Surrey Homes | SH13 | November 2015 | Gift supplement inside

Above left: The stairs have been painted with non-slip paint, to give the
effect of a carpet runner. Above right: A dormer was added on to make room
for a new bathroom – with a space-saving sliding door. Left: Francine used
floor tiles from Fired Earth on the walls of her shower room
you’re the new girl, it can knock your confidence. But,
writing my column for the Sunday Telegraph has got
me out, meeting people. Each time you write about a
garden, it’s a different world, with different people.”
She’s a great proponent of community gardens,
and speaks warmly of the Stream Walk Community
Garden, as well as the Friends of the Westbrook stream
in Faversham. “These days many people can’t afford a
house with a large garden. Community gardens are the
way it’s going, and it’s a great way to make friends.”
The NGS is also something Francine is involved
in, and which she hopes to extend in Whitstable.
“We have seven gardens already, and we are hoping
to attract people with smaller gardens, who can be
involved in a more informal way – marking their garden
with a yellow balloon during open garden week.”
Francine’s garden will be open on June 12, 2016.
Although she was initially looking for a smaller home,
with a larger garden, it seems that Francine has ended
up with the perfect plot. “My old garden was an acre,
and I had 100 ducks. I didn’t want this garden to be
labour intensive.” Instead, much of the area close to the
house is taken up with containers, in all shapes and
51 www.wealdentimes.co.uk
/2015 14:57 S13Book.indb 51 27/10/2015 16:55