week to maintain.

A lie? No.

There is an indoor gallery and around the garden there are various sculptures, which reflect my feelings to various aspects of the human condition. I discuss those only if asked.

The overall design was inspired by, amongst others, Bodnant in north Wales and Arley in Cheshire.

'John Williams'