Want to build a garden folly- brick and concrete to look like a corner of a ruined church!!

[miljee]

This is a real long shot, I know, but does anyone have any idea where I might source either a concrete former to cast the shape myself or buy ready-made? We want to create a small folly which will look like the corner of a tumbledown church/gothic structure, say about 5' tall. The bricks aren't a problem, it's a 'gothic' stone-look ecclesiastical window frame that is, the type that would hold stained glass. The end result would have ivy climbing over it and be set in a heather bed.

We saw The Very Thing in the garden at Wookey Hole but I think they'd've noticed if we nicked it!!

[suzywong]

papier mache and several strong coats of varnish

[zippitippitoes]

a reclamation yard for a window frame

it will need a foundation

[JackieNo]

How about just buying a reclaimed one ?

[JackieNo]

More here (scroll down).

[miljee]

Aha! Reclamation! Good idea!

[suzywong]

Ahem, I repeat my generous recommendation of papier mache and some ronseal. Will no one give me attention

[Pixiefish]

we have one in our garden here Not wanting to make you jealous or anything

[morningpaper]

oooh pixiefish

[NomDePlume]

Unless they are a genuine Victorian jobbie, then I do think they are unutterably naff.

[oliveoil]

yes, but what are they for?

[miljee]

Nom; yes, naff but my elderly mother has her heart set on one in her Victorian garden! You would have to be very careful about the environment you set in it, to be sure.

Suzy; Thanks for your input but, I really don't think papier mache would do the trick! It'll be a difficult enough project as it is without having to repeat the performance a couple of years down the track!!

[suzywong]

[miljee]

Sorry, Olive, not to leave you out, as in What are they for? It is a reasonable question and the serious (!) answer would be to give a bit of 3D architectural structure in a tucked away artfully 'over-grown' corner for a garden wanderer to stumble upon and smile at.

[oliveoil]

I recall Posh Spice wanting one

[miljee]

And Pixie, can you scale yours down a bit please and can I have it?!

[NomDePlume]

You say the bricks aren't a problem. Couldn't you just build one from scratch with reclaimed Victorian bricks etc ? Do some drawings, look up ideas on the net. There must be tons of sites with drawings and/or plans of follies....

[miljee]

Well, I didn't realise they came THAT highly recommended! Tee hee!

[JackieNo]

Ooh ooh - look here - all the bits.

[oliveoil]

I think the name says it all really

sorry

[nailpolish]

just one question

WHY?

[JackieNo]

ANd some more ideas .

[miljee]

Jackie, gothic garden folly porn if ever I saw it! Fantastic! Exactly what she wants, many thanks but what search criteria did you use? Within moments I found myself trawling monologues about why Sir Edwarde de Fallowsthorpe decided to build 155 foot high pepperpots on distant hills in 1745!

[JackieNo]

I think I just put in gothic folly, without any inverted commas. Was the first link that came up. You might also want to investigate the Haddonstone site - I found some pics of follies (not all gothic) but couldn't see how to find the materials used. YOu might have more luck.