Archive #35/65: The grounds of Lindisfarne

It consisted of all the land that extends from the western side of the present Front-Circle, right up to the Girls’ High and Frimley Park boundaries, going as far as, and including the present Mitchell Villa carpark.

The 1956 Chronicle captures the essence of the contribution of three men who played such a vital role in those days. “Mr Wake [in charge of the Grounds] and Mr Anderson [who kept the Vegetables coming], have performed their usual prodigious versatility in the Grounds and Lindisfarne. Mr Wake, hauling the newly acquired Gang-mower at speed, provided a welcome source of free entertainment during the latter part of the year. Mr Curry, has continued to keep the Farne in ‘apple pie’ order.” All vegetables grown in the garden were used by the Kitchen and any surplus was sold.

In 1976, The Rector’s love of the outdoors as well as his interest in native and introduced fauna, saw the design and construction of a large Aviary and bird-house, which surrounded the huge Magnolia tree, adjacent to the Homestead Lawn. Peacocks came from John Falloon and his wife, and these birds joined silver and golden pheasants, parakeets, cockatiels, pigeons, doves, canaries, budgerigars, finches and quail. All were introduced by the Rector and cared for, by him and the boys.

In 1984, all the specimen trees in the College grounds were labeled with name plates, showing each tree’s botanical name, along with the year in which each tree was planted. This task was carried out by Mr R Alexander, after the discovery that, among the trees planted by E J Herrick in the 1930’s and 40’s, was New Zealand’s largest specimen of Nyssa sylvatica. Further research revealed that other trees on the Lindisfarne’s grounds to be listed in the National Nurseryman’s Catalogue were the Quercus canariensis by the entrance to the Gymnasium, the Quercus alnafolia, the shrubby oak at the bridge over the fishpond, the Aesculus carnea by the Staffroom and the Quercus robor by the medical centre’.

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