The Arboretum
My husband, Nigel, my grown children Robert and Phillipa and I had arranged to holiday and tour the island with Uncle George on our trip to the UK, planned that winter break. His death came as a shock to us all as we were in good communication with him until November 2010; when his letters became fewer. On December 23rd I received a letter, bearing the address label peculiar to Uncle George's printer. Excitedly, I opened the letter glad of the communication between us, but was taken aback when the contents gave notice of his sad demise. With heavy hearts, we left for the UK two days later on Christmas day, armed with greater resolve to visit The Arboretum and pay our respects.
The Arboretum had become Uncle George's life work and passion, especially after Auntie Swee Liew's death in 1996. The photographic tribute that follows this preamble has been assembled from a personal collection of photographs taken over the years on the island with Uncle George and Auntie Swee Liew, and from images taken this winter; offering the viewer some insight of the Arboretum in its evolution. We hope that it may be a poignant reminder of the 'farmer at heart', of this wonderful man, and the dedication to his 'Willow'.
Me and the children, Robert and Phillipa at the meadow (a panoramic image of four photos 'stitched' together). In the centre of the photo the moss bed with trees. We're sheltering on the lea-ward side of the conifer windbreak. The wind is still relentless here. The grass is overgrown. Judging by the size of the animal scat - the meadow appears to be home to a species of giant rabbit!
We've come full circle on our tour.
The gate to The Memorial Gardens of Chua Swee Liew is on the road running parallel to the conifer windbreak behind us. These gardens are known to all who knew and loved Dr. George R. Wadsworth as "The Arboretum".
My understanding is that this spring, 2011, his ashes will be scattered on the island in the lake. After fourteen years the gardener will be reunited with his willow.
