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Talks

Join us for our winter lecture series, starting October 2024 at Shropshire Wildlife Trust headquarters in Shrewsbury.

193 Abbey Foregate,
Shrewsbury,
SY2 6AH

Talks are preceded by tea, coffee and biscuits.
Free evening parking available in the adjacent Abbey Foregate car park.

All welcome! Members free. Guests £5 on the door.

"The Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution and its Horticultural Heroes & Heroines"
Dr Francesca Murray

16th October 2025 @ 19:30

Francesca is a garden historian and author with a particular interest in forgotten Victorian gardeners, nurserymen and florists. A trustee of the Gardens Trust, she trained in Garden Design at Berkshire College of Agriculture and recently completed a PhD at Queen Mary University in London.

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"A Short History of Flowers: The stories that make our gardens"
Advolly Richmond

20th November 2025 @ 19:30

Advolly is an independent researcher in the history of plants, gardens and their importance in society. Based in Shrewsbury, she has an MA in Garden History from the University of Bristol, is qualified to RHS Level 3 in Practical Horticulture, and is a Fellow of the Linnean Society.

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"Ernest 'Chinese' Wilson: Birmingham's Plant Hunter"
Simon Gulliver

15th January 2026 @ 19:30

Simon is Gardens Consultant for the National Trust North-West Region, responsible for all gardens and parks from the south Cheshire to the Scottish border. With a degree in Amenity Horticulture from Pershore College, Simon worked at the Royal Horticultural Society garden at Wisley for two years, looking after the National Plant Collections Scheme. After studying for a Masters degree in Plant Botany at Edinburgh Botanical Gardens, he went on to spend ten years at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, eventually becoming the Plant Collections Manager there.

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"Roses Through Time"
Lisette Zwart

19th February 2026 @ 19:30

Lisette has a wealth of experience in the horticultural world, including serving as the first female Head Gardener of the Grade II* listed gardens at Plas Newydd in Llangollen. Her background combines academic excellence – holding a Master's degree in English Language and Culture – and practical expertise, supported by RHS qualifications.

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"AGM"

19th March 2026 @ 18:30

Followed by refreshements

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"The National Memorial Arboretum"
Keith Forster

19th March 2026 @ 19:30

Keith is a volunteer speaker with the National Memorial Arboretum and will talk to us on the development of the National Memorial Arboretum.

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Please contact Stephen Packer, Programme Co-ordinator on 07587 176996 or email events@shropshiregardens.org.uk in the event of any queries.

Shropshire Parks & Gardens Trust

info@shropshiregardens.org.uk

Shropshire Parks & Gardens Trust
24 Greenacre Road
Shrewsbury
SY3 8LR

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Registered Charity No. 1202152