A Visit from Elderly Relatives

Wilf's recently had some old family friends drop by to the garden. They're certainly looking crumbly in their old age!
 

 

 

Lampy, the first Garden Gnome

Wilf might look like an old codger to some of you (a claim he would firmly deny), but in the world of

Garden Gnomes, little old Wilf is a spring chicken! A familiar sight in many gardens, Wilf and his kind are considered synonymous with traditional British gardening, and are alternately seen as cute, camp or kitsch depending upon just who you’re talking to.

Regardless, what is now a well-rooted cultural aspect of this nation’s gardens was once an exotic addition to the lawns of only the most eccentric lords and ladies. Gnomes were instead a familiar legend in German folk stories, where they would willingly help tend people’s gardens in the middle of the night. In the mid-19^th century, sculptor Philip Griebel made these legends real by adapting the tradition for porcelain “House Dwarfs” to outdoor, terracotta ornaments. The first garden gnomes were born.

In 1847, Sir Charles Isham paid a visit to Germany, and returned home with twenty-one such gnomes. After decorating them around the grounds of Lamport Hall, a nation-wide love for garden dwelling visitors quickly kicked off amongst the upper class, and the rise of the British gnome began in earnest.

Unfortunately, Sir Isham’s daughter wasn’t such a fan of these mythical creatures, and quickly had them all removed from the estate after her father’s death. All, that is, except one. Now known as ‘Lampy, the Garden Gnome’, this diminutive little figure is the oldest living garden gnome not merely in Britain, but across the globe. Having seen more than a century and a half of history go by, this 150 year old gnome proudly resides within Lamport Hall, and is believed to be worth a cool £2 million.

For Wilf, 150 years isn’t a dream. It’s a (potentially rather lofty) goal!

Woodland Wilf gets a Change of Wardrobe

Wilf's always been a big fan of mucking in and trying out new things. The fact that Wilf's been spotted not only helping out in the garden, but playing football, painting serene watercolour scenes and, of course, whittling his Woodland Friends figures proves that this gnome is an outgoing one, always willing to explore new horizons.

So it should come as no surprise that Wilf will soon be trying his hand at a few new hobbies, all of which will feature in a brand new series of figures, due out later this year. Wilf's already dropped a few image hints on social media, shared again here, but he's remaining tight lipped on just what's to come for the Woodland Wilf series. He is, however, willing to drop a couple more teasers.

Garden gnomes recently made their debut at the Chelsea Flower Show, when the event's 100 year ban on 'Mystical Creatures' was temporarily lifted as part of its centenary celebrations. Whilst this did of course allow for Wilf and his fellow gnomekind to frolic amongst the likes of Alan Titchmarch, David Domoney and Her Royal Highness, he strongly opposes the suggestion that gnomes are anything like 'mythical' or 'fictional' beings. His bruised knees - a result of chasing down the frogs to get back his hat - feel rather real when he wakes up every morning.

Nevertheless, Wilf's game for a laugh, and for those who do feel gnomes belong amongst the ranks of Tolkienesque fantasy, his new wand should prove a particular delight...

In fact, some would say Wilf may have 'Seen the Light'!