September 28th  - Matthew Biggs , please stress entrance £5 Lincolnshire members and £10 everyone else. “PERFECT PLANTS FOR PROBLEM PLACES”

Matthew Biggs is a radio personality in the UK, best known for his appearances on the long running BBC Radio 4 programme Gardeners Question Time.He has been a professional gardener for over 25 years, since studying at Pershore College of Horticulture and the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.

 

October 26th - Val Bourne, CNN Vice President - " Winter Gardening "

Val Bourne is an award-winning garden writer, organic gardener and lecturer and she gardens on the wind-swept Cotswolds at Spring Cottage – high above Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire. Her third of an acre garden is managed without using chemicals – something Val has always believed in. She is a hands on gardener and a committed plantaholic. Who has recently who was an HPS Ambassador is CNN now Vice President. 

 

November 23rd  - Keith Willey of the Garden Room and Wildside ,Risk-taking in Landscape : a new approach to naturalistic garden-making.

Looking at the treasure trove of gardening inspiration to be found in nature, from right under our noses to far-flung corners of the globe, we can loosen the strait-jacket that long-established horticultural practices impose on us, allowing a more creative and expressive form of gardening.

 

December 14th- Members to Bring and Share Food and drink to celebrate Christmas.

 

January 25th - Tom Nichols , Senior Gardener York Gate “PETER KORN - GROWING IN SAND. 

A magical one acre garden near Leeds, Yorkgate is one of Perennials three Gardens.

 

February 22nd- Martin Walker , “THE NATIONAL COLLECTIONS AT LEEDS BOTANICAL GARDENS”

Designed, advised, built and grew plants for RHS Chelsea Flower Show Educational garden for Leeds University. Gardening for Champions, which received a Gold Medal 2012. Former Head Gardener at York Gate Garden Adel Leeds, now a member of the gardens committee.Volunteer at the Harrogate Flower Shows, designing, constructing and presenting on the Kitchen Garden Stage with renown chef consultant, Steph Moon. Moved to a small hamlet near Malton, retired to create our own garden.experience of TV and radio presenting, confident public speaker, wide experience of talking to horticultural groups.Former trustee of Askham Bryan College & The Yorkshire Gardens Trust.

 

March 22nd - Gail Harland - Creating a Cottage Garden.

Gail was born in Aldridge in 1963 and grew up in Sutton Coldfield, she now lives in Suffolk where she has a cottage garden of about one acre, which she shares with her husband, her two sons and a variety of ducks and chickens. Gail gained a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics form the University of Wales and started writing articles for the horticultural press in 1993, and was awarded The Royal Horticultural Society's Diploma in Horticulture in 1999. 

She is a professional dietitian and keen photographer, Horticultural writer and Author of a number of books including - "The Tomato Book" and "Designing and Creating a Cottage Garden" Plus many more publications.

Gail has also has work published by a number of magazines including - The lady, Amateur Gardening , Country Small Holding and Parrots.

As a active member of many horticultural societies including the Royal Horticultural Society, The Alpine Garden Society,The Hardy Plant Society and the Cottage Garden Society. Gail is the Secretary for the Peony Group of the Hardy Plant Society.

 

 

 

April 26th - Alun Whitehead - “AULDEN FARM- FROM CONCEPTION TO CHAOS"

The remnants of the farm can clearly be seen from the old calving-stall, hay-barn, pig-stye and the not too steady hen house. These add to the relaxed atmosphere and lend themselves to an informal style. However, both informal and formal have been mixed to add a touch of quirkiness.

Jill & Alun are both keen plantaholics and over the years a depth of knowledge has been built up in irises, among others. For many years they have maintained a large collection of Siberian Irises and have been Hardy Plant Society members for over 25 years.