Gardens and gardening are one of Britain’s most popular pastimes. From window boxes and private gardens, to allotments and large public gardens, gardens are enjoyed by millions. Up the Garden Path will be an occasion for celebrating Britain’s culture of gardening through an exploration of the personal and social benefits gardens bring us.
Why do we love gardens and find them so engaging? In what ways do they do us good? How can the social benefits of gardens and gardening be maximised? And, what should we be doing with our gardens now to make sure the benefits they can bring us will be secured for the future?
The conference will bring together some leading figures and icons of the gardening world to discuss these issues. The conference will be of interest to all gardens enthusiasts, to all professionally engaged in gardening and, to anyone interested in learning about the wonderful societal resource our gardens represent. Visits to Windsor Great Park’s Savill Garden and Valley Gardens will be included in the programme. An exhibition of artwork by members of The Society of Botanical Artists will be launched during the conference.
Confirmed speakers:
Professor Chris Baines, wildlife TV presenter, conservationist and gardener
Ursula Buchan, garden journalist (The Daily Telegraph) and author
Dr Stephen Dowbiggin, Principal and Chief Executive, Capel Manor College
Mark Flanagan, Keeper of the Gardens, the Crown Estate
Bob Flowerdew, organic gardener, TV and radio presenter
John Gilbert, garden designer
Sue Minter, Former Head of Living Collections, the Eden Project; Former Curator, Chelsea Physic Garden
Richard Reynolds, the guerrilla gardener
Graham Sanderson, Head Gardener, The Valley Gardens
Dr Paul Smith, Kew Gardens, Head of the Millennium Seed Bank Project
Harvey Stephens, Head Gardener, The Savill Garden
Dr Simon Thornton-Wood, RHS Director of Science and Learning
Andrew Wilson, Founding Director, the London School of Garden Design
For all registration inquiries, please contact:
Mrs Janis Reeves, Conference Co-ordinator, Cumberland Lodge
01784 497 794
janis@cumberlandlodge.ac.uk
