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Part II - in which Rod, having journeyed westwards from Hampshire, arrives at the Eden Project in Cornwall. The visitor to the Eden Project, near St Austell in Cornwall, is first confronted by a vast clay-pit, now long disused for quarrying and taken over by a charitable trust and limited company, re-landscaped and built upon in order to provide: An International Visitor Attraction A Resource for Education a Foundation for the Future - and its mission statement (fashionable in managerial circles, and containing high-order intentions) is: To promote the understanding and responsible management of the vital relationship between plants, people and resources, leading towards a sustainable future for all. It is advertised as a global garden for the 21st century, housed largely in two segmented 'biomes' - one a Humid Tropical Zone and the other a Temperate Zone. The structures are great bubbles, on geodesic principles first proposed by that great but largely forgotten genius Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983). This man, an engineer, architect, poet and philosopher had searched for a design pattern that could maximise the social uses of the world's energy sources. He designed the geodesic dome, a freestanding structure on earth in which the weight of internal air was greater than the weight of the structural fabric. It may be recalled by older readers that there was a wonderful anecdote about this intellectual giant - Khruschev of the USSR, on visiting the President of the United States, immediately after the initial introductions, asked to see Buckminster Fuller for advice and help. The geodesic principle in the biomes is perceived as tessellating hexagons, of a substance called ETFE (ethyltetrafluoroethylene) which lets in the maximum light, (including uV) and is regarded as the largest greenhouse in the world. The final design structure of geometrical shapes is called hex-tri-hex. Before getting to the entrance I was not short of advice from previous visitors to the attraction. They counselled me: (a) To get there early - as soon as the attraction opened (9.30.am.) This I did. (b) To obtain the necessary tickets beforehand - done also. (c) To use the restaurant in preference to the café. Very well advised. - in these ways it is possible to avoid the inevitable queues which form even on a weekday, it being one of the most popular sites in the western hemisphere. Once inside there are various routes and tortuous paths to get to the attractions. One is confronted with Visitor Centres - as for example a circular hut containing all there is to know about the celebrated Indigo dye, the colour of which is highly desired for certain modern garments - denim jeans, originally 'de Nimes' in France. There is an excellent hall, exhibiting and allowing visitors to try their skills in basket making and garden supports, essentially from rustic willow. The fascinated observer is taken through the many processes and rural skills needed to produce woven work. There are presentation areas about such industries as tea growing and processing. All ages are catered for with various types of sculpture, rest areas, stories and quizzes for children. Having received further advice, I went first into the Temperate Zone Biome where there grew wild and cultivated plants. Each of the biomes is in four sections, in the form of a fat segmented worm, connected in the middle by refreshment and comfort areas. It is possible to wander comfortably through this temperate climate, pausing to examine information - historical - mythical - medicinal as well as botanical, about the growing exhibits. It is well and appropriately advertised as a Living Theatre of Plants and People.
The next attraction, the Tropical Humid Zone rapidly exhausts the energy and it is advisable not to be too energetic here. There are periodic escape routes for those who cannot stand the atmosphere for long, and even a cabin near the spectacular waterfall where icy recuperating air can revive those too overcome by the heat and humidity. Connexion is made here between plants and their industrial uses - rubber, chocolate, oils, varnishes... and the keen observer is treated to a deeply educative tour. Inside there are dwelling structures, such as bamboo houses and other shelters and information about such diverse products as those derived from cacao, chicle, groundnuts and coca. Everything is of absorbing interest and delight. In the administrative area at the project entrance and exit, where I took my way after six hours of concentrated attention, there are further attractions at which to marvel, and books to study as well as exotic plants to buy. On the return journey I enjoyed the delightful countryside of this fair land, stopping briefly to admire the functionality in addition to the artistry in that hill fort called Maiden Castle. In the town of Dorchester, where I walked the route of the walls of the Roman Town and took my ease along the lazy river, I chanced upon some further interests: statues by Elizabeth Frink of the English Martyrs, a most moving collection of sculptures of those who died horrible deaths whilst steadfastly adhering to their faith. I noticed that most of these martyrdoms occurred during the 17th century religious upheavals in this country. remains of a Roman Town House. Originally excavated before the war by Sir Mortimer Wheeler, it was rediscovered and restored to its present state in 1996. It is a remarkable example of the sophistication of Roman buildings, a legacy which we inherit. I was gratified to identify some of the preserved floor mosaics, particularly the rope and guilloche patterns which I teach in my classes. Truly, with its heritage and traditions, its history, valiant people and glorious future, we can, like John of Gaunt say: "This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England!" ROD DAWSON |
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page last updated 20 JULY 2002 |
