Latest news with #HighgroveHouseandGardens
Irish Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I worked for King Charles for 21 years and one Monday comment showed all'
King Charles III's former gardener has spilled the beans on what it was truly like tending to the Royal greenery. Jack Stooks, who served for 21 years at Highgrove House and Gardens, the family home of King Charles and Queen Camilla, has given an inside look into his role as a landscaper for the estate until his exit in 2024. Jack talked about how he was initially taken aback by the "normality" of the monarch and his proactive involvement in the garden's upkeep. He found it "quite odd" to receive instructions directly from the King at first but grew to appreciate the monarch's hands-on style of management. "He was very much on the ball all the time. If he came home at the weekend, he would be out in the garden checking what's been done, what hasn't been done," Jack divulged. Apparently, there was one regular remark made by King Charles on a Monday morning that really demonstrated his true nature, reports OK!. "He would be like, 'This needs doing, that needs doing'," Jack recounted, adding that it was gratifying to work for someone so observant and involved. "He was interested in the garden he knew what was going on. So, we all had the sense of satisfaction that we would get something right and know that it was actually being enjoyed and admired by the person who owns it." Throughout his time at Highgrove, Jack not only had interactions with King Charles but also encountered Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, along with Prince Harry. Meghan Markle expressed her surprise at the level of formality within the Royal Family in her Netflix documentary with Prince Harry. Recalling her first meeting with Prince William and Kate Middleton, she noted, "I guess I started to understand very quickly that the formality on the outside carried through on the inside." The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Meghan had anticipated a more relaxed atmosphere behind closed doors, saying, "[I thought there would be] a forward-facing way of being, and then you close the door and go, 'You can relax now', but that formality carries over on both sides. And that was surprising to me." However, Jack, who has had interactions with the Royal Family, including King Charles, described them as surprisingly "normal". Speaking on behalf of Prime Casino, he shared, "I think for me it's just the normality of how they are as people, and, you know, I think when people are looking in from outside they go, 'Oh why do we have to give them our little bit of money every year? We shouldn't have to do that, how dare they, he's not our King, he is not this, he's not that', but the amount of work they do for the country is just immense." Jack praised King Charles, calling him a "trooper" for his dedication to his duties despite his health struggles. "You see the amount of work he's still doing and he's just not giving up," Jack said. "He could just say, you know, 'I'm ill, I can't do this' and the country will go. Okay, fine But he's like no, I've got a sense of duty. "He just forces himself to carry on and carry on, and it's amazing to see that and see how they are as people for that. Camilla as well, the Queen, she could step back and not do that much. But again, you know, there she is supporting him all the time."
Kuwait Times
25-05-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
Cardiff mural celebrates 125 years of UK–Kuwait ties
The British Embassy in Kuwait and Cardiff University have announced the completion of a collaborative mural celebrating 125 years of official diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Kuwait. Painted by British artist Lee Ferry, the mural is the second and final part of a public art project that began last year in Kuwait. The first murals, located at the British Embassy in Kuwait and completed in November, depict elements of UK and Kuwaiti cultures, with a focus on their shared postage and maritime history. The newly unveiled murals are located in Trevithick Gardens, a popular green space on the Cardiff University campus. They highlight the cultural ties between the UK and Kuwait through symbols such as the Welsh dragon and daffodil alongside the Kuwaiti falcon and arfaj flower. Traditional Sadu and Celtic patterns are woven into the design, while a bee and butterfly symbolize the garden's role as a haven for biodiversity and student wellbeing. British Ambassador to Kuwait Belinda Lewis welcomed the mural's completion as part of a series of events celebrating the 125-year milestone. 'Joint celebrations to mark 125 years of official diplomatic relations served to highlight our two countries' unique partnership and showcase the creativity and talent from the UK's four home nations,' she said. The murals at the British Embassy in Kuwait. 'From the creation of this beautiful new mural at Wales' Cardiff University; to author/illustrator Clive McFarland's visit which offered a glimpse of Northern Ireland's vibrant literary scene; to the creation of a special 'Partnership 125' tartan combining Scottish and Kuwaiti weaving materials, patterns, colours and techniques; to the launch of a horticultural exchange programme at England's Highgrove House and Gardens, celebrations have involved every corner of the UK,' she added. Professor Rudolf Allemann, Pro Vice-Chancellor for International at Cardiff University, praised the mural as a symbol of cultural collaboration. "This beautiful artwork at the heart of Trevithick Gardens celebrates 125 years of partnership with Kuwait. Cardiff University has a long tradition of welcoming students from Kuwait, and the mural reflects this by bringing together Kuwaiti and Celtic traditions and imagery. It symbolises the ambitions of this international partnership to create positive change and drive innovation that builds a better world for generations to come," he said. Artist Lee Ferry, founder of Custom Artwerk, said the mural was inspired by his visit to Kuwait last year. 'It was an absolute honour to be asked to design and paint this mural. I sought to draw on my experiences visiting Kuwait last year, which allowed me to get a feel for the country, culture and its shared history with the UK. Using what I had learned about the partnership between our two countries and throwing Welsh culture in the mix, I eventually came up with a mural that brings together our respective national identities. I've loved taking on this challenge and am thrilled that I got to learn something new while adding a splash of colour to brighten up everyday life. "
Arab Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Arab Times
UK–Kuwait Mural Project Completed in Cardiff
KUWAIT CITY, May 22: The British Embassy and Cardiff University are proud to announce the completion of a collaborative mural. Commissioned during last year's celebrations to mark a century and a quarter of UK-Kuwait official diplomatic relations, the mural - painted by British artist Lee Ferry, is the second and final part of a public art project that commenced in Kuwait last year. The first part, completed at the British Embassy in November, reflects elements of the UK and Kuwait's respective cultures, and shared postage and maritime history. This new second part, situated in Trevithick Gardens—a popular green space within the Cardiff University campus— celebrates the cultural richness that has underpinned the UK–Kuwait partnership across more than 125 years. Featuring the Welsh dragon and daffodil alongside the Kuwaiti falcon and Arfaj flower, it skilfully interweaves traditional Kuwaiti Sadu and Celtic patterns - while a bee and butterfly reflect the garden's role as a space for biodiversity and student wellbeing. Welcoming the mural's completion, Her Excellency Belinda Lewis, British Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, said: 'Joint celebrations to mark 125 years of official diplomatic relations served to highlight our two countries' unique partnership and to showcase the creativity and talent from the UK's four home nations. From the creation of this beautiful new mural at Wales' Cardiff University; to author / illustrator Clive McFarland's visit which offered a glimpse of Northern Ireland's vibrant literary scene; to the creation of a special "Partnership 125" tartan combining Scottish and Kuwaiti weaving materials, patterns, colours and techniques; to the launch of a horticultural exchange programme at England's Highgrove House and Gardens, celebrations have involved every corner of the UK.' Professor Rudolf Allemann, Pro Vice-Chancellor for International at Cardiff University stated: "This beautiful artwork at the heart of Trevithick Gardens celebrates 125 years of partnership with Kuwait. Cardiff University has a long tradition of welcoming students from Kuwait, and the mural reflects this by bringing together Kuwaiti and Celtic traditions and imagery. It symbolises the ambitions of this international partnership to create positive change and drive innovation that builds a better world for generations to come." British artist and founder of Custom Artwerk, Lee Ferry added: 'It was an absolute honour to be asked to design and paint this mural. I sought to draw on my experiences visiting Kuwait last year, which allowed me to get a feel for the country, culture and its shared history with the UK. Using what I had learned about the partnership between our two countries and throwing Welsh culture in the mix, I eventually came up with a mural that brings together our respective national identities. I've loved taking on this challenge and am thrilled that I got to learn something new while adding a splash of colour to brighten up everyday life. "
