Thursday 21 August 7.30pm – Special Plants for Small Gardens
by Dr Peter Williams
Having a small garden can be a real asset as long as the plants are well chosen. This talk by Dr Peter Williams looks at aspects of small garden design and suggests plants that really earn their keep in a limited space. There will also be short diversions to look at special plants, people and topical issues.
Dr Williams is a retired plant scientist with specialist knowledge of plant ecology, physiology and micro-biology. He is a lifelong gardener and has run a small nursery which specialised in the propagation of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. He now writes about gardening matters for the Hardy Plants Journal.
Thursday 25 September at 7.30pm- English Tulips
by Teresa Clements
Teresa Clements, who is Chair of the RHS Bulb Committee, will tell us about the historic cultivation of English tulips and other aspects of their amazing range of colours and shapes. She will also point out the main difference between English and Dutch tulips.
Teresa will be using many colourful illustrations to use with her talk and there will be bulbs on sale at the meeting in time for the planting season.
Thursday 16 October at 7.30pm – The Geoffrey Smith Memorial Lecture
Sissinghurst, Hidcote and Great Dixter from a gardener’s perspective
by Martin Walker
For this year’s Geoffrey Smith Memorial Lecture, Martin Walker will be taking us on a walk through Sissinghurst, Hidcote and Great Dixter, looking at them from a gardener’s perspective.
Martin is highly qualified to appraise gardens, having been Head Gardener at York Gate Gardens and also Estate Manager at Temple Newsam and Lotherton Hall. He has been involved in the design, construction and planting of ten RHS Chelsea Show gardens, winning three gold medals. He is now retired but still presents at Harrogate Spring and Autumn Flower Shows.
Thursday 13 November at 7.30pm- Wild Flowers in our Verges
by Dr Margaret Atherden
Dr Atherden will be talking about the history and uses of our roadside verges and their importance as a refuge for wildlife, along with the management and conservation of roadside habitats.
She will also be talking about how individuals and communities can get involved in recording and restoring wild flowers in our verges.
Thursday 11 December at 7.30pm- Gardeners’ Question Time
As a change from our usual meetings – and for our Christmas social evening – we have organised a Gardeners’ Question Time. At the November meeting, members will be invited to submit questions and, if selected, will be able to put their question on the night.
We shall have a panel of three experienced gardeners:
Steve Bradley
He is a freelance garden writer, lecturer and broadcaster. He worked for the Sun newspaper writing a gardening column with the late and legendary Peter Seabrook. On retirement he moved back to York and joined the ABC gardening club. He gives talks to other groups and has been a panellist for their GQT events.
Sarah Hopps
A Yorkshire plant specialist, garden tour guide and NAFAS speaker. She has also been part of the panel on Radio York’s GQT.
Mike I’Anson
Mike lives locally and is the retired Head Gardener at Helmsley Walled Gardens
2026
Thursday 22 January – The Winter Garden: Garden thrillers to brighten the dark days
by Cathy Kitchingman and Georgina Bordwich from A Bright Prospect
Georgina is a professional gardener and Cathy owns and runs her own one-acre garden. The business, ‘A Bright Prospect’, was born out of a conversation during lockdown, when many of their friends described their desire to engage with their gardens but lacked the knowledge or confidence to do so. They run a range of hands-on practical gardening workshops throughout the year. Some courses focus on key areas of the garden, while others have a focus on the season. At our meeting in January they will be introducing us to some ‘Winter Thrillers’ which will bring both colour and scent to our winter gardens.
Thursday 19 February – A History of Valley Gardens, Harrogate, by Sue Wood
Valley Gardens, Harrogate, is 17 acres of English Heritage Grade II listed parkland, themed
gardens, floral displays and historic buildings. Sue will be telling us about the early developments which led to the opening of the gardens in 1887 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, the expansion of the gardens and facilities between 1918 and 1945, the post-war
horticultural shows and, finally, more recent developments.
Thursday 26 March – Growing Vegetables in Containers and Small Gardens by Keith Abel
One for those who enjoy growing vegetables or would like to do so. Not having an allotment or a large garden is not a barrier to growing your own vegetables. Keith will show us how you can harvest fresh vegetables all year round by planting in raised beds or containers.
Keith has requested that his fee for this talk be donated to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Thursday 23 April – Alpines by Mark Padget
Skerne Alpine Nursery, just two miles from Driffield, is a renowned plant nursery.
They have been serving customers with alpines and rockery plants since 2000.
The nursery is owned and run by Mark and Debi Padget, who have years of experience in cultivating alpine and rockery plants and giving expert advice for a thriving garden.
The nursery exhibits at all the major shows and has won prestigious RHS awards. Plants will be on sale at the club meeting.
Alternatively they can be purchased at the nursery in Skerne or via their online shop.
Tags: 2025, 2026, April, august, december, January, talks