Talks

Dahlias by Richard Ramsey March 2022

Spring Ideas by Simon Horrill October 2022 , Big Ideas October 2023 and Colours August 2025

Clematis through the seasons by Everett Leeds Feb 2023

50 shades of Grey ( shady plants ) by Colin Moat March 2023

Gardens of Surrey by Cherrill Sands  a local consultant garden historian August 2023

Brussel Sprouts to Tangerines by Jacqueline Aviolet December 2023 and I am a Tulip Feb 2025

Dan Cooper Containers in the Garden March 2024

AGM 14 August  2024 a Beekeeping Challenges 2024   Pauline Lane and Peter Jones

Steve Edney - The Long Border September 2024

Caroline Halfpenny Scentsational Gardening  November 2024  and  4 October 2025 t Garden Design Techniques - the use of plants in Design 

Lynne Moore of Moore and Moore plant nursery - A Blessing in Disguise  - A shady spot is the perfect place to grow some unusual and beautiful perennials March 2025

A note from Lynne after the talk

Just wanted to say a big thank you to you for the invitation to come and speak to the group and for the warm welcome extended to Steve and I by everyone. What a lovely, friendly group. 

  1 November 2025 Barry Newman gave a talk on THE MODERN KITCHEN GARDEN 

A general talk in three parts, covering the traditional approach to growing vegetables then moving on to container growing for those with limited space and finally to raised bed cultivation which I regard as the modern way ahead for those wishing to grow for the table.

Barry is a well known grower, exhibitor, lecturer and judge.

He is a member of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Committee and a former Chairman of the National Vegetable Society.

As well as being a senior NVS judge, Barry serves on the judging and lecturing panel of the RHS he is also a Britain in Bloom judge. 

Barry was formally trained in horticulture at Pershore, York and Bath.

Much of his working life was in local authority amenity provision around the country, retiring in 2005. 

In 2022 Barry was awarded the Kew Guild Medal for distinguished service to the horticultural industry. 

Roses Revisited ‘ – the old , the new and what to do’  A Talk by  Gillian Taylor 31 January 2026 
This is the story of how Gillian became a lover of Roses so that from having only two a few years ago she has progressed to growing around 250 varieties in her collection. The talk will discuss the diverse types of Rose that are available, where to buy them, how to use them in various garden settings, where to see them, their care, and suggestions for companion plants to use with them. 

Gillian has provided a couple of fact sheets which are below 

Steve Edney  7 March 2026  Succession planting

Planning a border and garden so you always have something flowering is a challenge, in this talk we will look at plant choices through the year that can work together to give you interest in all seasons.

After studying at Hadlow College in Horticulture and Merrist Wood college studying Arboriculture, Steve spent several years as a highly respected private gardener, tree surgeon and designer. In 2005, he joined The Salutation to helm its huge restoration project.  The completed gardens were recognised as amongst the finest in the country winning multiple awards including Britain’s most romantic garden 2018 by the Good Hotel Guide.

Steve was appointed to the RHS Herbaceous Committee and membership of the RHS plant trial forums. He is a multiple RHS Gold medal winner with “Best in Show” at Hampton Court 2019. Steve has appeared on tv several times including Gardeners’ World.

He is a contributor to numerous professional publications such as Gardens Illustrated and contributes to the award-winning “Sunday Gardening” show on BBC Radio Kent.

In 2018 Steve and The Salutation Garden won Gold at RHS Hampton Court in the floral marquee for a display of exotic plants.  In 2019 Steve won Gold at Chelsea and later that year won Gold and the coveted “Tudor Rose Award” for Best in Show at Hampton Court. In 2019 Steve and The Salutation won a gold award from Kent Wildlife Trust for gardening for wildlife.

Since 2019 Steve and his partner Louise have been working on their own project “The Land” where they have built The No Name Nursery, a sustainable plant nursery in Kent.

Jean Griffin - Lets talk Gardening 9 May 

This was an interactive talk - no slides ! based on Jean's experiences . 

Jean Griffin was educated at Neath Girls Grammar School before starting work experience with the local Parks Department followed by professional horticultural courses firstly at Studley College, Warwickshire and secondly at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. She has spent all her life working in both the Amenity and Commercial sections of the horticultural industry. 
As Head of Horticulture at Brinsbury ( Chichester College) Jean was passionate about giving qualifications to less able students and worked with NPTC and City and Guilds to achieve this. She was accepted as a Fellow of the Institute of Horticulture and has been involved with Horticultural Education for most of her career, teaching and supporting staff of all age groups and varying abilities.  Jean also holds a Further Education teaching qualification from Portsmouth University.

Jean is a Garden expert presenter for the Gardening Programme on BBC Radio Kent, Surrey and Sussex. She has worked for the BBC since the 1970s when the station was Radio Brighton.
The main charities she supports are Perennial, St Catherine’s Hospice , St Michaels Hospice and is active on their behalf doing talks and Gardeners Question time slots at Garden Fairs and Open Gardens.
Jean is a Judge and Trustee for South and South East in Bloom part of the national ‘Britain in Bloom’ campaign and is a judge for London in Bloom.

Jean has been President of the Kew Guild, the alumni of RBG Kew.
As an enthusiastic facilitator, Jean likes nothing more than talking about plants and sharing gardening knowledge giving talks and advice to Horticulture Clubs and Societies
In her own words
‘I am a plant-a-holic’ with a garden full to the edge with interesting plants.

Feedback from other societies states Entertaining , amusing talk which was loved by everyone. Very Knowledgeable .

 

Workshops

Flower arranging workshop April 2022  and March 2023

Christmas workshops Dec 2022 and November 2023

Saturday 10th February 2024 – A discussion led by Sylvia Pocock (one of our show judges) 

Sylvia, a RHS Judge generously ran an informal chat and workshop for 20 members which was warmly received , and we all picked up a few tips to help with this years shows.

Visits

Visit to Wisley by coach 14 July 2022 

Self Drive to Munstead Wood, May 2023

Trip to RHS HYDE HALL July 2023

Self-drive visit to Heathside in Cobham 25 July 2023

Self-Drive to Orchard Cottage 28 May 2024

Self-Drive Visit to Tollsworth Manor, Chaldon 11 July  2024 ( now closed as Gordon is selling )

Coach Trip to West Dean 25 July 2024

A visit to RHS Lindley Library 28 January 2025

Feedback from members was very positive " Yes, yesterday was brilliant! Hadn't realised what we'd be in for but thought the information received was very good. "

Self-Drive to Shamley Wood Estate Guildford, Surrey, GU5 0SP on 22nd May @ 2.30pm which only opens by appointment.  

Coach Trip to Wisley 17th July 

This year about 20 of us we visited Wisley , on a pleasant day , cool with a short rain shower ( which was lovely after the dry spell ) The M25 treated us very kindly with no delays which gave everyone time to visit the areas that took their fancy.

Self-Drive to Titsey Place in Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0SA.  This an impressive manor house with beautiful gardens set in the stunning countryside of the North Downs, on 20th August 2025.

One of the largest surviving historical estates in Surrey. Magnificent ancestral home and gardens of the Gresham family since 1534. Stunning gardens including the walled kitchen gardens, landscaped lakes, and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Rose Garden.15 acres of Formal and Informal gardens.

Our visit included a guided tour of the gardens, followed by a guided house tour. 26 people joined us for the tours , the garden tours concentrated on the walled gardens and Rory , the head gardener shared many tips . The House tour was interesting and the guides great and it is not often to get so close up to so many wonderful objects , and it was lovely to see the house is still used by the family.

Some feedback below

Thank you for organising such a lovely visit. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The house tour was excellent . the guides really knowledgeable. And the garden tour too . especially as the gathering of seed heads was allowed!!! I'm hoping to produce some of those gigantic poppy heads for myself next year!! Thank you.

A visit to How Green Nursery 31 March 2026 , Hever

Established in 1982, This is a family run wholesale nursery ( TRADE ONLY ) and  occupies a five acre site, just 15 minutes from Junction 6 of the M25. They supply garden designers, landscapers, professional gardeners, local authorities and historic gardens.

We were able  to see what they grow, how they grow in peat-free compost,  and then there’s some plant retail therapy at the end!   

Some Feedback

It was lovely, and so interesting to hear how he got started. Good plants too!

A self drive to Fittleworth House and Meadow Farm on 23 June 2026
 

A three-acre tranquil, romantic, country garden with walled kitchen garden growing a wide range of fruit, vegetables and flowers including a large collection of dahlias. Large glasshouse and old potting shed, mixed flower borders, roses, rhododendrons and lawns. Magnificent 115ft tall cedar overlooks wisteria covered Grade II listed Georgian house (not open). Wild garden, long grass areas and stream.

Featured in the English Garden Dec 2024 and Gardens Illustrated April 2025

We were guided around the garden by the head gardener Mark Saunders who has worked at Fittleworth for the last 30 years . He is also a keen photographer and has his own web site Racing and Green. Check out Fittleworth's Instagram for wonderful pictures 

In the afternoon we visited Meadow Farm

This is a 2 acre garden, designed and planted by the current owners. Features include colour themed beds, double borders ,pond ,gravel garden . A pleached hornbeam avenue with views of the Sussex Countryside. A walled garden provides fruit , veg, and cut flowers. An orchard with a hazelwood walk, wildlife swimming pond and bog garden and a prairie bed - certainly lots of areas to view.