If you’ve walked or driven up Eastwick Road, in Taunton, it’s likely you’ve spoken about Derek Moore - maybe without even realising it, writes Phil Hill.
You can’t help but notice the incredible array of model birds and animals decorating the hedge and patio in front of his semi-detached house.
It has brought happiness to so many children living with disabilities, all inspired by the kindness shown to his own son around 50 years ago.
Derek was born in a Nissen hut on an Army camp in Chard.
He said: “My dad died when I was a baby so I have no memory of him.
“I was the youngest of five siblings and I don’t know much about my time there.
“It must have been tough for my mum, who worked as a housekeeper.”
Derek’s family moved to Bondleigh, a village near North Tawton, in Devon, where he lived for 17 years.
After school, he studied at a technical college in Tiverton, learning electric, masonry, carpentry and other manual skills.
“I got a job with Devon County Council, working with my stepfather on highways,” added Derek.
“I throughly enjoyed it and was there for 25 or 26 years.”
While in Devon, he married his wife, Gillian, and the couple had two sons.
The younger son, Ray, contracted meningitis as a toddler.
“It was touch and go whether he lived or not,” said Derek, now aged 76.
“He eventually came through, but it left him deaf and dumb.
“When he reached school age, they wanted to put him in a special school in Exeter, boarding away from home.
“I said, ‘No’ and we came to live in Taunton 48 years ago when he was accepted at Monkton Priors School.
“Ray received treatment at Musgrove Park Hospital and regained his speech and hearing through their perseverance.”
Read more
Interview: Meet the Somerset woman who rehomes Rottweilers
Interview: Meet the Taunton funeral director who helped bury the Krays
Interview: The remarkable life of Taunton centenarian Bob Falkingham
In Taunton, Derek was employed by the former Taunton Deane Borough Council highways department.
He retired on health grounds 30 years ago and, since his wife died five years ago, lives alone with Ray, now 54, in their home in Eastwick Road.
To brighten up his front garden, he initially used his manual skills to cut bird figures into the hedge.
More recently, a passer-by suggested putting a little bird figure on the hedge.
He said: “A young woman with three children with special needs has supported me all the way.
“I started putting more birds in and then more recently moved onto animals such as a bear, pig, gorilla and tortoise.
“A lot of children with disabilities are going up and down after school and they love it.
“I asked parents if they’d like to have a bird or animal named after their children.
“They agreed, so all the models have names now - sometimes the mothers want their names on them as well.
“It really makes the kids’ days.
“One girl with autism couldn’t speak until we got her out there and within three months she was counting from one to 10, then we had her talking a bit more, and now she can hold a conversation.
“One boy insisted on being brought round every evening to make sure his bird was still here.”
News of Derek’s front garden has spread, and he’s been visited by people from as far afield as Canada, Bulgaria, Cuba, the Netherlands and Poland.
“The inspiration of it all came after my wife died and I knew I had to do something rather than just staying indoors all the time,” said Derek.
“I was so grateful for the treatment that Ray received when he needed it, and it gives me pleasure making so many children and their parents happy.”
Share