Spring, Working Together and an extraordinary swim

Can Business Meetings ever be uplifting? Perhaps it had something to do with the arrival of Spring, but the Association of Gardens Trusts' first Business Meeting of this year certainly was.  It's always a good time for the County Gardens Trust (CGT) representatives and our Working Together partners to share news of what is happening, but this year it seemed to be particularly positive and forward looking.

(copyright - Liz Ware)

Five of the Trusts are celebrating significant anniversaries.  Welsh Historic Gardens Trust http://www.whgt.org.uk and the Isle of Wight Gardens Trust http://www.iowgardenstrust.org.uk are 25 years old this year.  Hampshire Gardens Trust http://www.hgt.org.uk has been working with its county's parks, landscapes and designed spaces for 30 years, while Cheshire Gardens Trust http://www.cheshire-gardens-trust.org.uk is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

It's not so long ago that we were discussing the need to work more closely with The Garden History Society (GHS), Parks & Gardens UK and the Garden Museum. While discussions continue about developing a closer relationship between the AGT and the GHS, the Garden Museum and Parks & Gardens UK are collaborating on an exhibition.  Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the exhibition will focus on the impact of WW1 on gardens and gardening.  It opens in the Garden Museum in September, but there's still time for CGTs to contribute to Parks & Gardens UK's webpage dedicated to the project.  For more information see http://www.parksandgardens.org/about-us/working-in-partnership/288-gardening-in-wartime .

Many CGTs are already tweeting about their activities. An excellent pre-Business Meeting workshop organised by our Historic Landscape Project Officers will have given even more Trusts the confidence to sign up to social media.  Of course, our Working Together partners are making good use of it too. Have a look at Parks & Gardens UK's new blog, managed by Trustee, David Marsh. http://parksandgardensuk.wordpress.com

The Garden Museum's calendar is as busy as ever.  If you haven't booked a place at this year's Garden Literary Festival (21st-22nd June), there's still time to do so.  For many of us, last year's Festival (the first of its kind) was a particular highlight in an already spectacular summer. http://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/page/a-friend-a-book-and-a-garden-a-festival-of-garden-literature-21-and-22-june-at-petworth-house

As the flood waters subside and some of us venture back along the banks of the Thames, Christopher Woodward, Director of the Garden Museum is planning to spend an inordinate amount of time in, rather than alongside, the river.  News of his previous fund raising swimming adventures has always made good reading. His next swim could be the most challenging yet.  Join us in supporting him and an exciting new chapter in the life of the Garden Museum. http://www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/page/tradescants-treasures-thames-swim-2014

Countdown to Capability Brown's 300th Birthday Celebrations begins

Congratulations to all those who worked on the Capability Brown 300 Festival (CB300) funding application.  Their efforts have paid off - the 2016 Festival will receive £139,200 development funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to help with the planning of celebrations all over the country.

You might not have realised that the Landscape Institute led the bid for funding.  It worked tirelessly on behalf of an extraordinary partnership of organisations - all sharing our interest in designed historic landscapes and of course, in Capability Brown.  Have a look at http://www.capabilitybrown.org  to see  who is involved in this once in a lifetime venture.  Even better, register to keep in touch with what's happening http://www.capabilitybrown.org/contact

(Cedar reflection, Compton Verney
copyright Steffie Shields)

What's next? Well, as our very active President, Gilly Drummond, Chair of the Capability Brown 300 Steering Group has pointed out, work has already started.  County Gardens Trust (CGT) volunteers around the country are already researching and collecting material about Brown landscapes from archives and libraries. Once collated, it will be easily accessible on the Parks & Gardens UK website. http://www.parksandgardens.org Anyone visiting Brown landscapes in 2016 will have the very best chance to understand the work of one of history's most influential landscape architects.

The programme of activities being developed will have something for everyone.  Yes, there'll be plenty to intrigue those who are already aware of Brown's work but there will be just as much to engage a new and diverse audience. With the help of  Brown site owners and managers, and with the support of volunteers, it's hoped that at least 150 of Capability Brown's parks and gardens will be open to the public in 2016. What a great opportunity to introduce people of all ages to the pleasure and increased well-being we can all share, outside, reading landscapes and exploring our  heritage.

A training day for CGT and NADFAS volunteers is being planned for later in the year. Keep an eye on the AGT website for further details.

Could Brown's capabilities have helped us with the current flood crisis? Floodwater in my part of the world allowing, I'll be heading to Compton Verney this week to see its 10th anniversary celebratory exhibition - the work of Henry Moore and Auguste Rodin, much of which will be displayed in the Capability Brown designed parkland. The exhibition will be open until 31 August, 2014. If you want to begin to understand Brown's work, this could be a wonderful place to start. http://www.comptonverney.org.uk/modules/events/event.aspx?e=250&title=moore_rodin