The architect and grotto builder Vernon Gibberd has died aged 88. One of the earliest members of the Folly Fellowship, he was our first and only Grot Secretary.

I went to his memorial service in Monmouth on Monday, and he gave me one final gift. As I drove into town, I saw a tower on a hill. Immediately we veered up the nearest drive and into a stable yard. ‘Ken Ay hilp you?’ enquired a woman rather grandly.

‘Oh yes, please, I’m writing a book for Historic England (forgetting for a moment I was in the Land of my Fathers) and I’d love to know more about that tower on yonder hill’ (I can speak English as well as anyone).

‘This men will hilp you,’ she declared and marched off.

‘Global, this place is,’ he smiled. ‘We’ve got the Japanese coming next week.’

I smiled and nodded incomprehendingly. ‘Can you tell me about that tower up on that hill?’

‘Noo-o-o-o,’ he said. ‘Lord Llangattock built that. Rolls-Royce.’

‘Err … can I get there?’

‘Yee-e-e-s. Go to Orchard Farm. They’ll let you in. Next drive along.’

I thanked him, and as I was getting back into the car I turned back. ‘Why the Japanese?’

‘It’s global,’ he said again. ‘This,’ indicating the stable block, ‘is where Queen recorded ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’!’

The famous Rockfield Studios, home to Dave Edmunds and many more rock icons! I had no idea.

We drove up an assault course of a drive, fording small lakes and ravines. Mrs Farmer at the top was warm and welcoming, offering me a pair of wellies to negotiate the half mile more to the folly. As I was decked out in full funeral kit, I had to decline, but she told me more about Caxton’s Tower, as it is called. It was built by Lord Llangattock, father of C S Rolls, the founder of Rolls-Royce, in the 1870s. There’s a statue to Charles Rolls in the centre of Monmouth. The tower was recently bought by an Englishman to turn into a holiday home, but his wife didn’t care for it and it hasn’t been touched for three years. And that’s all we know, so far.

I’ve seen most follies in Great Britain and I know of several I haven’t seen. But this one, I am ashamed to say, was completely unknown to me.

So thank you Vernon. I am sure you guided me to this.

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