From your first step into this garden you are greeted by an atmosphere of space and an impressive display of exotic vegetation. The path guiding you towards the front door indicates to the eye that a garden with originality and charm awaits you.

In 1959 Mrs Spensley and her late husband designed and built their modern dream home set within half an acre.

Mrs Spensley is keen to keep a low-maintenance garden dominated by an air of tranquillity. Inspired by visits to Normandy gardens in France, she loves shapes and creating different aspects within her garden. She conveys just this to the spectator. Her garden is a canvas of shapes, colour and peacefulness.

The water feature forms the central focus within the formal part of the garden. It is surrounded by grass - immaculately manicured and edged by flower beds. A bank of trees and variegated shrubs finally leads the eye through a chain link fence to a view of The Green.

Strolling around the garden with Mrs Spensley, she points out each area which she has planted and designed with thought and purpose for its blend of colour and timely bloom. Mrs Spensley has attended courses at Capel Manor College and it immediately becomes evident that she is an ardent and dedicated gardener hiding her vast horticultural knowledge beneath a bushel of modesty.

Paths meld harmoniously from one themed area to another rather like drawing an imaginary curtain to yet a different visual encounter. The enchanting rockery contains huge, weathered stones edged by steps amongst which Dr Spensley planted his beloved heathers. Interspersed are ferns, grasses and unusual plants.

An evocative fragrance of herbs lead you on to the Mediterranean garden. This is shielded by exotic foliage, bamboos, grasses and palms. Mrs Spensley says "I can sit here in total seclusion throughout all seasons admiring the uninterrupted views across the garden."Whilst here, a gentle clucking and foraging becomes audible. It's from her pair of chickens cooped up in their run.What an innovative and sensible touch of husbandry in these times of prudent housekeeping!

Mrs Spensley took us to where she keeps her compost, which is impressive. She uses a minimum of chemicals and only on St. Valentine's Day does she put down slug pellets to minimise infestation, a practice adopted on the good advice ofMrs Kitty Nabarro. She buys quantities of used mushroom compost from Thompsons, whilst tea bags go into the wormery. Little wonder the garden is so lush and verdant.

As we walk towards the vegetable garden we encounter a zig zag wall. "Crinkle crankle walls were popular in the Victorian era," explains Mrs Spensley. Many years ago to protect their garden from an infill development next door, Dr Spensley built this brilliant and creative feature some 60 feet in length. From each angle fruit trees and shrubs can be grown and nurtured according to their own individual character and needs. A section is set aside here to cultivate soft summer fruits. Within a tall, netted area methodical, neat rows have been hoed for the growth of year-round mixed home-grown produce.Mrs Spensley has won numerous cups and prizes over the years for her flower arrangements as well as for her fruit and vegetables.

At the other end of the garden you unexpectedly come to a woodland area where the undergrowth is natural and mossy. Children must have such fun playing "hide and seek." Interestingly Mrs Spensley's boundary with The Green is medieval in age.

Mrs Spensley says "My most prized garden tools are my electric saw and small chainsaw due to their versatility. Every garden should have one because you save valuable time and pounds spent on gardeners." Now we know why her family affectionately call her their "Chainsaw Granny."
Eileen Eskenzi

Totteridge Garden Club

Meetings are held every second Wednesday of each month (except August and September) at 7.15 pm in the Village Hall. Interesting and instructive talks are given on all aspects of gardening by experts in the field. At each meeting there are two competitions, an information table, a raffle and a library from which books may be borrowed with no charge. From March to October there is a plant stall, and coach outings are arranged throughout the year to interesting gardens. In August and December there is a social event. The annual subscription is £7.50 plus a 50p charge at each meeting. Visitors are most welcome - entry £2.00.

Further information may be obtained from the Hon Secretary: Fiona Drasar Tel: 8445 4250; fdrasar@yahoo.com