All talks are held at the Askham Bryan College Conference Centre unless otherwise stated.
Thursday 23 January 2025 at 7.30pm
Life after Peat
by Julian Davies,
Agronomist and Commercial Director, Stockbridge Technology Centre Ltd, Cawood
Many gardeners have not been particularly impressed with the peat-free composts which have been developed over the years. They often report having had poor or variable results across a wide range of plant species. Commercial growers also have concerns and some are getting more worried as the 2030 deadline for the industry approaches. This talk will look at the development of peat-free composts, what they contain, the testing that goes on at sites such at Stockbridge and what gardeners can do to minimise the risk of getting poor results.
Thursday 20 February 2025 at 7.30pm
Roman Gardens in Pompeii
by Professor Maureen Carroll,
University of York
Professor Carroll will present a tour through the gardens of Roman Pompeii, revealing the archaeological and botanical remains that allow us to reconstruct gardens in houses, villas, temples and suburban estates and to experience how important green and productive spaces were in everyday life in Pompeii.
Thursday 27 March 2025 at 7.30pm
Carnivorous Plants: History, Varieties and Care
a talk by Peter and Helleentje Walker
from Wack’s Wicked Plants
The talk will cover Peter and Helleentje’s journey to the stage their business has reached (with 3 Chelsea Gold Medals, making a living from the nursery/shows – they have the biggest selection of Venus Flytrap cultivars in the UK), plant types and care – and also a demonstration of how to create a pot of horrors!
There will be plants for sale.
Thursday 17 April 2025 at 7.30pm
Club AGM
followed by
The Fauna and Flora of York Cemetery
by Clive Dawson
Forty years ago the cemetery was derelict and overgrown and the owners bankrupt. In 1987 a group of concerned individuals formed the York Cemetery Trust and bought the site for £1.
Since then a dedicated team of volunteers and staff has restored the area to a full working cemetery while cultivating the site as a wildlife wonderland.
Clive Dawson is Chairman of the Friends of York Cemetery. He has been involved for nearly 25 years and regularly leads groups and gives talks in aid of the charity. He will be taking us on a pictorial walk through the cemetery and sharing with us his knowledge of the flora and fauna to be found in this green oasis so near to the centre of York.