Books
Beyond the Garden:
Where My Words Take Root
My passion for the natural world spills over from flourishing landscapes onto the written page. I have written two books that offer unique perspectives on nature, history, and the human connection to it all - both available to buy on Amazon with all profits going to charity.
The Woodcutter’s Story
This is a small book which I wrote, illustrated and subsequently published in October 2014.
The book is divided into two sections. The first section contains descriptions and photographs of community garden projects and exhibits at RHS shows which I created over several years. The second and main part of the book contains a fictional story based upon my experiences of creating garden exhibits for RHS shows.
It is the tale of a woodsman who finds that his passion for creating the winning exhibit at a local show clouds his judgement as to what is really important, with disastrous consequences. The story is picked up many generations later to provide a heartwarming ending. It is a simple tale containing a strong ethical and moral message.
This book can be purchased on Amazon, with all profits from book sales going to Cancer Research UK.
Shambolic Tapestry
My second book, published in 2021, describes the natural and human history of a particular Somerset landscape which is very close to my heart. The summary on the back cover says:
“Many books have been written about the intertwined history of humanity and the landscape, but probably none quite like this one. Mark Walker combines his knowledge of the natural world with his own theories, all served up with a hefty dose of rural Somerset charm.
He tells the story of his native landscape through the eyes of three tree characters, the oak, the ash and the hazel, who describe their experiences with humans and other animal and plant species from the time they first arrived on these shores to the present day. Woven into this is the story of his own life, and how his fate was shaped by his relationship with the trees.
Mark’s laid-back attitude to life shines through in the gentle, humorous but often lyrical style of his writing. This is an enjoyable, light-hearted and thought-provoking ramble through time, and you may never see the countryside in quite the same light again.”
This book can be purchased on Amazon, with all profits from book sales going to YACWAG – Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group.