Working on the border (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Working on the border

AS the weather warms up and gardeners start thinking about what to plant in their borders they should spare a thought for Littlecote House head gardener Grosvenor Russell-Allen and his team of six.

They have more than half a mile of borders to maintain.

One border alone, which runs along a canalised stream from the River Kennet, is 500 feet long. Nine years ago Littlecote House became a Warner Hotel for grown ups. Thousands of people a year take advantage of the hotel's four-day breaks, Mondays to Fridays and Fridays to Mondays.

Mr Russell-Allen, 39, and his staff maintain a total of 113 acres, the majority is parkland but there are 40 acres of formal gardens. Rare breed sheep help keep the grass short in the parkland areas but there are enormous lawns that still need mowing.

Mr Russell-Allen expected to stay for just one week when he joined the grounds staff at Littlecote nine years ago, at the same time as Warners took over the historic house on the Wiltshire-Berkshire border. He said: "My sister was working in the housekeeping department and asked me to come over and give them a hand in the gardens. I intended to stay for a week but they offered me a regular job and I have been here since."

He was appointed head gardener five years ago and said he relishes every moment of working in the gardens.