Thurs 12th April 2.00 p.m.
Magnolias at White House Farm
Our visit to Maurice and Rosemary Foster’s sensational garden last year was such a success that we begged them to allow us to come again. Maurice and Rosemary are remarkable plantsmen. Maurice is a member of the RHS Woody Plant Committee and was recently awarded the Victorian Medal of Honour. His knowledge of shrubs and trees is immense. Many rare plants in the garden have been collected from the wild or bred by the Fosters. This time we shall see their collection of magnolias which include a number of rarities but no doubt there will be many other treasures to enjoy as well.
Venue White House Farm, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks TN15 0NN
Cost £16 to include tea and a donation to the Woodland Trust
Wed 16 May 2.30 p.m.
The Elizabethan and Jacobean Deer Parks of Kent
Susan Pittman wrote her doctoral thesis on Elizabethan and Jacobean Deer Parks in Kent. She has kindly agreed to give a talk on deer parks and her chosen location for this is the beautiful C16 manor house of Boughton Monchelsea Place which has its own deer park and herd of fallow deer. The 1650 boundaries of the park still survive. After her talk we shall have a tour of the park and the charming garden and the afternoon will end with cream tea.
Venue Boughton Monchelsea Place, Maidstone ME17 4BU
Cost £20 to include cream tea
Friday 22nd June 10.30 a.m.
A day on the downs near Wye
Bay and Annie Green’s 3 acre garden at Downs Court, Boughton Aluph, with its fine views over the surrounding countryside, has fine trees, mixed borders with many unusual plants and mature hedges of box and yew. Shrub roses and a rose arch pathway are special features. An armillary sphere and water feature by the leading contemporary designer, David Harber, are recent additions to the garden.
Lunch at The New Flying Horse in Wye
Over the last 50 years Sir Charles Jessel has created a beautiful garden around South Hill Farm, his C17/18 house on the downs above Wye with many rare and unusual shrubs and a variety of roses old and new which should be at their best. Old walls support a variety of climbers and other features include a formal water garden and a ha ha. We will have tea in the garden
Venues:
10.30 a.m. Downs Court, Church Lane, Boughton Aluph TN25 4EU
2.30 p.m. South Hill Farm, Hastingleigh, Wye TN25 5HL
Cost £25 to include morning coffee, sandwich lunch and tea
Restoring the Salutation
Sunday 21st July 2.30 p.m.
When the present owners, Mr and Mrs Parker bought the Salutation, the garden designed by Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll was sadly degraded. Since then it has been beautifully restored and replanted. Steve Edney, former head gardener, will take us round the garden and tell us how this has been achieved and how it has been possible to retain the Edwardian atmosphere while accommodating around 30,000 visitors each year. We will have tea in the Tea Room.
Venue: The Salutation, Nightrider Street, Sandwich CT13 9EW
Cost: £16 to include entrance, guided tour and tea
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An C18 landscape park in Maidstone – Lottery money well spent?
Tuesday 9th October 11.0 a.m.
In 2009 the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund awarded £1.8 million for the restoration and improvement of Mote Park. The park which is on the outskirts of Maidstone is one of the largest public parks in the south east and provides a wonderful green space for the residents of the town. It was designed for Lord Romney in the late C18/early C19 and although it has been owned by Maidstone Borough Council since 1929 the original designed landscape is virtually intact with a large lake, cascades, pavilion and boat house. Lewis Small, the project manager for the restoration will escort us round the park and explain how the recreational needs of local people are being balanced with a sensitive programme of restoration. We will have a sandwich lunch in the Café in the Park. Tea will be served in the Café after our tour.
Venue: Mote Park, Mote Avenue, Maidstone ME15 7SX
Cost: £20 to include coffee on arrival, sandwich lunch and tea
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Tuesday 30th October 7.00 p.m.
Rose gardens or briar patches? How will parks and gardens fare in an age of austerity?
Our speaker at our annual autumn lecture is Jonathan Lovie, Principal Conservation Officer and Policy Adviser at the Garden History Society. We are delighted that Jonathan has agreed to talk to us. He has unrivalled knowledge of historic parks and gardens throughout the country and the ever present threats to their survival. Jonathan is a consultant undertaking historic landscape research and a member of the Council of the National Trust. He writes and lectures widely.
Venue: Lenham Community Centre, Lenham, Maidstone ME17 2QT
Price: £18 including wine and light refreshments
Please apply for tickets on the enclosed form or telephone Sue Chipchase on 01233 811611
