Berkshire
Gardens Trust
Reg.Charity No.1201501
AGM & Autumn Lecture 2022 at Purley Barn
Thursday, 29th September 13.45pm
GIGGLES IN THE GARDEN: HOW CHILDREN HAVE PLAYED THROUGH THE HISTORY OF OUR PARKS AND GARDENS
by Linden Groves
“The world really belonged to the children” (Gertrude Jekyll)
“I think it is because I have been more or less a gardener all my life that I still feel like a child in many ways” Gertrude Jekyll, Children and Gardens, 1908
Following the formal Annual General Meeting (AGM), our Autumn Lecture this year will be given by landscape historian, Linden Groves. We are very pleased to welcome Linden as our speaker. Linden is Head of Operations and Strategy at the Gardens Trust, the national body representing the Berkshire Gardens Trust and a freelance researcher and author. She has carried out substantial studies into how children played in historic landscapes for organisations such as English Heritage, the National Trust and the Royal Parks. She uses this knowledge to inform provision for children today, from helping navigate the desire for play areas at historic properties, to devising and running traditional garden games in historic gardens.
Who amongst us does not hold parks and gardens at the heart of their childhood memories?
And so it has been for garden lovers, for many hundreds of years.
Photo courtesy of the Wicksteed Charitable Trust
This light-hearted lecture will take us by the hand for a whirl through the history of play in gardens and parks. Together, we will wander through the fascinating history of how 18th century estates, Victorian parks, and post-war parks have been designed and adapted to capture children’s imaginations. She will end by taking a look at some of the ways that children experience these landscapes today.
Our Autumn Lecture is a tribute to Charles Elly who was our Chair for six years. He died suddenly last March and is greatly missed by everyone who knew him. He loved gardens and he loved sharing them with our members; and he also loved working with and helping children. The subject of our lecture has been specially chosen to help recognise his interests and his many contributions to the Berkshire Gardens Trust. Click here to read our tribute to Charles.
Time: Please arrive from 1:30 to 1:45. The afternoon will start with the AGM, promptly at 2pm. The lecture will then follow immediately after the AGM at approximately 2:30.
Venue: Purley Barn, off Beech Road, Purley-on-Thames, Berkshire RG8 8DR
Refreshments: Afternoon tea with drinks will be served following the lecture around 3:30. If you have any dietary restrictions, please email BerksGTmembership@gmail.com immediately after booking.
Cost: Tickets for the lecture are Members £12; Non-Members £15.
Queries: Please contact Kim by email at BerksGTmembership@gmail.com.
Please note: We hope that there will be no COVID restrictions by the time of this visit, but please be understanding if there are last minute alterations in the arrangements if the situation changes. We may take some photographs during the buffet and lecture. If you would prefer not to be included in these photos, please email BerksGTmembership@gmail.com or tell us when you arrive at the venue.
