events programme 2020
2020 was a challenging year for all of us with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic felt around the world. Surrey Gardens Trust, like most organisations, had to cancel or reschedule the vast majority of their events. We managed to host our Winter lectures, albeit the last one was rescheduled from March to October and delivered online via Zoom. In addition, we did venture out in September to the lovely gardens of Sussex Prairie Gardens and Borde Hill Gardens in West Sussex - both were a well-needed tonic. Details follow below.
Winter lectures 2020
CHERRY INGRAM: THE ENGLISHMAN WHO SAVED JAPAN’S BLOSSOM
by Naoko abe
25 JANUARY 2020
Naoko Abe, author of ‘Cherry’ Ingram told us about the irresistible story of the Japanese cherry blossoms, threatened by political ideology and saved by an unknown Englishman. Collingwood Ingram, known as ‘Cherry’ for his defining obsession, was born in 1880 and lived to be 100 years old, witnessing a fraught century of conflict and change. Over decades, Cherry Ingram became one of the world’s leading cherry experts. Naoko Abe also spoke about how these delicate blossoms came to be admired around the world. Naoko Abe is a Japanese journalist and non-fiction author, who has lived in London since 2001.
THE EDWARDIAN GARDENS OF HAROLD PETO
by dr katie campbell
15 FEBRUARY 2020
Harold Peto left his architectural practice and turned to garden design, becoming one of the greatest designers of the Edwardian era. Author and garden historian Dr. Katie Campbell spoke about how Harold Peto’s love of the Italian Renaissance influenced his garden designs in Britain and France. Peto was responsible for at least fifteen gardens in Britain with his greatest creation being the gardens at Ifold Manor, the Georgian-fronted medieval house he purchased in 1899 in the Frome Valley. Here he honed his distinctive style of a formal, classical layout softened by exuberant planting. Katie Campbell lectures widely, writes for numerous publications and leads garden and architectural tours.
KIFTSGATE: THREE GENERATIONS OF WOMEN GARDENERS
by vanessa berridge
17 October 2020
Author Vanessa Berridge gave a hugely enjoyable and illustrated talk on the development of the legendary Gloucestershire garden of Kiftsgate. Her book, Kiftsgate Court Gardens: Three Generations of Women Gardeners, was published in 2019 to celebrate the centenary of this garden and the three remarkable women who created it. She spoke about how Kiftsgate is a fine balance between continuity and gentle evolution and is known for its famous ‘Kiftsgate’ rose, Italianate terracing, perennials, rose and rare shrubs - all thriving side-by-side. Vanessa created and launched The English Garden magazine and is now a freelance garden writer and historian.