MEMBERSHIP OPEN TO ALL
Although Kensington Gardeners' Club meets in Kensington and trips start and end there, membership is open to ALL. We are affiliated to The London Gardens Society. Many of our members, past and present, have gone on to win prizes in the LGS London wide competition.
ONLINE LECTURE - Wednesday December 9th, 2:30 pm via Zoom. CITY GARDENS TOUR with Katie Wignall.
There are over 300 green spaces within the small area of the City of London. Granted, some of these are tiny, but on this virtual tour we'll be walking around hidden corners to discover the unexpected bursts of colour and space in the oldest part of London. Each oasis, however small in size, is packed with history and we'll be uncovering their secrets! Katie is a Blue Badge Tourist Guide and founder of Look Up London. She specialises in sharing London's hidden gems. With a mix of video, google street view and images her virtual tour gives you immersive walks from the comfort of home. To participate please email Susan at susan.vannoorden@ntlworld.com
ONLINE LECTURE - Tuesday October 13th, 2:30 pm via Zoom. Please join us for an online lecture by Timothy Walker, botanist and gardener. Timothy will present his ideas on 'How to be a 21st Century Gardener.' To participate please email Susan at susan.vannoorden@ntlworld.com
ONLINE LECTURE - Tuesday August 11th, 2:30 pm via Zoom. Please join us to hear Sandra Pullen, specialist in gardens, architecture and decorative arts of the 18th century. Horace Walpole was a keen amateur gardener whose own garden very much reflected the emerging trends of naturalism, and later romanticism in English 18th century garden design. During the 50 years Walpole owned Strawberry Hill he commissioned several well-known artists to record his house and garden. This talk will use these 18th century watercolours to chart the history and development of the gardens and illustrate how in 2010 they helped inform the restoration. To participate please email Susan at susan.vannoorden@ntlworld.com.
MEMBER’S GARDEN OPENING – National Garden Scheme -PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS GARDEN IS NOW OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. To arrange a visit call Harvey on 0208 969 8292 for more details.
57 St Quintin Avenue, W10 6NZ
ONLINE LECTURE - During lockdown we have held our first online lecture via Zoom with Timothy Walker, lecturer, botanist and gardener. Notes on the lecture and links to some of the gardens and plants he highlighted can be found HERE.
We were delighted with members’ responses to our first Zoom lecture by Timothy Walker on American Gardens. In case you missed the talk or would like to re-visit some of the gardens he mentioned, Fran has listed them with links on the website so you can browse through them, albeit without Timothy’s expertise and wit.
STEPHEN ANDERTON LECTURE - Stephen Anderton, garden writer for The Times spoke via Zoom about his own garden in the Black Mountains in Wales on July 14th. Photos of Stephen's garden and his list of plants mentioned during this very informative and entertaining lecture can be found HERE.
Please see our Members' Gardens Photos for inspiration during the current Covid-19 lockdown.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
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VISITS to interesting gardens
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TALKS by gardening experts
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GARDEN COMPETITION with prizes and trophies
CLUB MEETINGS & TALKS
Club meetings and talks take place in the basement lecture theatre at Kensington Central Library, Phillimore Walk, London W8 7RX.
Doors open at 2.00pm and talks commence at 2.30pm. Club meetings are free to members. Members are welcome to bring guests at a cost of £5 per guest.
Tea and biscuits follow the meetings at modest cost. This is a good opportunity to meet fellow members and socialise.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS 2020
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL IN PERSON EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE - Check back on the website for updated information.
Saturday March 21, 2020
CLUB MEETING - PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS.
We hope to reschedule this for next year.
Sue and Bleddyn Wynn-Jones of Crûg Farm Plants will discuss their search for exotic plants on their travels to Vietnam.
Saturday April 25, 2020, 10:00
GARDEN VISIT -PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS VISIT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS.
Exbury Garden, Hampshire – 200-acre site world famous for the Rothschild collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias.
Sunday May 17 2020, 2:00 - 6:00
MEMBER’S GARDEN OPENING – National Garden Scheme - PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS GARDEN OPENING HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS.
Arundel & Ladbroke Gardens, W11 2LW
Thursday May 21, 2020, 11:30
LONDON VISIT - PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS VISIT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS.
Pitzhanger Manor Ealing – meet at the gardens and grounds of Walpole Park, the delightful country home of Sir John Soane. Free entrance to the gardens, entrance fee for the house and gallery.
Saturday May 30, 2020, 10:30
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WALK HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS.
Kew Gardens Tree Walk in the Rhododendron Dell with Pat Smallcombe. Numbers limited to 20 so please book early. Cost £5.
Thursday June 25, 2020, 10:00
GARDEN VISIT - PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS VISIT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS.
Parham House and Gardens in West Sussex – a superb Elizabethan family house with award-winning gardens.
Saturday June 27, 2020
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE COMPETITION HAS BEEN POSTPONED. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES.
COMPETITION JUDGING by Robert Player – Telephone 07949 441 662 for more information.
Sunday July 5 and Sunday July 19, 2020, 2:00-6:00
MEMBER’S GARDEN OPENING – National Garden Scheme -PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS GARDEN IS NOW OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. To arrange a visit call Harvey on 0208 969 8292 for more details.
57 St Quintin Avenue, W10 6NZ
Tuesday July 21 – Thursday July 23, 2020
GARDEN EXCURSION - Derbyshire - PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TRIP HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS.
Three days of garden visits, including Hardwick Hall. We will be staying in Buxton and exploring gardens in the area.
Saturday September 19, 2020
CLUB MEETING – PRIZE GIVING - PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS.
Robert Player and The Mayor will present prizes to this year’s winners, accompanied by slides. Q&A with afternoon tea to follow.
Friday September 25, 2020, 2:00
LONDON VISIT - Fenton House Hampstead - THIS VISIT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS.
Visit this handsome 17th century National Trust house with walled garden. Entrance fee £9.
Saturday October 10, 2020, 10:00
GARDEN VISIT - RHS Garden Wisley - THIS VISIT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS.
The flagship garden of the RHS.
Saturday November 21, 2020
CLUB MEETING
TBC