Programme 2025

Join us for a short AGM … followed by a fun group quiz with prizes AND wine & nibbles!

Competition- five snowdrops

The Foster Iris Collection – Lucy Skellorn

Lucy Skellorn was training to be a gardener when, during a chat to a former head gardener at Sissinghurst, she discovered the history of one of her illustrious ancestors, her great great grandfather, Michael Foster. Michael was a professor of Biology at Cambridge University. His hobby was gardening, particularly growing irises, which he collected and bred. Lucy has followed in his footsteps and now has her own nationally recognised collection.

Competition- five daffodils/narcissi

The World of Alpines – David Livermore 

David is an expert in alpines. He is the Honorary Secretary of the Bedfordshire Alpine Garden Society. The society is an international, UK based organisation primarily concerned with the cultivation of alpine and mountain plants from around the world.

Competition- a vase of Spring flowers

Easter raffle for Perennial (the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society)

Italian Gardens – Alan Mason

Alan is one of Europe’s top garden designers. As a young man he became head gardener at Bramham Park in Yorkshire. He then took Harewood House into the top ten most visited gardens in Britain. Alan has presented Gardeners World on Radio 4 and is a founder member of The Professional Gardeners Guild. He has travelled extensively and worked in gardens in France and Italy.

Competition- five tulips

Beating the Winter Blues – Geoff Hodge

Winter can be a difficult time to create adequate interest and colour in the garden. Geoff will give us a range of hints and tips on how to make the most of the winter garden and suggest plants that are suitable for this time of year. Geoff is a popular speaker. He has written eight gardening books and is a free-lance garden writer for various national gardening magazines as well as a Radio broadcaster.

Competition- one rose

Four Day Club Tour to Northumbria 

Three nights at The Holiday Inn, Gosforth Park, Newcastle. The itinerary includes visits to the Holy Island (Lindisfarne) Newby Hall, Howick Hall and Arboretum, Alnwick Gardens, Belsay Hall, castle and gardens and RHS Harlow Carr. 

Soirée at 6.30pm                

By kind courtesy of TBD

Entry by ticket – members given priority

Club raffle

A Taste of Capel Manor – Anne Luder

Nestled in Enfield, Capel Manor is a Georgian House which has over 40 colourful gardens across a 30-acre estate. Until her retirement, Anne lectured at Capel Manor College, London’s only environmental college which is set in the grounds. Anne has worked as a gardening designer for over 25 years specialising in therapeutic horticulture for severe physical disabilities. She will talk about the history of Capel Manor as well as a look at some of her favourite gardens and anecdotes.

Competition- a vase of summer flowers

Climbers and Ramblers for Every Situation – Simon White

Simon is Garden Centre Sales Manager at Peter Beales Garden Centres in Norfolk. He has over 40 years of experience and a vast knowledge of all things horticultural.

Humphry Repton and his Red Books – Eleanor Jack

Learn about the fascinating life of Humphry Repton 1752- 1818 who was the last of the great designers of the classic phase of the English landscape gardens, often regarded as the successor to Capability Brown. He produced designs for the foremost country houses of the day. He is famous for before and after sketches of his garden designs which he presented to his clients in a red book.

Competition- a vase of Autumn flowers

Dahlia 101 from Tuber to Vase – Kim O’Brien

Kim is a flower grower and floral designer living in Cambridgeshire. She won a Gold Medal for her debut show at the BBC Gardeners world Autumn Fair. She is a resident garden expert on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, and her speciality flower is the dahlia.

Competition- Autumn foliage incorporating berries

Deck the Halls – Julie Woods

Thinking of Christmas …. Julie is a national demonstrator and a member of NAFAS. She also teaches flower arranging locally.

Followed by our Splendid Christmas Buffet and Christmas Raffle for Perennial