Yes, I know it's past Christmas already, but in the alternate universe of this blog - it's not called Topsy Turvy for nothing - we're still in September. Stick with me, it's autumn, Christmas Carols haven't been heard yet, in fact, Halloween is still on the horizon. I've got a bit of catching up to do.
We're back at Wakehurst (which you may recall is part of Kew), the autumn colours are beautiful and it's time for that cream tea.
The Millenium Seed Bank is our destination. This is an exciting place. Built in 2000, the initial aim was to store all seeds from the UK's native plant species. They managed to do this almost completely by 2009 - the first country to have preserved it's botanical heritage. The current aim is to bank 25% of the world's plant species by 2020.
It's also quite a beautiful space. Spacious, light and airy with displays worthy of an art gallery. Above ground are three glass sections containing exhibition spaces, seed preparation areas and laboratories. Below ground are the vast storage vaults.
Seeds are collected from all over the world by an associated global network - Australia, Mexico, Chile, Kenya, China, USA, Jordan, Mali, Malawi, Madagascar, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Tanzania, Saudia Arabia, Lebanon and South Africa.
In the future any seed can be germinated and reintroduced to the wild, or used in scientific research, or let's go really sci-fi now - repopulating a new planet! (Yes, I'm a sci-fi fan and have a vivid imagination).
Style and form.
The giant flower sculptures are by artist Tom Hare.
Giant tree roots by Mother Nature. Reminiscent of Lord of the Rings.
Toadstools! This really is a magical place. Probably deadly though.
These are more friendly - also by Tom Hare. He used purpose built steel frames and then wove different shades of willow stems around them to create this wonderful effect.
Read more at: https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/village-voice/mega-mushrooms-set-to-spring-up-at-wakehurst-place-1-6021562
Tom has worked closely
with fungi experts at Kew to ensure the designs are scientifically
accurate – as well as being visually stunning. Each sculpture is
painstakingly created by weaving willow stems around purpose built steel
frames, with different shades of willow used to create different colour
effects.
Read more at: https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/village-voice/mega-mushrooms-set-to-spring-up-at-wakehurst-place-1-6021562
Read more at: https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/village-voice/mega-mushrooms-set-to-spring-up-at-wakehurst-place-1-6021562
Tom has worked closely
with fungi experts at Kew to ensure the designs are scientifically
accurate – as well as being visually stunning. Each sculpture is
painstakingly created by weaving willow stems around purpose built steel
frames, with different shades of willow used to create different colour
effects.
Read more at: https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/village-voice/mega-mushrooms-set-to-spring-up-at-wakehurst-place-1-6021562
Read more at: https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/village-voice/mega-mushrooms-set-to-spring-up-at-wakehurst-place-1-6021562
Read more at: https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/village-voice/mega-mushrooms-set-to-spring-up-at-wakehurst-place-1-6021562
Tom has worked closely
with fungi experts at Kew to ensure the designs are scientifically
accurate – as well as being visually stunning. Each sculpture is
painstakingly created by weaving willow stems around purpose built steel
frames, with different shades of willow used to create different colour
effects.
Read more at: https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/village-voice/mega-mushrooms-set-to-spring-up-at-wakehurst-place-1-6021562
Read more at: https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/village-voice/mega-mushrooms-set-to-spring-up-at-wakehurst-place-1-6021562
That's it for the moment. Time for a glass of wine.
