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Soon after the initial conversation, David was travelling in Italy, when he came across these magnificent olive trees in an Italian vineyard. After a quick phone call to FP offices, the shared vision grew and the idea of the Mediterranean haven was born. Here ancient olive trees and fragrant lavender would sit side by side; creating a sense of tranquillity in amongst the rush of modern life. It would also be a place where people could come to enjoy the great community activities that would take place beneath the tree’s branches each week.

How did they get here?

The trees were imported into the UK in the autumn of 2010 and left to acclimatise in a nursery outdoors. Here they weathered the early Winter Arctic Air that brought sub-zero temperatures and snow to higher ground during 2010.

As the olive trees were adapting to life in the UK, David was beginning to plan the garden. This involved everything from choosing the right size and colour containers to compliment both the trees and the square; to choosing which plants would best accompany the trees. David and his team eventually settled on wooden containers to continue the natural theme of the garden and lavender to accompany the trees; as not only does this grow in abundance in the Med, but similarly to olive trees, it is renowned for its ‘feel good’ properties.

Once the trees were imported and the garden was planned, all that was left to do was to arrange how to get the trees onto Festival Square. There were many options available, including using a variety of cranes and lorries; but we had to be mindful of the weight of the vehicles - as the Square used to be the Basingstoke Canal turning circle, so is hollow underneath. Luckily the ground has been reinforced for emergency vehicles and we were able to get a crane lorry that was able to both deliver the trees and crane them into position.

The Grand Arrival

It was an early start on arrival day with David and his team arriving at 7am so as not to impact too much on the people shopping. When the crane lorry arrived it was huge! Everybody was holding their breath as it manoeuvred/squeezed itself onto the square. Once in position the trees were craned off one at a time straight into their pots. As each tree was lowered into position David’s team hurried to cover it with compost whilst planting the variety of smaller plants at the same time. Eventually the piece de resistance (being the 700 year old tree) was ready to be craned off. It was lifted into the air and was half way towards its pot when it let out a long ominous creak bringing everything to a halt. After a nervous couple of minutes of bated breath and awful visions of planting half of an olive tree, the tree settled down and the crane brought the tree into its final resting place. By 4.30pm each plant had been planted, each tree had been watered and it was time for David and his team to go home, leaving behind a beautiful olive garden.

What’s next in the Olive Garden?

We envisage the Olive Garden as a tranquil environment for you to come and relax on those warm summer days, or if it’s free entertainment you’re after - it will be the heart of summer fun every weekend. So come along, relax and enjoy a whole host of great activities including live music, craft workshops and drawing classes.

Fun Olive Facts

Did you know…?

• In Ancient Greece, a person could be fined for digging up too many olive trees, even on their own land.
• People in Crete have been using the oil of olives and cultivating the olive tree since 3500 B.C.
• At the Ancient Greek games of Olympia, a wreath of olive leaves was the prize.
• The olive tree is the symbol of wisdom and peace.