AFTER a lifetime of working in a factory, Beryl Brindley has turned her hands to garden creations - with her hedges becoming the talk of Eastwood.
The 76-year-old, of Shewton Street, has taught herself topiary in her retirement and spent 12 years chopping a range of figures in her back garden.
Mrs Brindley has seven in all, including jockeys jumping over hedges, spinning tops and even a comfy, leafy armchair.
But the modest lady thought nothing of her hard work and it took her husband of 50 years calling The Post to see it celebrated.
Keith Brindley, 78, first met his wife when they were working at the car seat factory Birnam's Products in Eastwood in the 1950s.
He said: "I saw the article about the bush with the word 'one' carved into it in the paper and wanted to show everyone what my wife has done in our garden.
"She has worked so hard at it and is entirely self-taught. I'm so proud of her and it is a real talking point with the neighbours."
Mrs Brindley is now working on her next creation – a greenery tortoise.
She said: "He thinks I've worked hard but to me it is nothing out of the ordinary. I just wanted a hobby!"
But the gardening fanatic admits it has taken a long time to perfect her art.
"The ideas just come to me when I look at a bush and decide what shape I can make out of it," she added. "I do spend a lot of hours working on it but it is all worth it in the end.
"I just need to keep on top of it!"
Do you have unusual designs in your garden? Let us know at newsdesk@nottinghampost.com.
