The talks outlined below will be held at Vision Hall, Christ Church, Watling Street, Radlett WD7 7JJ, starting at 8pm. Entry to all talks is £4 except the first one which is a bargain at £2 per person.
Wednesday, 20 March 2024 The Flora and Fauna of Taiwan and Vietnam By Peter Hordern Our Chairman has entertained us with his travels on previous occasions. This time he will give an illustrated talk on the flora and fauna with a bit of history and up to date observations from his and his wife’s recent trip to these countries. Provided of course that a) the Chinese haven’t invaded and b) all the flora and fauna hasn’t been eaten! Wednesday, 22 May 2024 Death in the Garden By Michael Brown Over the centuries poisonous plants have been used to remove an unwanted partner or rival, as aphrodisiacs, for pest control and the means to foretell the future or even speak with the gods. Be warned, many of these plants may well be growing in your garden. Learn about the mysterious mandrake and how a pot of Basil helped to conceal a savage murder. This is a popular talk as it appeals equally to gardeners and non-gardeners alike. Michael studied for his MA in Garden History at Birkbeck College whilst a full-time college lecturer and has written a book entitled Death in the Garden which proved so popular it went to a second print run. |
Wednesday, 24 July 2024
A BLAZE OF GLORY – making your garden colourful in the autumn By Timothy Walker Timothy returns by popular demand – he is an extremely funny, competent and engaging speaker. This talk aims to show how you can have colour in your garden right through the Autumn until the first frosts. It includes how the autumn borders at Oxford Botanic Garden were conceived and constructed and it finishes with a look at autumn colour in a small garden. Timothy joined the staff of the University of Oxford Botanic Garden 1980 as a trainee and then spent 26 years as Director. He is now a lecturer in Plant Sciences at Somerville College, Oxford. His specialities are Euphorbias and plant conservation. Wednesday, 20 November 2024, AGM The Christmas Garden By Nick Dobson The Festive Season is usually regarded as a horticultural hiatus – a time when there’s very little going on. In this illustrated talk we will see that Christmas offers much to the gardener. His talk should be amusing! Nick looks at colourful plants that brighten the indoor and outdoor garden, and how to create a year-round Christmas-themed Garden. He also looks in depth at the most beloved Yuletide plant, the Christmas Tree. Nick used to be Principal Librarian for Redbridge but since 2012 he has earned a meagre living by doing talks on a wide range of subjects. Nick is a former National Fuchsia Champion and has performed in semi-professional productions of light opera throughout London and the southeast. |