Derbyshire Garden Celebrated in Exhibition and Book by Photographer Ashley Franklin
Milford-based professional photographer Ashley Franklin is set to celebrate a remarkable Derbyshire garden through an exhibition and accompanying book. The exhibition, titled Garden of Plenty, opens at Belper Library on Saturday, April 18, and honors Colin and Gill Hancock's 11-acre garden and woodland at 334 Belper Road in Stanley Common. This picturesque site was previously featured by Alan Titchmarsh on his Channel 4 show Love Your Garden.
A Passion Project Captured Over Two Years
Ashley Franklin explains his inspiration: 'I had long known Colin and Gill as keen members of my weekly Belper Ritz Silver Screen shows. After watching that TV feature, I was compelled to explore their wonderful garden with my camera. It turned into a passion project which involved photographing the garden for over two years.' His timing is impeccable, as this summer marks the Hancocks' 50th wedding anniversary and the 50th anniversary of their garden.
The couple moved into their Stanley Common bungalow as newlyweds with little gardening knowledge. The seeds of this Eden were sown by Gill's father, who encouraged her to grow potatoes. Sensing potential in the existing rose garden, apple trees, and pond, the Hancocks purchased horticultural books and a few flowering plants. Over two decades later, in 1997, they opened their garden for the first time as part of the National Open Garden Scheme.
Evolution of a Natural Paradise
By 1997, the garden featured a laburnum tunnel, rose and wisteria domes, and a widened wildlife pond. Today, 334 Belper Road is more than just a garden. After inheriting 25 acres of adjacent farmland from Gill's father, UK Coal mined and restored 10 acres, helping the Hancocks create their own woodland with a half-acre lake. The woodland now hosts several hundred trees and swathes of marsh orchids.
Ashley hopes his photos do justice to the garden, noting: 'What makes it so enchanting is that it’s neither wild nor orderly; it’s just beautifully natural.' Colin Hancock adds: 'We never wanted our garden to be trim and regimented; just one that looks unpretentious and unspoilt.' Gill Hancock explains: 'The reason it didn’t turn into a manicured, formal garden is that there was never any grand plan; it just evolved.'
Exhibition Details and Charity Impact
The exhibition runs from April 18 to 25 at Belper Library, displaying two dozen large mounted prints showcasing various aspects of the garden, including:
- A laburnum tunnel
- A shepherd’s hut
- A wildlife pond
- A woodland lake with diverse tree species
- Studies of flowers like Marsh Orchid, Japanese Anemone, Snowdrop, and Tansy
The 100-page book Garden of Plenty will be on sale for £20 during the exhibition. Belper Library's hours are:
- Saturdays: 9am to 2.30pm
- Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm (except Tuesday, open until 6pm)
Ashley will be present throughout the exhibition, with Colin and Gill joining at various times. The garden has been part of the National Open Garden Scheme for 29 years, raising over £60,000 for charity.
Future Open Days and Visits
Following the exhibition, the garden at 334 Belper Road, Stanley Common (DE7 6FY), will open as part of the National Garden Scheme on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, June 7. Admission is £5, with free entry for children. Group visits for up to 30 people can be arranged from April 11 to June 27. Contact via email at gillandcolinhancock@gmail.com or phone at 01159 301061.
