Claude Hitching

Claude Hitching is a retired English Management Accountant who retired in 1984.

One day in 1999, whilst talking about 'life in the old days' with his youngest son, Bob suggested that he should write his story down for the benefit of future generations, so he decided to start by researching his family tree. He always knew that his grandfather, Fred Hitching, worked for James Pulham and Son - the eminent firm of Victorian and Edwardian landscape artists who specialised in the construction of picturesque rock gardens, ferneries, follies and grottoes etc, and also manufactured a wide range of very high-quality terracotta garden ornaments, such as vases, fountains, seats and balustrading etc. Fred worked as a 'Rock Builder', and Claude soon discovered that no fewer than five of his ancestors - including his grandfather and great-grandfather - all worked for the firm in the same capacity.

Claude spent the next 10 years researching the lives and work of the Pulham family, and received endorsements and encouragement for his research from several National organisations, such as English Heritage, the Garden History Society and the National Trust. He decided to set up a website devoted to the firm at www.pulham.org.uk in 2003, and traffic increased steadily to several thousand visitors per month. He visited many wonderful Pulham parks and gardens around the country, and met many fascinating people whom he would otherwise never have had the opportunity to meet, and his reputation as 'The Pulham Expert' spread to the point where he has been able to assist a number of local authorities and organisations validate the provenance of their parks and gardens, and thus qualify for U.K. Heritage Lottery restoration grants.

The Reviews of 'Rock Landscapes' have been coming in thick and fast. You can read them all at http://pulham.org.uk/about/the-book/draft-reviews/, but here are some examples:

'This is a wonderful book, tracing the history of the family firm and the marvellous structures they created, in great detail. There are detailed accounts of 40 of the firm’s most prestigious structures, stunningly photographed by professional garden photographer Jennifer Lilly. There is even a detailed chronological gazetteer of all the known Pulhamite sites. Definitely a must for your Christmas present list and garden history bookshelf.'

Hazelle Jackson, 'London Landscapes', Winter 2012

'What a super book! Great photos, and such interesting facts. The book reflects a lot of research and effort, and it all makes a fascinating read.

Christine Walkden - BBC-tv and BBC Radio 4 Gardening Expert

‘A recent book, Rock Landscapes: The Pulham Legacy, by Claude Hitching, is the result of many years’ patient research, pulling together fascinating information on the Pulhams’ work, which extended from grand gardens such as Sandringham and Waddesdon to modest suburban villas. The rock garden today . . . whose strata (is)arranged vertically, like a toast rack, is a far cry from anything the Pulhams made. Their kind of naturalism was big and jolly.’

Stephen Anderton – Gardening Correspondent, 'The TIMES' 24th November 2012

'Claude Hitching's Rock Landscapes: The Pulham Legacy is the first full-length book on the Pulham firm. . . . So (it) is able to provide a greatly expanded gazetteer, with detailed and beautifully illustrated accounts of thirty-eight individual gardens, ranging from commissions for the royal family (Buckingham Palace, Sandringham), through great estates (Madresfield Court, Waddesdon Manor, Sheffield Park) to works for local authorities (Ramsgate, Blackpool, Folkestone). . . . The book is beautifully produced, with a wealth of illustrations . .

Brent Elliott, Lindley Library, RHS, Journal of the Garden History Society, Winter 2012

'I have received my review copy of The Pulham Legacy. It is excellent, and my congratulations on all that work and wonderful end result. . . . A brilliant piece of work - I thoroughly recommend it'

Peter Seabrook - 'Amateur Gardening' - 26th May 2012

'The never-ending catalogue is pleasantly interspersed with family anecdotes. This is a very desirable book . . It is a mine of information for the researcher and visitor, and can surely never be superseded.'

Steven Desmond - 'Country Life', 20th May 2012

'A charming labour of love . . . the photographs are superb, the research exhaustive, and the gazetteer makes it invaluable for the study, restoration and maintenance of Pulhamite features in 19th to early 20th-century gardens.'

Katie Campbell - Gardens Illustrated - July 2012

'The story is inspiring . . . and has managed to add dozens of unfamiliar gardens to my list of those worth visiting in Britain.'

Robin Lane Fox - Financial Times Weekend Review - 14th July 2012

'Claude's wonderful book on the Pulham Legacy is made all the more interesting by his family connections with the company, and, if you weren't interested in rock gardens before you read the book, you certainly will be itching to see some of the great Pulham masterpieces by the end of it!'

Phillipa Pearson - Hertfordshire Life - August 2012

'A friendly narrative . . . (that) provides a . . fascinating insight into . . the garden fashions of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras.'

Matt Haddon - Garden Design Journal - August 2012

'This impressive book offers . . . a fascinating insight into how rocks were used through this whole period, and the particular role that the Pulham family played within that.'

Graham Hardman - Shakkei - Journal of the Japanese Garden Society - Summer 2012

'I've just opened my review copy of the Pulham book, and am delighted with it! Will feature it on the July books page.'

Mary Davies - 'The Irish Garden'

'What a Masterpiece! It is a real treasure - a wonderful book to own, and something to pass down to the family.'

Margaret Clark - Secretary of the Miltonian Guild

'I received my copy of "Rock landscapes" today, and have to say I am completely blown away by it. What a fantastic book! So far, I have just turned all the pages once, and what I have seen of the illustrations etc far surpasses any preconceived ideas that I had imagined it would be like. CONGRATULATIONS, Claude.

- Ian Denney - Descendant of the Pulham family

'Congratulations, It's a fine production. Wishing you the very best for its success.'

- Charles Hawes - Professional Gardens Photographer

'May I be one of the first to congratulate you on your masterpiece; it really is a work of art. I think the text and photos compliment each other really well. You should be proud.'

- Alan Bishop - Pulhamite Restoration Specialist

'Fantastic -- delighted to receive such an informative, high-quality, well-presented and enjoyable read -- and at an amazingly-cheap price too!'

- Dr Robert Tebb

'I have now finished reading your book . . . I found it a wonderful read - both informative and pleasurable. You really did take the reader on a journey - Crumbs, you got around!'

- Neil Robbins, the Heritage and Education Officer of the Borough of Broxbourne, and Curator of the Lowewood Museum

'I am so enjoying your book, and am amazed at all the research you have done. They (the Pulhams) were truly an extraordinary family, and I don't think Woodbridge does them credit. When I can bear to part with the book , I will put it in the Museum for reference!'

- Wendy Blake, Woodbridge Local Historian

'We have just read your original (draft notes) and love it. It is just as though you were here with us, talking us around the House and grounds. . . We are both so impressed. Thank you!'

- Cathy Scott, Secretary of the Ewell Court House Organisation