Date/Time
Date(s) - 02/12/2026
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Location
Leicester Bowling Club
Please note the change of day to Wednesday for the meeting.
A message from Stephen:
As we are coming to the end of another year, it is a time for reflection. As garden enthusiasts 2026 has been a challenging year with prolonged dry spells and high temperatures. With dire forecasts of what the winter will bring and the government encouraging citizens to stock up with essentials in case of climate crisis, we are not out of the woods yet.
On a more positive note, the Trust has enjoyed another successful programme of lectures, visits and holidays this year. Since the sad loss of Elizabeth Bacon the organisation of events has been a collegiate effort. However, I must give especial thanks to Rose Wood and Alison Simpson who have carried out the bulk of the work, involving contacting sites and speakers, to find availability and confirm bookings. I am sure you will join with me in thanking them for their hard work. I am pleased to say that the programme for 2027 is taking shape and we will be giving members advanced notice soon so that you can reserve the dates in your diaries.
During the course of this year we have unfortunately lost two members Ruth Smith and Celia Purdy, both of whom have died. On behalf of the Trust I extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of both members. Our especial thanks go to Celia Purdy’s husband Rob who has agreed to present a slide show of the holiday in Folkestone earlier this year, for the Friends Evening.
As has become the tradition in the Trust the last event of the year is the Friend’s Evening which falls on Wednesday 2nd December this year. It has been the aim of the Trust to foster a social element to our activities. Whether it is ensuring there are proper tea and coffee stops on trips to the provision of tea, coffee and cakes after the lectures so members can socialize with each other. At the Friend’s Evening suitable festive drinks and snacks will be provided for members to enjoy along with three short presentations reflecting different aspects of the Trusts activities.
New Trust member, Joseph Pole, is both a garden historian and an archaeologist. He is going to tell us a little about his work.
He has also volunteered to resurrect the Trust’s Newsletter which lapsed during Covid and was partially replaced by the new website. Joseph plans to produce a twice-yearly Newsletter for the Trust which will be distributed online.
Some of the Research Group members are researching the former walled kitchen garden at Little Dalby Hall. This now functions as White Goose Flower Farm and we are delighted to welcome Fleur Ketley who will talk about the amazing garden and flower farming business that she is creating there.
Finally, Gardens Trust member, Rob Purdy, has created a slide presentation for us. This features this year’s summer holiday staying in Folkestone and will bring back happy memories of some of the amazing Kentish gardens that we visited.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in December.
Stephen Barker
Chairman
Leicestershire and Rutland Garden Trust