Fred Cleary Frederick Ernest Cleary (1905-1984)
CBE, was originally a
Chartered Surveyor from
Crouch End, London. Later, he formed a very successful company ‘Haslemere Estates’, who refurbished many of the
City of London’s fine old buildings during the 70's and 80's. In 1970, he formed the Bay Trust to 'preserving the natural environment in the proximity of St. Margaret’s Bay and undertaking related environmental education initiatives'. This was due to his work in inner London, where he created green and restful spaces in the City, often on the site of bomb damaged sites. His philanthropic activities and his writing of two books ‘Beauty and the Borough’ and ‘The Flowering City’, resulting in him earning the nickname ‘Flowering Fred’. In 1975 Fred purchased and refurbished an old rectory building ('Ripple Down House') in
Ringwould. This became an environmental education centre for children.
Garden The Bay Trust bought the house and the gardens in 1960s. Edda Jones, an artist, was staying in the house, while the Trust added to the garden before they opened it to the public But later the cottage would be demolished as it was not
energy inefficient and could not be converted. The garden also hosts many projects by
contemporary artists. ==The Calyx Centre==