‘Gardening for Everyone’
Norfolk & Norwich Horticultural Society and new president Adrian Bloom announce new mission
In his new role as President of Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society (NNHS), Bressingham Gardens owner Adrian Bloom will be working on the 2019 initiative to reach out to a wider audience with a new, more inclusive mission.
To launch this mission, Adrian will be giving a presentation followed by a forum to discuss the present and future of gardening and horticulture.
The event will take place on the 27th April 2019, 6.30pm, at the John Innes Conference Centre, Norwich and is open to all. Places cost £10 per person, including welcome drinks and an opportunity to engage with local gardening organisations before the talk.
To book, visit the NNHS website.
Norfolk & Norwich Horticultural Society
NNHS was formed in 1829, one of the earliest horticultural societies in Britain. Since then the society has organised yearly shows and garden visits and helped with the education of the general public in gardening.
On his appointment as President, Adrian said: “NNHS have a long history and proud place in horticulture. With primarily volunteer help, the intention of the “Gardening for Everyone” mission is obvious, but it will take time to achieve. However, with support and close cooperation with other horticulturists, keen gardeners and organisations we hope NNHS can act as a catalyst to encourage more people into gardening at all levels.”
The Talk
LOOKING BACK: THE FOGGY BOTTOM STORY
Adrian Bloom is presenting in a talk some of his own experiences in creating Foggy Bottom, his own 50 year old 6 acre garden, now renowned for year round colour, and featured in books and on many television programmes over the years. Since the garden began in 1967, Adrian has been ‘on trend’ with innovative plantings of conifers and heathers, ornamental grasses and perennials, plant combinations and rivers, as well as the always in vogue: container grown plants. Adrian’s talk will also highlight some of the most reliable plants and will give recommendations, as well as plants for containers.
LOOKING FORWARD: A FORUM ON THE FUTURE OF GARDENING AND HORTICULTURE
A grandiose subject of course, the future is ongoing … How can we inspire?
The benefits of gardening could be briefly described as offering activity for mind and body, include edibles and ornamentals and plants in nature and the wild, as part of the living world of insects, birds and animals, the environment. A potential for lifelong interest, creativity and therapy for all… So why are there fewer gardeners by far than there used to be? Perhaps many reasons – space (or lack of), time, no childhood connection, too many distractions and competition for the consumer’s attention.
So what, if anything, can be done about it? We can’t halt societal changes but gardeners and horticulturists can have a voice. Building needs to be done from the top and the bottom, young and old (…and particularly middle aged!).
Let the debate begin!