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Norwood People
Norwood
Gardens was created by two people, Crispin Rayner and Michael Oliver. Crispin
is the gardener. He is the garden designer and has built the garden virtually
single handedly. Michael runs the Tea Room and deals with most administration
matters.
Our visitors are often interested in
our backgrounds and particularly in how we came to Wales to start the gardens.
The notes which follow throw some light on these questions.
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Crispin Rayner
Crispin was
born in Gloucestershire but his family moved to Tunbridge Wells in Kent when he
was two years old. When he finished school his first job was with a small
landscaping company. After gaining some experience he set up his own garden
maintenance business. A change in family circumstances resulted in a move to
Guildford in Surrey. He was then employed by Martin Slocock at Knaphill Nursery
which was famous for its rhododendrons and azaleas. As well as working in the
nursery he also looked after Mr. Slococks private garden. A highlight of this
period was his involvement in setting up exhibits for the Chelsea Flower
Show.
His next appointment was as gardener at
Great Tangley Manor West, a moated Elizabethan house with a five acre garden.
Following this he went to work for Lady Heald at Chilworth Manor in Surrey.
Here he was responsible for the maintenance and further development of a nine
acre garden with a history going back to the 13th century. Lady Heald was, for
many years, President of the National Gardens Scheme and Chilworth opened its
gates for that charity for twenty five days each year. Crispin has continued
his support for the NGS by opening Norwood for the charity three times a
year.
Throughout his life tending to other
people's gardens Crispin has always yearned to design his own large garden from
scratch. The process of converting green fields to the gardens you see today at
Norwood represents the realisation of that dream.
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Michael Oliver
Michael was
born in Great Malvern in Worcestershire. He spent his childhood there and
latterly in the village of Hanley Castle. His family then moved to Tunbridge
Wells. Michael continued his education there and in Chatham. He served an
apprenticeship with the then British Aircraft Corporation in Stevenage,
Hertfordshire, qualifying as an electronics design engineer.
He has enjoyed a varied career in electronics including a
number of years designing electron microscopes. He was appointed Chief
Electronics Engineer in a company designing and manufacturing X-ray screening
equipment for baggage and freight.
After
opting for early retirement from the industry he followed the trend of
abandoning the 'rat race' and teamed up with Crispin to set up the gardens and
tea room here at Norwood.
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