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Behind the Scenes

Gordon, A Recovering Soldier

Gordon Soldier Seeds of HopeGordon is a recovering soldier, stationed at the convalescent hospital set up within the House.

A young man from the Scottish Highlands, he, like many of the soldiers at Harewood, had never left his village until leaving to fight. War opened his eyes to awful terrors, but it also broadened his horizons and introduced him to new things.

Gordon’s injuries are worryingly serious when he first arrives, but thanks to the care he receives, and the healing atmosphere at Harewood, he makes a miraculous physical recovery. Whilst recovering, Gordon spends much of his time taking walks in the gardens, where he meets Olivia, a servant girl from the House.

Visit Seeds of Hope in the Bothy, Walled Garden and Servant’s Hall, Below Stairs, and learn more about the characters at Harewood 100 years ago. Exhibition closes Sunday 4 November.

Mr Leathley, Head Gardener

Mr Leathley Seeds of HopeMr Leonard Leathley is the Head Gardener at Harewood.

A brilliant man with a deep understanding of agriculture and nature, he is much respected by those who work under him.

As war progresses, he becomes an even greater taskmaster, with the focus on feeding the troops and the Home Front becoming more and more of a priority.

Like John, he has family fighting in the war – his two sons Tobias and Ernest. The thought of losing them has led Mr Leathley to become obsessed with his new war-time responsibilities – to turn the once ornamental and decorative gardens of Harewood into a hive of food production and cultivation.

 

Seeds of Hope continues in the Walled Garden until Sunday 4 November.

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Rose, a flower in the gardens of Seeds of Hope

Rose Gardener Seeds of HopeThe greatest challenge to Mr Leathley’s order comes from a developing social revolution – women working the land. This threat is epitomised by Rose, a lively mother from the village who comes to work in the gardens, responding to a direct appeal from Lady Harewood. Rose faces many challenges from Mr Leathley, who seriously underestimates her strength and willpower.

Rose is determined to prove him wrong, working hard to sow more seeds, grow more plants and harvest more crops than her male counterparts.

Eventually, Mr Leathley is forced to swallow his pride and accept that women are just as good at gardening as men.

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Olivia, House Girl

Olivia Seeds of Hope CharacterOlivia is a servant girl at the House. Her world is turned upside down when her duties suddenly move from housekeeping to assisting the wounded soldiers and nurses at the newly established makeshift hospital in the House.

Until she meets Gordon, Olivia has never even met anyone from outside the village. Gordon’s stories of life in Scotland are almost like fables from a fairytale to Olivia – as are his stories of bravery and anguish from the frontline.

Olivia and Gordon fall madly in love, but Olivia knows that this would be seriously frowned upon by the stern, rule-obsessed Matron and so they have to express their love through secret coded messages that no one else can read.

George on the Frontline

George character Seeds of Hope

As Seeds of Hope continues in the Walled Garden, The Bothy and Below Stairs, six characters bring to life stories from the Harewood estate 100 years ago.

George is John’s older brother, away fighting on the frontline. His letters to John from the brutal trenches are our window in to the realities of war.

We learn that George is a young man in love with nature and gardening, who misses the House and gardens at Harewood so much. His letters home to John include everyday comments on the weather, gossip, cricket and how the year’s harvest is doing – a man trying to stay upbeat, whilst giving an increasingly honest and emotional insight into what he’s facing on the frontline.

The story of George’s fight to serve his country is at the heart of Seeds of Hope.

Seeds of Hope continues until 4 November.