Seeing

The Gardens Trusts are being nudged out of their comfort zone!  If we're going to attract more members and to be ready for the Capability Brown Tercentenary (CB300) we'll need to engage with social media.  That was the message Robin Saklatava (Marketing Manager of London Parks and Gardens Trust) http://www.londongardenstrust.org/ gave to the recent AGT South East Forum.

According to Robin, engaging with social media is 'like going to an enormous party, putting on your best clothes and trying to be entertaining - but without putting your foot in it!'.  By the time Robin had finished with us, even the biggest technophobes could see that, with a bit more training, the positive aspects of social media could work for us.  Keep an eye on the AGT website for future training opportunities.

I don't know about you, but increasingly I find myself turning my phone off rather than on, particularly if I'm somewhere green and beautiful.  It's difficult to really engage with anything (or anyone for that matter) if there's a chance of being distracted.  Being able to communicate on a global scale is an incredible and wonderful thing - but just not all of the time.  Perhaps by 2016 and CB300 we'll have the balance right!

By way of light relief I went along to The Plant School Christmas Lecture http://www.theplantschool.org/ given by James Alexander Sinclair http://www.blackpitts.co.uk/blog/.  Amidst many amusing stories about his garden designing antics, James made a serious and timely point.  He said that plants and gardens are all about looking.  If we don't take the time to stop and look we don't see what is fleetingly there. I went home and did just that.  Pink, plump shoots of peonies are just starting to nudge their way to the surface.  Heartening as we head towards the shortest day!  

Seeing and describing is very much the business of Vocal Eyes http://www.vocaleyes.co.uk/ - a charity I heard about at this year's Heritage Alliance 2012 Heritage Day http://www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/.  Vocal Eyes provide audio descriptions of the arts for the visually impaired.  They describe everything from plays, to architecture and gardens.  One of their latest projects invited prominent Londoners to describe some of the capital's hidden landmarks.  Listen to David Harewood's description of The Buxton Memorial Fountain or artist Bobby Baker's description of Paradise Park in Holloway http://www.vocaleyes.co.uk/feedpage.asp?section=213&sectionTitle=London+Beyond+Sight.

Arguably, 'seeing' isn't always in gardeners' best interests.  James pointed out that if we're choosing benches for our gardens, they had better be beautiful ones.  Why? Because we'll rarely sit on them for long.  The minute we do, we spot a weed and get up to deal with it!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

And Some Good News...

In a month dominated by reports of Chalara fraxinea affecting ash trees it is good to have some positive news to report.  I sat in on a recent Plant Heritage Council meeting http://www.nccpg.com/ where, as always, it was useful to hear the kinds of questions that are being raised by another garden-related organisation.  A particular treat on this occasion was a presentation by Sue Biggs (Director General of the Royal Horticultural Society) who brought us all up to date with happenings in the RHS.  The sale of the lease of Lawrence Hall and an upcoming fundraising campaign, have given the RHS the chance to plan a multitude of exciting projects.  A couple of them caught my eye.

Historians and researchers will be happy to hear about the proposed extension of the Lindley Library.  Additional physical space and greater access to the RHS collections of archived material will make research there even more of a pleasure.

I loved the sound of a sixty-acre perennial meadow, and a Mediterranean edible garden planned for RHS Hyde Hall in Essex.  Perhaps even more exciting is the prospect of a new urban RHS garden to be created somewhere in the Midlands.  The RHS are currently looking for a site with a minimum of three acres.  Any ideas?

Sue also mentioned 'A Career to be proud of' - a project launched by Alan Titchmarsh in April this year.  I couldn't help thinking about the 'Comment' Alan wrote in celebration of the project whilst I was sitting in a recent GreenLINK meeting. http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/RHS-Publications/Journals/The-Garden/Past-Issues/2012-issues/April/PDFS/Gardening-a-career-to-be-proud-of

While fellow GreenLINK members aired their frustrations about the disproportionate cuts to urban parks services, I reflected on the enormous gap between those who 'get' the benefits of interacting with nature on any level, and those who don't.  The general feeling amongst delegates was that decision makers in government are ignoring the views of professionals in the green sector.  I wonder whether, if some of them have never experienced the very real benefits of contact with nature, they simply don't understand?  What practical measures can we take to help them cross that divide?

With Alan's 'Comment' in mind, I have a link that I promise will brighten your day.  It's about a very imaginative project that's taking place in Bristol.  Calendula are being grown by community groups around the city in preparation for a national collection to be hosted by Bristol Zoo Gardens.  I'll be finding out more about the project for an article I'm writing in 2013.  But in the meantime, have a look at the link.  I challenge anyone to watch it and still question the importance of gardening for health and general wellbeing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q34mSMFkGyA&feature=youtu.be

Finally, if you've found the media driven frenzy about ash tree die back dispiriting, have a look at this link for what is perhaps, a more balanced view. http://blog.habitataid.co.uk/sackcloth-and-ashes/

Landscapes old and new

Sadly, the glorious sunshine that blessed the AGT Conference in Bath didn't follow us up the M1 for Yorkshire Gardens Trust's Research and Recording Study Day - but Yorkshire drizzle didn't diminish the experience of being in Yorkshire Sculpture Park.  The combination of historic landscape and contemporary art takes some beating. http://www.ysp.co.uk/

Karen Lynch (Yorkshire Gardens Trust), Dr Jan Woudstra (University of Sheffield), and Dr Helen Pheby (Curator, Y.S.P) talked us through the transformation of the landscape at Bretton Hall from the 18th century to its present role as a Sculpture Park.  It was good to learn that, rather than just being a backdrop for the sculpture, the landscape is a source of inspiration for the artists who work there. Even better to hear that ongoing research into the historic landscape plays an important part in that process.

Karen Lynch told us about the tenacious Diana Beaumont, whose world-famous 19th century plant collection at Bretton included sub-tropical plants from India. Dr Pheby immediately passed on this new piece of information to Hemali Bhuata, a visiting artist from India, who was at that very moment, creating new work in response to her experience at Bretton.   As Dr Pheby pointed out, the history as it continues to be revealed by researchers, benefits everyone - the staff, visitors and the artists.

It's a big leap from Yorkshire to New York but the High Line Symposium at the Garden Museum made it possible.  What a treat to hear about the rescue of the  early 20th century elevated freight railway line from the High Line's co-founders themselves - Joshua David and Robert Hammond.  How fascinating to hear how these two ordinary professional men, without a background in landscape or design, pushed themselves well beyond the extraordinary to raise the funds necessary for the restoration.  Their book 'High Line: The Inside Story of New York City's Park in the Sky' is well worth a read. http://www.thehighline.org/

An important part of the Symposium was a competition for ideas for a new London landscape.  The short-listed entries on display were a real feast of creativity.  The winning design, by Fletcher Priest Architects, suggests re-using the old Mail rail tunnels that run underground just north of Oxford Street.  Given my need for greenness and sunlight it probably wouldn't have been my first choice, but what an ingenious and seemingly workable idea - to create an underground fungal garden, lit by fibre optic ducts.  Have a look at the short-listed designs if you have a minute. http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/events/competitions/highline.php

A final thought  - what's happening to the wealth of practical experience built up by Des Smith and the Willerby Landscape team now that the Olympics are over?  In case you don't know, they were the team responsible for the planting and maintenance of the much admired 2012 Garden in the Olympic South Park?  It would be good to think that their skills will be passed on to the teams dealing with the park in the future.  It would be complete madness to allow all that expertise to just disappear.

Help our Parks!

Gold medals to everyone involved with the wonderful planting and landscaping in the Olympic Park.  What a spectacular setting for, not one but two, remarkable Games!

It was great to hear that Olympic volunteers found volunteering to be good fun and very worthwhile.  How can we in the County Gardens Trusts make the most of the current enthusiasm for volunteering?  What can be done to ensure that we offer opportunities that are fun and worthwhile?  Could the Capability Brown Tercentenary in 2016 be the perfect opportunity to engage with new audiences?  If so, how are we going to reach them?  If you will be at Avon Gardens Trust's Conference in Bath this weekend, introduce yourself to Lucy Futter (or me - Liz Ware) and have a chat about your ideas.
 www.avongardenstrust.org.uk

Another gold medal should go to Kate Lowe, editor of Horticulture Week for heading the campaign 'Make Parks a Priority'.  I represent the AGT at GreenLINK meetings where the massive cuts to urban park budgets have been a regular topic of discussion.  Parks are free for anyone who needs them, whether for exercise, fresh air, or just a bit of peace and quiet. The most vulnerable people in our urban areas need parks more than ever in difficult economic times.

Cuts to maintenance budgets are happening now.  Deterioration in our parks is just around the corner.  As any gardener knows, it is easier (and cheaper) to keep a green space (of any size, historic or otherwise) under control than it is to let it get out of hand. If our parks aren't considered important enough to keep under control today, where will the money come from tomorrow when they have deteriorated to such an extent that they need to be completely regenerated? When you are dealing with hard landscaping and living plant material, such short-term thinking is madness!

Details of the campaign have been sent to all County Gardens Trusts.  Please do your bit to help.

Capability Brown Tercentenery

You probably already know that it will be Capability Brown's Tercentenery in 2016. But you might not have heard about the ground-breaking seminar hosted by Ampthill Town Council to launch the  Tercentenery celebration project. http://www.greensandtrust.org/AmpthillPark.html

For the first time ever, owners and managers from some of the two hundred or so Brown landscapes got together with landscape consultants and representatives from the County Gardens Trusts for a brainstorming session.  It's no exaggeration to say that it was an historic occasion.

As Steffie Shields, our Vice Chairman (and Brown expert) reminded us, Brown was certainly a polymath and quite possibly a genius.  Much of the landscape that we enjoy today and consider to be 'natural' is in fact a result of his work.  The aim of the 2016 project is to get more people out, exploring, understanding and enjoying his legacy.

It was very encouraging to see just how much expertise and enthusiasm there was at the Ampthill seminar. But how are we going to make good use of it?  What happens next?

Ampthill Park

The easy option would be to preach to the converted  - but that won't be good enough.  We know we need to reach people who've never heard of Capability Brown. But as one delegate told us, even that could be too short-sighted a goal. We can't just think about new audiences for 2016, we also need to reach those who will care about Brown landscapes in 2025 and beyond.

So how can those of us involved in the project share our knowledge with each other as efficiently as possible? How can we reach people who've never heard of Brown?  It's their heritage too.
How can we help the owners of Brown landscapes to open their properties so that local people can learn about what is on their doorstep? How can we educate the next generation in the heritage skills that are needed to keep Brown landscapes alive? Let us know what you think.

This will be a major celebration in 2016. As our President, Gilly Drummond told the delegates, we have to find innovative ways to inspire, educate and entertain our new audiences. Gilly has suggested a 'Brown geocache'. If you have any suggestions of your own, let me know and I'll pass them on.

Get thinking!

AGT Trustees needed

When Sally Walker asked me to think about becoming an AGT Trustee, my first reaction was that I didn't have time.  Eighteen months on and I'm glad that I changed my mind.  Yes, I'm even busier now than I was before, but it's a good and stimulating kind of busy that enriches my life in unexpected ways.  In the past month alone, I've met people and been introduced to projects that would otherwise have passed me by.

Recently, I represented the AGT at a meeting of the Plant Heritage Council.  From the AGT perspective it was helpful to see how much the interests of the two organisations overlap and how many concerns for the future of horticulture we share. But it was unexpectedly useful for me on a personal level too.

AGT Study Day at Studley Royal

The following day I travelled down to Devon for a work-related visit to Marwood Hill Gardens. http://www.marwoodhillgarden.co.uk/index.php I discovered that the Head Gardener (as the caretaker of three national plant collections) is involved with Plant Heritage in Devon.  Without doubt my understanding of the garden and its collection was deepened a s a result of the morning I'd spent with Plant Heritage in central London.

Once a quarter, I represent the AGT at GreenLINK meetings.  There's usually a 'knowledge share' slot which always teaches me something new.  This quarter, Dr Linda Davies from Imperial College gave a presentation on OPAL (Open Air Laboratories); a 5 year project that aims to get people engaged with nature by involving them in ecological research. http://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/about-the-department/support-services/ucl-environmental-radiometric-facility/open-air-laboratories-opal The project has been running successfully for several years.  Over 600,000 people have been involved so far, 93% of whom have never been involved with environmental issues before.

We also heard from Bob Ivison of the National Contractors Forum, another organisation I knew nothing about.  He told us that contractors share many of our concerns for historic landscapes and the environment. They're keen to get involved: a source of help, support and advice that we might not have considered. http://www.iog.org/latest_news_and_media/articles_of_interest/Companies+in+the+Industry/profile_national_contractors_forum

Being a Trustee does take time but perhaps not as much as you might expect.  If you would like to make your already busy life even busier, but in a surprisingly productive way, why not contact our Chairman, Sally Walker at chairman@agt.org.uk ?

I haven't left enough space to write anything about the excellent Study Day at Studley Royal.  Something to put on the list for next month's blog!

As we approach the Jubilee weekend, have a look at 'A History of Royal Jubilees in Public Parks' by David Lambert. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/jubilee-ation/jubilee-parks.pdf

Future gardeners

March was 'find out about Gardens Trusts and education' month.  What better place to start than the South West Area Education Conference where two speakers shared their enthusiasm for outdoor education.

Sue Palmer is the head of Farley Nursery in Hampshire.http://www.farleynurseryschool.com/  She provides daycare for children from six months to school-age.  Carla Thomas-Buffin runs an outdoor education programme at Sir Harold Hilliers' Garden for Hampshire's schools.http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hilliergardens/hilliers-keystages.htm  Both women are equally passionate about the need for children to be outside.

Sue asked us to recall our earliest happy childhood memory. It wasn't surprising to discover that Gardens Trust members happy memories involved being outside.  As Sue told us, we are at our happiest outside because that is where we are programmed to be. Sadly, many people in Britain today are no longer aware of this.

Sue's answer to the problem is to start young.  At her nursery even the babies spend as much time outside as possible.  They sleep in big Silver Cross prams while the older children play around them. Farley Nursery's children are so healthy and allergy-free that health-visitors in Salisbury recommend it to local families.

Without the restrictions of the curriculum, the amount of time Sue's children can spend outside is unlimited.  It becomes more difficult when they start school.  That is why education programmes like the one run by Sir Harold Hilliers' Garden are so valuable.

Carla is confident that, as a result of outdoor education schemes, the worrying gap in children's life experience is now being filled.  Her concern is for the generation in the middle, some of whom are young teachers.

Cairn of decorated pebbles

Emma Scholfield, the AGT's Education and Schools Co-ordinator, is often contacted by teachers who would like to provide their children with an experience of nature but don't know where to start.  She recently helped the Headmaster of a small village school in Kirkby on Bain and took me along to see the progress he's making.

Bug-hotel

All it took was a rough plan from Emma; financial help from the diocese and Lincolnshire Gardens Trust;  'hands-on' help from parents and then the garden was on its way.  By the time I visited, a glass-fronted composter and a bug-hotel were already in operation and newly built raised beds were ready for planting.  I loved the colourful cairn of decorated pebbles in the garden's centre; a pebble placed by each member of the school and to be added to by every newcomer for the rest of the school's life.

Next on the list was Gosberton House School; a school that caters for children who would struggle in mainstream education.  The large grounds are divided into smaller areas, each with their own character and purpose, but sufficiently enclosed that the children who use them feel safe.  It was a privilege to be shown around by two pupils who were so obviously benefiting from the outdoor learning activities provided by the school's dedicated staff. But it was during my visit to to Emma's husband's school (where she works part-time) that I experienced the effect that outdoor learning can have on an entire school.

I know what children sound like when they're sent outside after being inside for too long. It's a bit like shaking up a bottle of lemonade and then taking the lid off. The atmosphere at Boston West Primary was quite different. By the end of my afternoon there, the whole school was outside.  Yes, the children were busy and active but there was a wonderful sense of calm and happy contentment.  I was amazed and delighted to see children making things with piles of sticks.  No one was telling them to be careful.  There was no need.  These were children comfortable with being outside because it's what they do regularly.  It was a joy to see.

Emma has put an enormous amount of energy into developing children's activities at her school and has masses of ideas to share.  Do get in touch with her.

Incidentally, when I last spoke to Emma, a school and an old-people's home had contacted her to ask for help.  Both organisations had found her details in the AGT Yearbook.  It works.  Make sure you distribute copies far and wide.

Exciting times

What an impressive picture the latest AGT Yearbook paints. Every article in it is a great read but there is one that calls for instant action. Steffie Shields describes the tree planting extravaganza in Queen Elizabeth Park, Grantham, in honour of the Diamond Jubilee. Is there a park in your county suitable for a similar Diamond Grove? What a perfect celebration of a remarkable reign it would be if sixty silver birches and an Elizabeth oak could be planted in parks all over the country. http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/community/community-news/diamond_grove_for_the_diamond_jubilee_1_3292232

A couple of years ago I heard Richard Reynolds speaking about guerrilla gardening.I loved the energy and enthusiasm his edgy urban planting projects were encouraging in city dwellers in their 20s and 30s. It's good to be reminded of the fact that plants have something to offer everyone, regardless of age. As Tim Richardson's article 'Sense and Sustainability' confirms, an interest in growing things doesn't have to be restricted to the over 40s. As you may know, Tim is masterminding the new and exciting Chelsea Fringe Festival and it is this very generation that his venture is attracting. http://www.chelseafringe.com/

Tim goes on to discuss the courageous decision to use huge swathes of herbaceous planting in the Olympic Park.  No doubt many of us agree with his hope that our local authorities will be inspired to re-think their approach. I'm pinning my hopes on good TV coverage.  I'd like to see short and very frequent clips of those exciting borders, teeming with insect life. It's a perfect opportunity to reach those who've lost their connection to the natural world.  Small and well-timed glimpses of the Olympic haven could be life-changing.  Rather like the most insidious advertising campaign, the effect will be subliminal and the results no doubt incalculable.  But I'm convinced that it could make a difference. http://www.nigeldunnett.info/Londonolympicpark/styled-2/2012gardens.html

Avon Gardens Trust tell me that tickets for the Annual Conference are selling very well. Based in Bath (7-9 September), the Conference includes visits to Badminton, Sydney Gardens, Dyrham Park, and Prior Park.  If you'd like to go don't leave it too late to book.

If you're in need of a dose of spring colour, head to the Royal Academy and the David Hockney landscapes.  Despite the crowds, they're sufficiently uplifting to keep you going until the clocks change and we start to experience the real thing.  http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/hockney/

2012

Early February and I'm snowed in....an unexpected opportunity to bring you up-to-date with some of the things that lie ahead in 2012.

What a contrast to the weather we had at the end of 2011.  Sally Walker and I went along to the Heritage Alliance AGM in December.  As it was held in a converted warehouse in Wapping we expected to freeze - but it was positively balmy.  Heritage Alliance brings together representatives from over ninety different non-government organisations - everything from the Railway Heritage Trust to the National Piers Society.  As a result, the warehouse was full of engaging personalities, all equally passionate about the heritage interests of their particular organisation.

If you're not aware of Heritage Open Days it's worth making a note in your diary now.  For three days every year (6-9 September in 2012) anyone and everyone can explore an extraordinary array of historic properties free of charge.  Many of them are usually closed to the public.  What an inventive way to generate enthusiasm for our heritage! Details of this year's venues will be posted on the website in the summer. http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/ . I struggle to tear myself away from the garden at that time of year, but having read the 'highlights' from 2011 ( http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/heritage-open-days-2011-highlights ) I think I'll forget the deadheading for a couple of days.

2012 could be a particularly exciting year for GreenLINK, the green-sector's relatively recently formed version of Heritage Alliance.  It's launching a brave new venture - one that I suspect could be of great benefit to us, both at a national and at a county level.

Realising that many green-related charities are struggling to be heard in this economic climate, GreenLINK are proposing 'a shared sector approach' which they hope will raise support from 'previously untapped sources'.  A new website will give organisations like ours the opportunity to tell the world about what we do and the kind of help we need.  Businesses and individuals who are blissfully unaware of our existence will have the chance to learn about our projects.

Entitled 'Green-Giving', the initiative will work at a local, a city and at a national level.  It should attract a more diverse audience than small organisations like our own are usually capable of reaching.  If it works well, it should match up the many people who would like to make a contribution (whether of time or money) with the organisations that need help.  It could take a while for the venture to get going, but it's difficult to see a down-side for organisations like ours. I'll keep you up-to-date with its progress.

Have you noticed the 'Garden for the Games' link on the Home Page of the AGT website? If your Trust decides to get involved, do let me know.  A friend of mine is one of the thousands of volunteers recruited to help with the Games.  He's finding that being involved with the energy, enthusiasm and sheer scale of the Olympic machine is hugely uplifting.

If you haven't had a look at Verena's Historic Landscape Project Forum yet then this cold snap could be the perfect time.  There are several discussions going on at the moment.  A Gardens Trust member from Sussex has a question about websites. Another member from Cheshire would like to hear from anyone who is using geographic information research systems (GIS) for garden history research. Verena has asked a useful question about the way we market ourselves - something we may need to think about if the GreenLINK 'Green-giving' project is successful.