Comments on: Thomas Fairchild, Gardener of Hoxton

By: Penelope Darby

Penelope Darby — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 16:23:46 +0000

I have just received this article from The Gentle Author (lovely series) When my family move to a new council flat (in 1950), my brother and I went to Thomas Fairchild primary school in Napier Street, just off Wenlock Street. I had no idea of his history but will try to find the park. My father ended his days (after my mother died) in sheltered accommodation in Goldsmith’s Row, just off Hackney Road and almost opposite the road leading to Columbia Road flower market. What a lot of history Shoreditch holds for so many. Thank you.

By: Rick Hares

Rick Hares — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 12:22:23 +0000

We visited Fairchild’s Park on Saturday 9/10/20. My mother lived in Waterson Street and her house #31 backed on to this park. She knew little about it. Other than there was a shelter in the right hand corner during the war. And that they called it cats park. Due to all the cats, it was also the place her mother passed away in.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 20:30:49 +0000

A fine article on Thomas Fairchild appears in last weekend’s (18-19 March 2017) Financial Times http://www.ft.com/content/64451cc4-07f3-11e7-ac5a-903b21361b43, among which this:
“though the possession of an inquisitive mind and a knack for experimentation, Thomas Fairchild made a significant contribution to horticulture and to the progression of modern science. The work he carried out not only advanced our understanding of plant genetics, but gathered part of the evidence that paved the way for the theory of evolution.”

By: Vicky

Vicky — Thu, 19 May 2016 16:11:52 +0000

I visited this garden today, five years on, hoping to find it transformed into a delightful tranquil garden reflecting something of Thomas Fairchild’s vision for a City garden. Oh, how disappointing! It is still neglected with rubbish in the corners and large Hackney Council refuse bins stored higgledy piggledy in front of the information boards. The grass was long and full of daisies which would normally enchant, but they didn’t. It’s a dogs toilet now, not a space for passers by to stroll in and I came away gloomy. Whatever happened to the grand plans and promised funding for this special place?

By: Helen Smith

Helen Smith — Sun, 21 Feb 2016 16:58:32 +0000

Have just listened to a rather poor feature on Gardener’s Question Time mentioning Thomas Fairchild – but was fascinated by the information about Thomas Fairchild’s vineyard and nursery. No more information or link on the GQT website but looking further found this website and wondered if, 5 years after the restoration project of the tomb was suggested, anything has in fact happened ? It seemed from the programme it’s still overgrown and neglected and this does seem a shame. Surely it wouldn’t take more than a few hours of group work to clear it up ?

By: Armyn Hennessy

Armyn Hennessy — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 03:49:52 +0000

20.2.2016 Many years ago, I came looking for Fairchild’s grave and found it heavily mossed and obscured by a large bush over the top. So I obtained a hacksaw and cut the bush back and scraped off the moss. To do this I had to get access through the pub next door and explain myself. It turned out to be a bar with a load of drinky men paying for viewing sex acts confined to an open ended cubicle not much bigger than a bench placed on the floor. I thought it sad that so historic a person should come to be buried in so neglected a spot and wondered if his grave might be transferred to the RHS garden at Wisley where he’s be well honoured and celebrated. It’s an idea. Armyn Hennessy

By: Laurien

Laurien — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 16:09:21 +0000

link to Thomas Fairchild biography

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ingenious-Mr-Fairchild-Forgotten-Father-Flower/dp/0747273596/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452960308&sr=1-3&keywords=thomas+fairchild

By: Shangha1

Shangha1 — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 16:28:47 +0000

One of the plants (Arum trilobatum) cultivated by Thomas Fairchild is included in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine Plate 2324.
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=V04CAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PR54&lpg=RA1-PR54&dq=thomas+fairchild+curtis&source=bl&ots=GWLr2ksa5h&sig=Ax71YiuRYaMED7G1X3_QuJPpf1o&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjKice9wYvKAhVLWxoKHUsTAhM4ChDoAQgbMAE#v=onepage&q=thomas%20fairchild%20curtis&f=false

By: Sylvia Fairchild

Sylvia Fairchild — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 10:01:54 +0000

My husbands family name is Fairchild and Father in law Henry was born in Hertfordshire. Does anyone know anymore about the Thomas Fairchild family. Also when I was a child I lived in Mare Street Hackney. My father in law also used to love gardening. I would be pleased to hear from anyone who knew anything more about the family. Thankyou

By: Caroline Murray

Caroline Murray — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:03:30 +0000

Thanks for this fascinating article, which I came across while blogging on John Nichols’ ‘Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century’: you might like to look at: http://cambridgelibrarycollection.wordpress.com/2014/08/15/not-so-boring-after-all/