pro palma hortus, ut vadum nunquam recedo*


* "For the glory of the garden, may it never pass away" - the final line of Kipiling's famous poem "The Glory of the Garden"



Hello, and welcome to my website. I am a freelance garden historian, and can offer your group or society a variety of talks connected with this, the most fascinating of subjects. I can also offer my services as a tour guide of many historic gardens across the UK and Europe.




 

    Me, with view of my historic wheelie bins!

 

 

 

I have been giving lectures since 2000, and am currently taking bookings for 2008 and beyond. 

 

My clients include:

  • The Eden Project
  • National Portrait Gallery
  • Imperial War Musem
  • Painshill Landscape Garden Trust
  • Blenheim Palace
  • Waddesdon Manor
  • Dulwich Picture Gallery
  • The National Trust (at individual properties and for branches of the Members' Association)
  • Northampton Museum
  • Chelsea Physic Garden
  • the Universities of Essex, Reading and Kent
  • the University of the Third Age
  • local gardening, history and natural history societies and the Women’s Institute.

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All my lectures (apart from one) are slide illustrated and can be adapted to suit your needs as regards timing  - from 45 minutes to 1½ hours or longer.  Many can be arranged to incorporate a refreshment break if necessary.  A full list of the lectures I can currently offer is on page 2.  I can provide my own slide projector and screen, although if your organisation could lend me both for the booking, that would be appreciated as neither are particularly portable!

 

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I also offer two longer lectures, designed to give a more in depth look at the history of gardening in a “study day” format, ideal for both large and small groups wishing to explore the subject further.  The day is broken down into four easily digestible units of 1 – 1½ hours, and incorporates a 20 – 30 minute morning break, an hour for lunch, and a similar break in the afternoon.  This format also allows ample time for group discussion   Study days are ideal for universities, colleges, museums and gardens with a public lecture programme, or for private groups wanting something “a little different” for their members, perhaps as a fundraising event or special interest day.

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A full diary of talks that I am scheduled to give can be found on the "Diary" page.

 

 

Nothing to do with garden history, my incredibly opinionated theatre reviews can be found here:
http://www.russells-theatre-reviews.blogspot.com.
Make yourself a cup of tea, read and enjoy!