events programme 2018
The Trust had an incredibly full calendar of events in 2018 including events commemorating the bicentenary of Humphry Repton’s death, fundraisers for the Gertrude Jekyll digitisation project, our Winter lecture series and numerous visits to historic gardens in Surrey and the surrounding counties. Highlights of the events can be found below:
Winter Lectures 2018
KATIE CAMPBELL: PERSIAN GARDENS - ANCIENT TO MODERN
JANUARY 2018
Since ancient times the Persian Garden has been associated with paradise. Katie Campbell’s beautifully illustrated lecture identified the common features of the original Persian gardens. Enclosed against the elements, watered by underground canals, planted with exotic flora from the far reaches of the continent, these spaces inspired awe and envy and also provided quiet areas of contemplation. She noted that their emphasis on colour, scent, light, shade, birdsong and space remained key features of garden designs from Persian times into Renaissance Europe and even contemporary garden designs elsewhere.
KATE FELUS: THE SECRET LIFE OF THE GEORGIAN GARDEN
FEBRUARY 2018
Based on her book, The Secret Life of the Georgian Garden, Kate Felus’ lecture revealed the previously untold story of how landscapes were used in the 18th century. The smooth turf of the parkland provided for thrilling carriage driving in the Georgian equivalent of the Ferrari, the lake gave opportunities for fishing and boating (including mock sea battles with real canon) and eye-catchers provided places for eating and drinking, afternoon naps and illicit liaisons.
KAREN BRIDGMAN: FLOWERS IN THE 18TH CENTURY PLEASURE GROUND
MARCH 2018
Karen Bridgman gave an interesting presentation on her involvement in creating the American Roots exhibition at Painshill Park and discussed how plants from North America influenced British gardens in the 18th century. In 2004, Karen embarked upon recreating a Hartwell flowerbed using original sketches and plans as well as through extensive research of nursery guides available in the 1800s. Her talk focused on the selection of perennials, annuals and bulbs that were used in the project.
Events Celebrating Bicentenary of Humphry Repton’s Death
Breakfast and Bluebells at Hatchlands Park
In 1800 George Holme Sumner hired Humphry Repton to advise on improvements to the estate inherited from his father in 1791. Repton wanted to transform 'a large red house by the side of a high road, to a Gentleman-like residence in the midst of a Park'. In this private guided tour, we discovered Repton's vision of Hatchlands Park and the NT’s plans to conserve the park for the future. We had the opportunity to view a facsimile of the original Repton Red Book and admire the ancient trees that date from the Repton era. SGT teamed up with NT to publish a Repton Trail for Hatchlands, create display boards for visitors commenting on various Repton views and print facsimile copies of the original Red Book, all with the goal of informing visitors to Hatchlands of the extraordinary vision that Humphry Repton had for this historic landscape.
repton study day at Hartsfield manor and betchworth house
Members and guests were able to immerse themselves in the life and work of Humphry Repton and enjoy a rare visit to privately owned Betchworth House and its Repton designed landscape. We enjoyed informative presentations from Cherrill Sands about Repton’s life and work, Martin Higgins about Betchworth and the surrounding properties during the time of Repton and Sarah Dickinson and Sheri Sticpewich on Repton's extensive proposals for Betchworth House and gardens. We had a private tour of Betchworth House and grounds and were able to view the original Repton Red Book for Betchworth House as well as peruse a wonderful selection of historic documents, photographs and artwork relating to Betchworth. With their permission, we were able to publish copies of the original Repton Red Book and these were available for sale on the day.
The garden Museum, Lambeth
Repton Revealed: The art of landscape gardening
November 2018
Our final event paying tribute to Humphry Repton and his considerable skills was a visit to the Garden Museum to explore the exhibition celebrating his rare and beautiful Red Books. Repton’s Red Books, so named due to the distinctive red leather bindings he favoured, outlined his proposals for garden improvements for his clients. The exhibition brought together 24 Red Books and numerous watercolour paintings, many of which had never been publicly displayed before.
Garden Visits 2018
Reel haLL, shamley Green
June 2018
Huge thanks to the owners of Reel Hall for allowing us access to this tranquil and elegant Arts & Crafts garden nestled in the lush, wooded landscape of the Surrey Hills. The owner talked about the history of the house, the main part of which dates to the 16th century. The house was a farm for centuries with the garden designed in the early 1930s by the Rooper family. We explored the four acres of garden which benefits from a stream flowing through the very heart of the garden. The herbaceous borders and the enclosed garden dominated by large topiary yew shapes were certainly the highlight. The gentle climb along a rising path provided glorious views across the valley and down over the stream giving a real sense of the layout of the garden.
SHAMLEY WOOD ESTATE
June 2018
In contrast with Reel Hall, much of the gardens at Shamley Wood Estate had been recently redesigned, capitalising on the beautiful setting with views across Newlands Corner and the South Downs and the presence of numerous mature trees. We entered through a meadow garden edged with neat squares of wildflowers between trees to a warm welcome from Claire in her fire-pit garden. This whole area is partly enclosed by gnarled olive trees and, within view, there is a dry garden filled with swaying grasses and sculptural evergreens, transporting the visitor to the Mediterranean. A rockery and stream tumbles down the garden surrounded by soft billowing planting, leading to a grassed terrace with roses and lavenders and the wilder woodland beyond.
busbridge lakes, Godalming
July 2018
The beautiful summer weather continued for our visit to Busbridge Lakes where the group was shown around the garden and surrounding lakes by Mrs Fleur Douetil, owner of Busbridge Lakes or the head gardener. Busbridge Lakes is a Grade II* registered Park noted for its mid-18th century follies including the shell grotto dating from 1810, a Doric temple, a hermit’s cave and a ‘ghost walk’. The lakes with resplendent water fowl were stunning and we all appreciated the cool climate created by the surrounding border of such well established, mature specimen trees that provided a welcome respite from the heat and allowed us to admire the various rustic bridges and stone structures joining the lakes.
The peace garden at the muslim burial ground, woking
september 2018
Elizabeth Cuttle, a trustee of the Horsell Common Preservation Society, talked about the history of the Muslim Burial Ground and provided the context to the newly created Muslim Peace Garden, which was opened to the public in 2015. The newly restored brick walled garden surrounded by high dark self-seeded coniferous woodland gave a wonderful sense of enclosure to the space. Once inside you are reminded of the eastern style paradise garden with water features, rill, trees, Indian sandstone paths and a monolithic monument to the former soldiers that are buried here. The Muslim Burial Ground was originally opened in 1917 and there were 19 WWI burials plus 8 from WWII. The site was severely vandalised in the 1960s and the bodies were exhumed and reburied in war graves in Brookwood Cemetery. In 2010, Woking Borough Council decided to restore the site and secured help from the Horsell Common Preservation Society, the Muslim Community and Historic England.
Brookwood cemetery, woking
september 2018
Margaret Hobbs of the Brookwood Cemetery Society welcomed us on a warm sunny afternoon to the largest cemetery in the UK, founded in 1854. Brookwood Cemetery is a Grade I listed site on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens located a few miles from Woking. The tour started at the lake in the Glades of Remembrance where much clearance and restoration planting has been undertaken. This area, opened in 1950, is retained for cremated remains. The specimen trees are plentiful and varied with giant sequoia which were planted alongside the railway which brought the dead from London to be buried there.
deepdene trail, dorking
October 2018
Alex Bagnall, Hope Springs Eternal Project Manager, Mole Valley District Council, welcomed us for our tour at Deepdene Trail. During our guided tour of the landscape, Alex pointed out key areas of restoration including the reinstatement of the parterre and its Coady the Lion sculpture, the Grotto, the Embattled Tower and discussed the occupation of the property by Southern Trains and its use as a communications hub during the war. The highlight was certainly the Hope Mausoleum with its splendid iron doors, almost hidden exposure enclosed as it is within the hillside and beautifully simple, classic interior.
