'Congratulations Arthur'

We just had to show you this wonderful picture. I am sure it will make you smile. It was sent to us by Peter Clarkson and his pals for which we thank him.

Arthur receiving his degree in astrognomy at the Open University after a lot of hard work he managed to obtain a respectable 2:1.

Arthur was named after the former Dean of Arts and has developed the study bug and may go on to post graduate study, possibly working on the G-Gnome area.

World record

When Ann Atkin started collecting gnomes in 1979 she had about six gnomes and as she says 'it just grew from there.'

It sure did. She now runs The Gnome Reserve in Devon, one of the UK's more idiosyncratic tourist attractions where the world's largest collection of gnomes and pixies shares the four-acre grounds with wildflower garden.

'The Guinness people got in touch with us and asked us to do a headcount,' she says. 'There were 2032 of them then, although I think there must be a fair few more now. Not all of them are out at once, of course - but there are still enough to keep us busy.'

"The neighbours thought we were mad, but they've had time to get used to it now"

To help them acclimatise, visitors are given (optional) gnome hats to wear. With mine on, I just had to ask - what's the difference between a gnome and a pixie? 'Oh, that's an easy one, 'laughs Ann. 'Gnomes are as ancient as the hills and as young as a child in one go, while pixies are entirely young.'

The Guys are back

Let me introduce the Guys. From left to right - The Dope, Mobile Jo, Up you Jack, Plonker,Flash Harry and V for victory.Some would call them rude, some offensive but most love the little Guys. They are fun, colourful and beautifully made. They really are collectors items. Oh! by the way 'V for Victory' fell into the barrel after this photo was taken. All was not lost, the Guys came to the rescue and fished him out!

The 'Babes' are in town

Look out for the 'Babes' they are in town and painting the town red. Have you seen them? who are they? I hear you ask. Fancy a sneak preview. Introducing 'Lusty Lucy' every mans dream.......

History of the garden gnome

Vintage leaflet showing some fine Philipp Griebel gnomes printed 1900

Gnomes have been part of German folklore since the early 1400's. The first ever recorded garden gnome was produced in Graeferoda, Thuringia, Germany in the 1800's. They were generally made of terracotta clay and were beautifully painted. By 1872 August Heissner and Philipp Griebel were turning out gnomes in large quantities. Several more gnome manufacturers sprang up round the town. In fact, Thuringia became known as the gnome capital of Europe.