A letter from Richard Sudell and a turn of fate

Discovering a letter from Richard Sudell in a box of my late mother's correspondence brought back memories that influenced the choice of my own career. She was awarded a Bachelor of Science (Horticulture) degree in 1945 by the University of London and studied at Wye Collage in Kent which was part of the University at that time. My mother worked for Richard Sudell from 1947 to the end of 1948. For me what was also of interest was the discovery that Sudell had been a founder member of the Institute of Landscape Architects which was formed in 1929.

My mother spoke of those years of working and helping Sudell with his articles and books. She ghost wrote the gardening column which was published in The Daily Mail and helped with the design and construction of his garden entry for the first post war Daily Mail Ideal Homes Exhibition held in Olympia in 1947. Sudell was a prolific author and she had two of his many books, Herbaceous Borders and the Waterside dated 1937 and Landscape Gardening dated 1948.  

Pat Loxton, Photograph 1947

Regarding my own career, I had considered becoming a farmer, but soon realised that there would be no prospect of becoming an owner. Forestry was then considered, but at that time the Forestry Commission (although offering very generous graduate schemes) was busy covering the countryside with Sitka Spruce. My mother, always with a wise word, suggested a career in Landscape Architecture this I am sure was as a result of her experiences working for Richard Sudell.  A worthwhile career for which I am so grateful.

Mark Loxton

May 2020