“If our activities with Lanning [Roper] had been a pleasure and an education, then our next collaboration proved to be a hoot. Working with Isabel and Julian Bannerman on the biggest assignment so far, we envisaged a woodland walk at the furthest end of the garden…After a year in planning and two in execution – the Bannerman’s limitless enthusiasm tempered by Simon’s natural restraint – the result was a pleasure ground with ruined abbey, hermits hut, Chinese bridge, rustic walk, grotto with river god, Gothic summer house, waterfall, rills, stumpery and bubbling source…the partnership avoided the pitfalls of excess…As Simon’s health deteriorated he loved working with these ebullient, talented people, and I shall forever be grateful to them.”

Stewart Grimshaw 2008