Nan Fran

Everyone in Three Little Woods knows Nan Fran the wise, kind-hearted grandmother who holds the community together with tea, cake, and compassion.

She raised Dan the Gardener in her cosy, wind-powered cottage Fernleigh, teaching him that patience, kindness, and laughter can make anything grow, whether it’s a seed, a friendship, or a dream. Her garden bursts with colour and life: herbs, vegetables, bees, butterflies, and the sweet scent of apple blossom drifting through the air.

Nan Fran is always busy, baking pies for the village fair, organising seasonal events, and helping Jennifer Pickles with her outdoor classes. She’s a quiet environmentalist, practising what she preaches: composting leftovers, saving rainwater, and finding creative ways to reuse and recycle.

When Jake visits, she channels his boundless energy into gentle, grounding tasks kneading dough, stirring jam, or waiting for bread to rise. She knows that, like seeds, children grow best when nurtured with time, patience, and love.

Nan Fran believes every neighbour and every creature has a place at her table. The kettle is always on, the oven always warm, and Fernleigh’s garden gate is never locked.

Her motto: “A home where kindness grows and everyone belongs.”

Nan Fran is also well known for baking and cooking; see some of her recipes here.