Posts By: Helen Langley

The Quest for Reggie Cooper

Posted by & filed under Reggie Cooper.

This research grew out of a study of the gardens created by Sir Philip Sassoon (1883-1939). Intrigued by what had once been – and may in the future be again – a very attractive building, the quest for its amateur architect, Reginald (Reggie) Cooper began in earnest in 2014.

Views from the Orangery: the gardens of Sir Philip Sassoon

Posted by & filed under History in the Garden, History of Orangeries, Port Lympne, Projects, Sassoon, Trent Park.

This research returns to the topic of gardens as ‘living documents’. It uses the orangery at Trent Park, Enfield as the starting point for an exploration of the gardens created by Sir Philip Sassoon (1888-1939). The two gardens examined (Port Lympne, Kent being the second) are ‘living documents’; cultural landscapes connected to the worlds of politics, the arts, and design and significant meetings in both world wars.

Sir George Scharf & the Orangery at Knole Park

Posted by & filed under History in the Garden, History of Orangeries, Knole Park, National Portrait Gallery, Projects, Sir George Scharf.

Helen has long been interested in the history of orangeries, and so was delighted to act as one of the advisers on the re-instatement of the orangery at Knole Park in late 2009/early 2010. The position brought unexpected archival dividends for her research into historic orangeries, and prompted further research using the sketch books and diaries of Sir George Scharf as a manuscript source. This article gives a first outline of some of her findings.