Alan Clements

Location: Matlock, Derbyshire
About the Speaker...

As Hon. Vice President of the Tibet Relief fund and active Chairman for ten years he is well placed to speak with authority about Tibetan culture and other matters. I have some excellent slides and video of my visit to Tibet in 1994 and visits to Tibetan settlements throughout India providing aid and support. He has had meetings with the Dalai Lama and his officials on a number of occasions.
For the last twenty years he has created Cascades Gardens a beautiful four-acre garden in Bonsall, Derbyshire which he opens to the public. He also gives a talk on the development of this dramatic landscape and other gardens that have inspired him.
A third talk explores his interest in gardening and the deeper satisfaction that we can get from creating our own special natural refuge. He explains how he has attempted to create the peace, tranquillity, balance and harmony in his gardens that can only be achieved by working with Nature.

About my Talks...

My talks are power point presentations. I can bring my own laptop, projector and screen if required. If the club already has a screen that’s good.

Fee:

I am happy to present to a small local group (up to 20) for £50 plus £10 travel expenses. But if the group is larger and the distance longer I would want a higher fee.

My Contact Details:
Phone:

01629 822813

07967337404

A Tibetan Journey

After working with the Tibet Society and Tibet Relief fund for many years I give a very brief outline of Tibetan history, religion and culture. My meetings with the Dalai Lama, trip to Tibet in 1994 and extraordinary visits to the Tibetan settlements in remote parts of northern India are highlighted with my own photographs and  tales of my experiences.

The Dalai Lama’s message to the world is profound and yet put simply in terms of compassion for all, non-violence and attention to the most basic human values.

I am well qualified to answer questions after the talk that can cover a wide range of topics related to Tibet.

If your group would prefer the talk to be presented with a political bias, that is well within my capabilities and I will be pleased to discuss this when making a booking.

Cascades Gardens - From Jungle to Paradise

Alan Clements, a retired business man, has developed Cascades Gardens, Bonsall, Matlock, over the last 20 years from a spectacular wild four-acre gorge to a beautiful, peaceful and relaxing landscape.

His talk “From Jungle to Paradise” shows before and after pictures of the development of the garden and outlines other gardens that have inspired him: Bressingham, Great Dixter, Hidcote Manor and Japanese gardens in Kyoto.

He says “I have tried to create a sense of peace and spiritual well-being at Cascades Gardens by growing the garden to blend into the natural rocky, stream and woodland landscape, and letting it naturalise. There are many places in the garden to sit, relax and reflect on the beauty of Nature.”

The fascinating landscape originates from the 18th century and surrounds the ruins of a corn mill, with pond, mill race, canal and an old lead mine. Cascades gardens is set on many levels with a new “garden room” around every corner- perennial flower beds, roses, waterside planting and alpine and conifer rockeries. There is a great view from the cliff top path.

Gardening with Nature - How to create a garden for peace and reflection

Contents
I.            Why do we garden?
II.           History and concept of Paradise gardens.
III.          Chinese gardens incorporating the principles of the Tao and Feng Shui
IV.           Cascades Gardens, reviewed in the light of Feng Shui?
V.            Japanese gardens. My visits to Japan.
VI.           “Just Sitting” with Nature.

A one hour talk and slide show that explores our interest in gardening and the deeper satisfaction that we can get from creating our own special natural space.
Reviewing Chinese and Japanese gardens from his own personal experience, some of the principles underlying these oriental gardens,Taoism and Feng Shui are briefly reviewed.
The speaker’s own garden, Cascades Gardens is examined in the light of Feng Shui and he explains how he has attempted to create the peace, tranquillity, balance and harmony in his gardens that can only be achieved by working with Nature.

 

 

- WALK-

A Walk and Talk in Cascades Gardens

For the past twenty years I have owned and developed Cascades Gardens, a beautiful four acre garden in Bonsall, Matlock in the county of Derbyshire.  Originally this was a wild gorge under an 80 foot cliff with a canal, stream and woodland – we walk and I discuss the gardens and the gardeners that have inspired me and track the construction and planting of the area and you can judge for yourself whether I have achieved my ambition to create a peaceful and natural garden out of this dramatic landscape.

 

Alan Clements Contact Details:
Phone:

01629 822813

07967337404

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