Stage built by late master thatcher Simon Sinkinson now a 'fitting tribute' at Furzey Gardens

A HAND-CRAFTED stage created by master thatcher Simon Sinkinson before his death earlier this year has taken pride of place at Furzey Gardens in Minstead as a tribute to him.

Simon built the wooden stage, which he called Oakwood, so he would have somewhere to sit peacefully in his garden, and for his children to enjoy with singing, dancing and parties.

Thanks to his widow Anna, the stage has now been taken from the family’s home in Winsor, near Cadnam, to the gardens which are run by the Minstead Trust and where Simon worked for 45 years.

Anna watched as the theatre moved in. She said: “It means everything about Simon and his creativity. His love for young people, life, music, arts, creation.

“To have it here now that he is no longer with us is brilliant because all these children and all these people will see it regularly and be able to perform and enjoy it for what it was intended for.

“I know he will be pleased, and for us as a family to know we will always be able to come here and see it – that is marvellous for us.”

Minstead Trust’s founder, the Rev. Tim Selwood, said the stage will be used for activities such as plays and storytelling.

He said the tales would be “especially about the little people, the fairies who were so dear to Simon’s heart”.

Simon became famous for the little fairy doors he scattered throughout the gardens which delighted young visitors.

He was also known for creating part of an exhibit that won gold at the 2012 Chelsea Flower Show.

Having lived in the New Forest all his life, he regularly worked for the National Trust, the Barker-Mill Estates and countless private clients. Hishis expertise took him as far as France and the Inner Hebrides in Scotland.

Paying tribute to Simon, the Rev. Selwood said: “He had a real genius for creation. The stage is one of the last things he made.

“It fits in so well here and is a fitting tribute to him.”