2027 Speakers and Outings

Wednesday 6th January 2027

Monthly Meeting. 2pm, The Memorial Hall, Great Addington,

Pumpkins by Russell Atwood

With over 10 years of experience Russell is a popular speaker to clubs in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire and last spoke to the Hort. Soc in 2025 about his "no dig" allotment. He has had a large allotment for over 25 years where he specialities in no-dig gardening, pumpkins and squashes and soil improvement. Russell has a degree is in Crop Science and took part on the panel of experts on BBC Radio 4's Money Box Live programme 4th May 2022

Wednesday  3rd February 2027

Monthly Meeting. 2pm, The Memorial Hall, Great Addington,

Gardening for Songbirds by Nicola Oakey

Nicola's debut at RHS Chelsea in 2025  was awarded a silver gilt medal and spotlighted songbirds in partnership with Songbird Survival.

A 50% reduction in population, songbird numbers are still falling. Oakey believes “we all should do something to try and help them in our own gardens.” She suggests other forms of wildlife are often spoken about, but songbirds get lost in these conversations.

Wednesday  3rd March 2027

Monthly Meeting. 2pm, The Memorial Hall, Great Addington,

Echiums by Linda Heywood

Linda holds the National Collection of Echium which can be seen at Renishaw Hall &Gradens in Derbyshire.

Wednesday  7th April 2027

Monthly Meeting. 2pm, The Memorial Hall, Great Addington,

Paradise Lost & Restored by Timothy Walker (400 yrs of Oxford Botanic Gardens)

Timothy read Botany at University College Oxford and after graduation worked for two years as a trainee at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden. Since 1986 he has been giving lectures to gardening clubs, horticultural societies, Art Societies, WIs, and many other types of group. From August 2014 he has been a lecturer in Plant Sciences at Somerville College, Oxford, and now holds similar positions at Pembroke College and Hertford College. 

Wednesday  5th May 2027

Monthly Meeting. 2pm, The Memorial Hall, Great Addington,

Paradise Gardens by Christine Rowe

Christine spoke to us last year about the great plant hunters of the 14/15th Centuries and we are delighted that she is able to come again this year.

June / July / August Garden visits to be confirmed.

Wednesday 1st September 2027

Monthly Meeting at Harrowden Hall - time to be confirmed

Garden viewing and History of Harrowden Hall by Nick Palmer

Nick is a member of the Hort. Soc. He will arrange a short viewing of the 18th century garden with the head gardener and then speak about the history of the hall.

Wednesday  6th October 2027

Monthly Meeting. 2pm, The Memorial Hall, Great Addington,

Gardens of the Italian Lakes by Alan Mason

Alan Mason is one of Europe's top garden designers. A founder member of the Professional Gardeners' Guild, he became Britain's youngest head gardener when he took charge of the French-style gardens at Bramham Park in Yorkshire. He then, as Gardens Manager, took nearby Harewood House into the top 10 most visited gardens in the country. He presented on a long running series on C4, 'Gardens without Borders' comparing the gardens of our European neighbours in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Holland.

Wednesday  3rd  November 2027

Anniversary Lunch - venue to be confirmed

Wednesday  1st December 2027

Monthly Meeting. 2pm, The Memorial Hall, Great Addington,

Holly Wreath Demo by Simon White followed by seasonal refreshments.