On Monday 19 April 2021, we had a Zoom lecture by Abigail Willis – The Secret Gardens of Somerset. Abigail Willis is an arts and gardening writer whose latest book, Secret Gardens of Somerset, explores the horticultural riches of the county that she has called home for nearly twenty years. Featuring stunning images by Clive …
Nick Hamilton developed his passion for gardening, aged 9, when his father purchased a derelict garden centre in Kettering. He worked with his dad at weekends and during school holidays. He trained at Writtle College in commercial horticulture and his sandwich year placement was at Darby Nursery Stock in Norfolk where he later worked and …
Tamsin Westhorpe is well known as an editor, garden writer and lecturer. However, she prefers to be known as a gardener. Throughout her 25 year horticultural career she has focused on the practicalities of gardening. She is proud to say that she’s been a parks gardener and green keeper and is very at home at …
Elizabeth Sawday grows roses on the Chichester plain in a little village called Apuldram. Elizabeth grew up just down the road in Birdham and her first love was ponies and horses. She hated school, left early and started working from 15 years old; she graduated over the years from picking tomatoes, looking after children, waitressing …
Andrew Mikolajski has a busy career as a gardening author, lecturer and speaker. Author of over 30 books, he was a horticultural adviser on the new edition of the RHS A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants and is now an RHS judge. Other titles include The World Encyclopedia of Apples, RHS Pruning Plant by Plant and, …
Chris Watts has been a volunteer Estate Guide at Tyntesfield since 2006 and it didn’t take him long to realise how fascinating the trees are. He knew very little about trees when he started but is now introduced to people as the ‘Tree Man’; Tyntesfield’s very own (very amateur!) dendrologist. Not too long after Chris …
Toria Britten is an enthusiastic flower grower and floral designer. She supplies wildly beautiful flowers for weddings and events, teaching is also a passion and workshops are held throughout the growing season. ‘Leading the Flowers’ from the Farm Gold Medal winning flower team at Chelsea was an honour and highlight of 2018.
Val Bourne is a celebrated garden writer, photographer and lecturer. She has won multiple awards including Journalist of the Year from the Garden Media Guild. Val is a regular contributor to The Daily Telegraph, among others, and she gardens on the wind-swept Cotswolds at Spring Cottage – high above Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire. Val is a …
The talk will include their history, how to grow them, planting ideas and an overview of some of the best varieties from our collection. Wildegoose Nursery started back in 2011 as specialist growers of hardy perennial and scented violas. The Violas remain at the heart of our business, but our passion for plants has always …
Chis Sperring MBE is Conservation Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust, as well as a popular wildlife lecturer and broadcaster. He is a dedicated conservationist who lives in Portishead with his family. Chris is a passionate speaker whose inspiring talks are always well received