Elizabeth Dobbie and the garden at Arnos Lodge
Geraldine Anwar, secretary of the Friends of Broomfield Park conservatory group, tells the story of the garden of Elizabeth's home - which, uniquely, is located within Arnos Park.
Broomfield Conservatory volunteers welcome in 2018. Elizabeth Dobbie is in the centre, showing off an award from Enfield in Bloom
Arnos Park Lodge is tucked away in a corner of Arnos Park opposite the tennis courts. If you travel from Southgate, you may have glimpsed the house and garden as the London-bound Piccadilly line train approaches Arnos Grove Station.
When Elizabeth purchased the property in 2006 it was the Park Keeper’s house and very much part of the park. The right side of the garden was hardstanding and used to store parks’ vehicles. Elizabeth has turned this area into a gravel garden and attractive storage area. The bin stores have a living roof. Most of the garden was laid out to lawn. The pond was already in place but was completely overgrown. In 2007 Elizabeth started to transform the garden.
Elizabeth has created a "living roof" on top of the bin storage area
Elizabeth said ,“I was living in Camden in a terraced house with a typical small inner city garden. It was always my ambition to have a large garden when I retired.” Prior to her retirement Elizabeth went on courses run by the RHS and became a qualified horticulturist. Initially her aim was to get part time work. In the end all her time and energy went into her own garden and then volunteering in Broomfield Park.
Looking through the rose arch in Elizabeth's garden
Elizabeth was one of the founder members of Friends of Broomfield Park committee. The Council refurbished the Conservatory in 2010 with no plans for its future. Elizabeth was persuaded to lead the team of volunteers who set out to create a fully planted and functioning Conservatory. Her knowledge of plants and their care has been invaluable. As well as the planting, Elizabeth has been involved in significant improvements. She helped to track down the railings from the Palmers Green triangle which were then refurbished and installed in front of the Conservatory, enhancing its appearance.
The pond in the garden of Arnos Lodge
Elizabeth has been opening her garden to the public since 2011. It has been a significant fund raiser for the Conservatory. The seven openings have raised a total of £2,800. All good things have to come to an end. We would like this year to be special as a thank you to Elizabeth for all the effort she has put in over the years. If you would like the chance to see a unique garden do come along on Sunday 24th June from 2.00-5.00pm
