Autistic Gardener to work on Alderney feature

Thursday 29 March 2018

Alan Gardner, television's Autistic Gardener, is to visit the Channel Islands to create a focal point for autistic people in Alderney.

His visit has been co-ordinated by Krys Page, who herself has a grandaughter on the autistic spectrum, and who is keen to help other families while creating a space which will benefit the wider community and any visitors to the island.

Mrs Page said she is planning to reenact the show Alan Gardner used to do on Channel 4, which saw him demonstrating his green fingered talents on national television. She explained: "I am going to create a space especially for someone with Autism. Differently abled people who live in Alderney are going to be my crew and  I hope to have him design a space that any Autist can enjoy. It will be a peaceful, beautiful space that is a joy to the senses."

Mrs Page is planning this project now because her granddaughter Willow is due to visit Alderney for the first time in seven years "I want to build a place that makes her happy", but she said other people will benefit too which is why the idea has strongly appealed to her. 

As April is Autism Awareness month Mrs Page said now is an inspirational time as she plans the project: "I think this is a teaching opportunity to increase awareness about Autism.  It is hard to understand what an Autist wants, especially if they are non-verbal.  Willow happens to be mostly non-verbal but I want the garden to be a place that benefits the entire island and creates awareness in its creation.

"Autists are special; I want the garden to be special too."

Pictured: Mrs Page and her granddaughter, Willow

Mr Gardner rose to fame through his work for Channel 4. The married father, who has Aspergers, has loved gardening since he was 15. His website details his work background and features his past television shows. Mrs Page had seen his previous work and decided to try and make contact with Mr Gardner.

"A light bulb went off in my head. Because Alan is Autistic he gets how an Autistic brain works. I have dealt with Autism for over a decade and still don't understand it.  I don't know if anyone can, especially us neurotypicals' she said.

"I contacted Alan and he called me that same night.  He said 'I will do it, I am ready to play'.  I was in a fog for a moment and could not believe it."

Mrs Page said she was so surprised he said yes that she had to ask Mr Gardner to assure her which he did: "We have been in contact ever since. I want to be surprised in the end just like the show so it is a bit tricky.  I am going to let him tell my daughter what his plan is but not to tell me.  He told me last night 'you are going to have your own lil show without the telly' "

Pictured: Mrs Page's granddaughter Willow

The Alderney project will follow a similar pattern to Mr Gardner's television shows. During the summer months he will visit the island to see the area so he can measure it and get a visual plan of what he wants to do. He will then return to the UK for a few weeks during which time he will come up with a design. MrsPage said he will then travel back to Alderney to reveal his design: "I don't want to know what he is going to do, just like the show so he will reveal the details to my daughter, Willow's Mum, Piper Collins."

You can find out more about the planned Alderney garden, and contribute to the fundraising costs here.