Birmingham is a family affair for Paul and Margot Cooper: Paul first came to the University on a scholarship, receiving his First Class Honours in Physics in 1951 and then stayed to complete a PhD in Nuclear Physics (graduating in 1954). He greatly enjoyed his time at Birmingham, and after a few years living in Reading he returned to the Midlands to lecture at Aston University where he stayed for over 30 years.
Following in her father’s footsteps, Margot also came to Birmingham to study Maths and Music, graduating in 1982. Margot first visited the gardens at Winterbourne while she was a student, and she and Paul were regular visitors during the last ten years. Now a Member of Winterbourne, Margot continues to enjoy visiting the house and garden regularly and has recently donated to dedicate a new tree in her father’s memory.
‘Dad and I appreciated the peace and tranquillity that we found at Winterbourne House and Garden. The tree will offer me great joy and solace in a place that I love and I am sure that Dad would feel very privileged to be remembered in this way, in such a beautiful place that he appreciated so much.’
Looking after the garden at Winterbourne is year-round effort, as Horticultural Supervisor Dan Cartwright knows: ‘Margot’s donation will help us develop areas of the garden that need a bit of love and care. One of these areas is our new Winter Garden, where Paul’s tree is planted. The stunning white bark of the Himalayan Birch can be appreciated all year, and provides a welcome focal point in the stark Winter months. Without donations like Margot’s we simply wouldn’t be able to bring these areas of the garden to their full potential as quickly as we would like.’
If you are interested in dedicating a tree in memory of a loved one, or in supporting Winterbourne more generally, please
contact Winterbourne House and Garden on 0121 414 3003.