Near the airport, on the side of one of the busiest roads in Christchurch, is an oasis of calm and loveliness. It is the Avice Hill Reserve, so called because the area was bequeathed to the city by Avice Hill, the Lavender Lady. It is also home to the Avice Hill Crafts Centre, the Canterbury Potters Association and the Canterbury Herb Society. We visited today and had the entire Reserve to ourselves; except for the birds.
The birds, many and varied, were concentrated in the plum trees. One of trees was over laden with small, yellow, sweet and ultra delicious, plums. Some went in my mouth and some in to my pocket, and they were so good I need to collect some more.
Are they Mirabelle plums?
Free fall plums and mind where you tread!
The herb garden was full and flourishing
and here, for a moment, you could catch up with time
for it was very still.
Once rested, there were treasures to find like this pot in the herb garden (oh dear!),
and trees to love
and benches to rest upon ( in comfort?)
and then information to read. Notice, I am on a wayward path again because the information board is at the entrance to the Reserve and I am reading it on my way out!
This is Avice Hill. She was born in 1906 and died in 2001.
Here is part of her story.
She worked as an entomologist in the 1930s and 40s. She was one of only a few female science graduates at that time.
She bequeathed the land to Christchurch City in 1989 to provide an art and crafts facility, a potters’ room and a herb garden and to protect the mature trees on the property.
Lavender was Avice Hill’s great love and the Lavandula angustifolia “Avice Hill” was named after her. It is, apparently, a very fine lavender. Strangely, there was very little lavender to be seen in the Reserve and none was labelled,as far as I could tell. Perhaps, one is just supposed to know one’s lavender. Whatever is the case, I am thankful to Avice Hill for her gift to our city.
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A beautiful place and a wonderful story. I enjoyed reading this 🙂 judy
Thank you. I am so pleased.
When you find what you really want to do and you earnestly pursue your goal, amazing things happen. You will find others who will help you along the way. Lovely story – a life well lived.
Yes and her life lives on through her bequest and also in the lavender which bears her name.
The gift that keeps on giving…
Really informative and lovely pictures. Something I didn’t know about my home town
It was a surprise to me when I found out about the Reserve and Avice Hill. Unfortunately, I struggled to find any more information about her on the internet. I am sure there will still be people in the herb and pottery spheres who knew her in person.
Wonderful post, story & photos!
Thank you.
This is interesting and such a beautiful garden. theose yellow plums are mirabelle plums as we call them in Germany “Mirabellen”. Don’t see many around any more. My grandmother had a tree in her garden and used to make jam from them, it tasted fantastic. I always remember this when I see some Mirabellen.
Thank you Ute for confirming that they are Mirabellen. A friend suggested they might be, from my description. It was my first time to see them in Christchurch. I expect there are few trees of this variety which is a shame as the plums are so good. I love how certain fruit and food connects us to our grandparents. I associate raspberries with my maternal grandfather. I wish I could send you some of the Mirabellen. 🙂
I love hearing about women who did incredible things with their talents and abilities, especially those who were ‘before their time’! Yay for the lavendar lady!
Me too; they are great stories and inspiring women.
I’ve just been transported into the oasis of loveliness and it was JUST what I needed. Thank you! x
I am so pleased.