HELENA BONHAM CARTER CBE
CONGRATULATIONS on your well deserved NEW YEARS HONOUR
Article by Roger Giles
Helena Bonhan Carter enjoying the Gold Medal Winner "Fenland Alchemist Garden" at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
“Thank you for what you did to our self belief by lifting our spirits and putting us back on track again knowing that dream could come true.”
Let us hope that we can be credited in helping you on your journey by allowing you into a little bit of Fenland that we had created at the RHS Chelsea Show on the back of the truths, myths and legends of witchcraft and alchemists that are rife in this part of Fenland and that you were shortly to visit as part of your life’s journey.
IS THIS REALITY OR FICTION ?
[No doubt as you climbed the stile into the Alchemists Garden you would have felt good vibes from “Fen Ben” who was there only hours earlier and although in your capacity of the wicked witch Bellatrix Lestrange who had been persecuting his half blood relation, you would have felt he bore you no grudge, his strong character would have overcome Lestrange’s wicked tendancies and as you emerged from the garden over the stile you clearly lost any of that wicked connection you had assumed. Your wonderful matter of fact character your parents gave you would have taken over prior to visiting our Fenland Cathedral City of Ely, not as the wicked witch but as Queen Elizabeth.”]
The whole team and I met with Helena and her mother who were the first superstars to visit our Fen Alchemist Garden on Royal Chelsea Monday.
Our team had worked so hard to create a bit of Fenland magic in the heart of London at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The whole crew had been pushing themselves consistently beyond their mental and physical limits in the build up to the show, but our garden had been judged and we were in the doldrums of the agonising wait all day on the Chelsea Royal Monday and Celeb Day until results would be given out on Tuesday morning.
JANE WHO PASSIONATELY WANTED TO SUCCEED HAD A BAD NIGHT
I must admit, we were beginning as the adrenaline subsided, to fall apart a bit and Fen Designer, Jane, was most affected as she had a nightmare believing that the Chelsea Committee had sent a letter telling her never to attempt to come to the show again and we also had to stop Jane from trying to stay in the garden all night.
“FEN BEN” APPEARED
Jane could have rested easily in her bed at the weekend once “Fen Ben” appeared in the garden.
Magic definitely seemed to be afoot, as just before the judging took place, all the leaves on the plants that were hanging down had lifted themselves up to face the sun in the nick of time, giving the garden we hade built in a week the appearance it had been there forever
HELENA & HER MOTHER WORE PERIOD COSTUMES
I had noticed that Helena and her mother were making a beeline for our garden at this time and I did not know who they were, but my eyes were attracted to the period costumes they were wearing – these were the first superstars of the day!
We listened intently to their wonderful comments on the garden and with these comments the whole mood of the team seemed to lift and lighten and high excitement was on the cards again. The atmosphere was electric with good vibes sparking off all over the place.
I suppose looking back, as the garden was designed to feed the truths, myths and legends of Fenland witches and Alchemists.
ATTRACTED THE ULTIMATE WITCH
Whether we had got a gold medal or not our joint team had made it by attracting as the first high profile visitor, the ultimate Witch Bellatrix Lestrange, who was clearly very impressed.
GOLD MEDAL & “BEST IN SHOW”
We were on a roll again and our belief was back and nothing could stop us. We were only mildly surprised when we were handed the two awards, Gold Medal & Best in Show on Tuesday morning
Just check out the video which had been taken shortly before judging and you will see the leaves showing their bad sides. http://www.gileslandscapes-chelsea.moonfruit.com/#/film/4536849695
As is not surprising we have been following Helena’s career since our meeting at the Flower Show.
On the day of the New Year’s Honours Awards there was a fair bit of Harry Potter stuff and J K Rowling was interviewed and I got the distinct impression that perhaps after a period of time there would be something else after Harry Potter.
J K ROWLING INVITED TO SKATE ON FEN ICE IN THE MOONLIGHT
I would like to point out to this wonderful lady that we would be pleased to invite her to skate on the real Fen Ice as the sun is going down or in the moonlight to draw inspiration from the wonderful Fenland vibes and magic.
If you just check out the little video the Guardian made last year as the film ends there is just a taster as the sun is going down. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cliDqQWJr0
We don’t really know why Helena and her mother seemed so taken with the garden, probably it was just its theatrical angle and it suited them or maybe Helena knew she was cast as Queen Elizabeth in the King’s Speech which would mainly be shot on location in the Fenland area where we lived.
But we do know the kind remarks and attention from them was very encouraging for us at that stage of the competition
PS – “FEN BEN” CAUSED CONFUSION
The last time “Fen Ben” was seen in public, people who new him as a child did not recognise him.
Also a member of The Fenland Harley Davidson Chapter shook his hand thinking he was Denise from Grunty Fenn [Goldie says Father]
The BBC presenter who interviewed him thought he was a UK Gold Medallist but apologised for her mix up and was very embarrassed.
