PEOPLE
TRACY FOSTER
MARTIN YOUNG
K AT I E F L A X M A N
Director and designer, Tracy Foster Garden Design
Founder, Sitting Spiritually of Lyme Regis
Director, Studio 31
www.tracyfostergardendesign.co.uk
www.sittingspiritually.co.uk
www.designstudio31.co.uk
If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing? I’d be a lorry driver for sure – it was a childhood ambition.
If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing? I’d be a builder.
If you weren’t in the horticulture industry, what would you be doing? Writing. If I weren’t working here, you’d find me under a tree somewhere working on a novel.
Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most? I love the French Alps – the mountains, lakes, ancient tracks and hundreds of wildflowers. It makes me happy to be there.
Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most? Italy.
What would you blow your budget on? I love oak structures and detailed craftsmanship, so a custom-built oak gazebo with stained glass or hand carving. One thing that you think would make the industry better? I’d like to see the industry bodies we have working more closely together Best piece of trivia you know? The fruit of the Swiss cheese plant is edible. I only just found out. It actually tastes very nice but not like cheese! Who would play you in a movie of your life? Oh gosh, Miranda Hart maybe – I’m always embarrassing myself and not acting my age. What three things would you take to a desert island? A boat, a map and a compass. If there’s a boat ban, I’d have some seeds and a spade, and some wine. Your favourite joke? Two fish in a tank. One says to the other: “How do you drive this thing?”
www.prolandscapermagazine.com
Little Interviews-2.indd 91
What would you blow your budget on? Celia (my wife)! The one person in the industry you’d love to meet? Dan Pearson. One thing that you think would make the industry better? Emphasis on quality and not price. Best piece of trivia you know? If they laid all the telegraph poles in England from end to end, the phones wouldn’t work! Who would play you in a movie of your life? Arnold Schwarzenegger. What three things would you take to a desert island? Helicopter, a pilot, and a navigation system. Your favourite joke? In the 1987 All-Irish sheep dog trials, how many were found guilty? Karaoke song of choice? Brown Sugar by The Rolling Stones.
Other than the UK, which country’s landscape inspires you the most? Australia. I lived there for two years and my husband’s family reside there, so it’s a place close to my heart. The ecology and culture of outback Australia is like nowhere else on earth, and the recent fires are a devastating blow to such a unique habitat. The one person in the industry you’d love to meet? Catherine Ward-Thompson. The research she’s doing on the link between landscape and health is pretty inspirational to the work we do here. One thing that you think would make the industry better? Greater collaborative training opportunities taking a holistic approach to join up industry professionals. Best piece of trivia you know? The Cookie Monster’s real name is Sid. What three things would you take to a desert island? A notepad, a pencil and a bottle of water. Your favourite joke? Two fish in a tank. One says to the other: “You man the guns, I’ll drive.” Karaoke song of choice? All Star by Smash Mouth, mainly because I know all the words.
Pro Landscaper / December 2020 91
19/11/2020 09:11