The Arcadian Vision of Education

The stated purpose of the Trust is to advance education in horticulture and conservation. The guiding principle of its educational ethos is a form of humanism created by the Founder.

Welcome to my charity education garden: a place of wildlife, spirituality, education, art, peaceful repose and harmony.

Here I strive to attain 'Arcadia' - or my spiritual philosophy of relationship with Nature: a vision of pastoralism and harmony with nature and the landscape. It is something I feel to the very core of my being. Nature, wildlife and gardening have always been a passion for me. This began when I was a child and was engendered by my parents and by my rural upbringing. It was there my sense of and commitment to certain eternal principles and values of the beauteous Oneness was first sparked. I have a deep love and empath for Nature, the landscape and wildlife.

And I have always had a passion for education and discovery. And the process of teaching for me is like the creative work of the gardener: to carefully nurture something and bring it to strength and fruition. I regard my form of humanistic education and teaching as an expression of the Arcadian vision.

To me my garden is like the broad canvas of a spiritual vocation: there I try to delight the eye, gladden the heart, enrich the mind and uplift the soul- not only for myself but for others.

(Stephen Ben Cox)