The Whitchurch Maze Project
By Nick Brazil
1 - The Naming of Names - March 2004
This year work on the Maze has been steady and encouraging. Its centrepiece the sundial, has been in place for some months now and orders for nearly 80 named bricks have been taken.
We had hoped to have these put in the ground by the end of March but unfortunately the original Matthews bricks we planned to use proved unsuitable. A search is on for an alternative brick and it is hoped this small obstacle will be overcome within the next week. The original idea of picking the letters out in black pain has been dropped. This is because no matter how tough and weatherproof the paint it would inevitably suffer wear and tear making the bricks look tatty. We also feel that unpainted lettering actually looks better.
In January we applied for a grant from the SODC Community Investment Fund in order to buy all the bricks for the Maze. A decision on this is expected within the next month. Naturally we hope this will be successful, but if this does not prove to be the case, the bricks will be purchased anyway at no drain on the public purse. Our main concern is to have the bulk of it completed in time for it to be a feature in this year's Garden Walk.
In the meantime Peter Woolhouse and I have been developing a method to create the "watershed" plaques. Some of these will mark important landmarks in the village history and others the distances and directions of significant places such as The Thames Source and The South Pole.
An additional purpose of the Maze is to create an ecological haven of peace and tranquillity where humans and wild life coexist. To this end several bird boxes and an owl hide have been placed at various points in the surrounding undergrowth. This way we can ensure that the abundant bird life will continue to visit and nest in this beautiful corner of our village.
WotHabs are also planning to establish an area of wild flowers in memory of Lady Rose. This will be situated on the southern boundary of the maze.
Within the next month excavation will start on the Maze paths and volunteers to help complete this task would be more than welcome. If you would like to help or purchase a named brick please do not hesitate to contact me, Nick Brazil, at The Garden Flat, The Mount, Hardwick Rd., Whitchurch-on-Thames, Reading RG8 7HW Telephone: 01189841602 or e-mail : click here
2 - Halfway! - May 2004
On Easter Saturday April 10th 2004 another important milestone was reached in the creation of our Thyme Maze. At nine o'clock on that overcast morning, Geoff Weir, the Chairman of the Parish Council, cut the first turf in the Maze.
Since then our progress has been quite breathtaking. Peter Woolhouse has laid nearly 1000 bricks. Many of these have the names of both past and present residents engraved on them. These are held in place by two and a half tons of the mortar all hand mixed in a wheel barrow. No wonder the Maze site has been nicknamed "Woolhouse and Brazil's Green Gym"!
Generous support from everyone in the village continues unabated which is extremely encouraging. It is very heart warming to see people just arrive at the site prepared to roll their sleeves up and cut turf, infill or carry bricks. As a result we have now nearly excavated the fourth of five circles. In three of these the brickwork is now complete.
Many people have also responded generously and bought engraved bricks. To date we have sold approximately 160 named bricks although the number increases by the day. There can be few more satisfying experiences than showing someone a brick with the name of their children or pets occupying pride of place in the Maze.
As the project takes shape, we have had an increasing number of visitors. Whilst many of these are local, there have also been people from as far afield as Canada and Denmark. On one memorable occasion a group of South American students came to admire our work.
"Where are you from?" I asked.
"Brazil," they replied.
"Well, you'll be pleased to know that you are standing in the middle of a genuine Brazilian Maze."
It is not often in life one is handed such tailor made punchlines.
The giant sundial at the centre of the Maze has fascinated many of our younger visitors. Indeed, there is a special magic for children of all ages about becoming part of this timepiece and seeing one's shadow fall across the Roman numerals. This has also helped to educate these visitors in the passage of the sun and the seasons.
On Easter Monday another group of children also had an impromptu history lesson. One of the bricks at the top of the inner circle bears the date 1066. It is placed in this prominent position because it was the year that England was last invaded changing the land forever.
"What do those numbers mean?" One of the young visitors asked pointing at this brick.
"Well," I replied in my best schoolmasterly tone. "That is Ten Sixty-Six, a very important year in our history. Can any of you tell me what happened then?"
As the children hummed and hahed screwing up their faces it was clear none of them knew the answer. Then one little boy had a burst of inspiration.
"I know!" he shouted. "It was the year we won the World Cup!"
Well, what's nine hundred years between friends?
We hope people continue to visit the Thyme Maze since it continues to grow by the week. Our aim is to have it ready to become a worthy addition to this year's Garden Walk.
If you are still wondering whether to buy a brick then hurry because the cut off date is May 31st.If you would like to help or purchase a named brick please do not hesitate to contact me, Nick Brazil, at The Garden Flat, The Mount, Hardwick Rd., Whitchurch-on-Thames, Reading RG8 7HW Telephone: 01189841602 or e-mail : click here
3 - Full Circle - July 2004
On a quiet summer evening on June 20th Peter Woolhouse laid the final named brick in The Whitchurch Thyme Maze. It was only ten weeks since the first turf was cut by Geoff Weir but we had met our target of having the Official Opening on the same day as The Garden Walk on the following Sunday. In that time Pete had laid over 2000 bricks and I had mixed four tons of mortar in a wheelbarrow. His phrase: "Knock up another gauge of muck just to keep your hand in." will remain with me into my dotage.
When Sunday 27th dawned I glanced anxiously at the sky. The previous day had been dreadful with torrential rain. The forecast for that day was better but one can never take the weather for granted. In the event, it was perfect with brilliant sunshine interspersed with fluffy clouds.
It is often said that people vote with their feet. Well if that is so, they certainly gave the Maze a resounding vote of confidence on that memorable day.
I had no idea how well attended the opening would be so I was delighted to see a undred and fifty people filling the meadow. Many of them of course were residents who had engraved bricks. Others came from as far afield as Northampton, Stevenage and Derbyshire. Their backgrounds might have been diverse but these visitors had one thing in common, they were all friends and supporters of the Maze.
As I launched into my speech I bore in mind Polonius' advice in Hamlet: "If brevity is the soul of Wit then I'll be brief".
I think I followed his advice better than he did. In four minutes I had said all I needed particularly in thanking everyone involved. Indeed I owe a great debt of thanks to many people for ensuring my original idea become a reality in such a short time.
We were also very grateful to Tony Voysey for agreeing to open the maze with his thoughtful speech reminding us of the ancient origins of mazes and labyrinths. After that the proceedings really went with a bang.
It was a rare privilege to have this event marked with a salute of ancient musketry. For this we are indebted to the local branch of The Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain. Without doubt their volley added a uniqueness and style to this historic occasion.
Large numbers of people stayed to enjoy their picnics in the beautiful surroundings of The Maze Meadow. This reinforced my belief that Whitchurch is not only a village but also a large "family".
We often do not realise the ultimate consequences of our actions. When I first thought of the Maze I never foresaw how it would set fire to the collective imagination. Whether it was purchasing engraved bricks or actually coming to help create it by cutting turf so many members of the community helped to make the maze a reality. During the course of its construction I came to know many of my neighbours well. I also feel that the project has had a positive bonding effect on the village.
The involvement and interest of children, particularly the pupils at The Whitchurch Primary School was immensely rewarding. They have already adopted the maze as their special place and I know many of them are regular visitors.
So what about the future? Although the main part of the Maze is now complete there are the distance and village history plaques to be installed. Once again, the pupils at the school are providing valuable help by identifying special places throughout the world to have a place in the Maze.
The plan is to create these plaques in high strength mortar with lettering impressed in them. But if anyone has a better idea regarding techniques or materials please do not hesitate to contact me at the address given at the end of the article.
In creating The Whitchurch Thyme Maze we also hope to have provided a focal point for future village activities. A barbecue marking the first anniversary of its opening is already planned. We also think it would lend itself to concerts such as "Jazz at The Maze" and some form of open air art exhibitions. Certainly a Maze cutting party would help keep it in trim. Just bring your mowers and turf cutters!
If anyone has other ideas for Maze based events please do not hold back. Its your Maze please use it as much as possible. Nick Brazil, at The Garden Flat, The Mount, Hardwick Rd., Whitchurch-on-Thames, Reading RG8 7HW Telephone: 01189841602 or e-mail : click here
Nick Brazil 2004