A Song for Will and the Lost Gardeners of Heligan

by Hilary Robinson

When the First World War is declared on 4th August 1914, errand boy, Alfie, is disappointed that he is too young to sign up. But his frustration turns to despair as he begins to understand the brutal reality of battle.During the four year conflict, Alfie's exchange of letters with Heligan stone mason, Fred Paynter, and the visits home of gardener, William Guy, paint a poignant picture of life at the front. Reading them in a peaceful corner of England, the sanctuary of Heligan, Alfie realises just how different his life could have been.Can Fred and Will survive the horrors of the Somme offensive in 1916? And what shocking news might Alfie receive about other battles?Drawing on facts from the historical records of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, 'A Song For Will' is a beautiful story of longing, loss and discovery.

64 pages, Hardcover

Published March 28, 2017

Reviews

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fantastic little book. My only complaint is I wanted more non-fiction info about both the real people featured as characters and the process of researching and writing the book.

[Carys Wiggans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve lived in cornwall for 29 years and Id never heard of this book!
I went to heligan gardens last summer and found this book, so had to get it.
After sitting and reading through the whole thing, I feel so connected to where I live and the past that happened here.
It’s so beautiful! So emotional.
I’m off to cry now

[Jose Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma bonita e comovente história. O facto de ter estado já duas vezes nos jardins de Heligan ajudaram a visualizar todo o ambiente, assim como as bonitas imagens do livro.
Uma história triste sobre os jardineiros que partiram para lutar na primeira guerra mundial. Uma bonita homenagem.
E os jardins nunca mais foram os mesmos. A vida nunca mais foi igual.
Que desperdício.
Vou com certeza voltar a este livro pelas memórias que me traz.

A lovely, lovely story.
The beautiful pictures and beeing at the gardens twice helped me to visualise the places and atmosphere.
A sad story about the gardeners that went away to fight the 1st World War. A homage.
And the garden would never be the same. Life would never be the same.
What a waste.
I certainly will return to this book and all the beauty in it.

[Ciara Greed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presents the changes that resulted for the young gardeners and outdoor staff of the estate of Heligan who had to leave their families to fight once WW1 was declared. Through the illustrations and text the readers can see people celebrating and singing as the men leave, yet the men and their families later on discover the true duration of the war; not months but several years. Letters to and from the soldiers are shared to the readers and we can see how the young men try to see the positives in their situation and lift the spirits of the friends and family that they are writing home to. This powerfully written book is a tribute to those young men who had to leave and to all the men around the country, with some men unfortunately never returning.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh mercy, is this a sad one. Know that going in and that it is longer than other books by this author. I will not be reading it in Kindergarten - it is too sad. Recommended.