To start off with, our very own Linden Groves recently wrote an article for the journal of the Landscape Institute about how the Gardens Trust is supporting volunteers to learn heritage skills through the Sharing Repton project. As a small charity we rely heavily on volunteers to support us in everything we do. The Sharing Repton project has been a fantastic chance to encourage new audiences to get involved and it has exceeded expectations all round. We're thrilled that Linden's article is spreading the word. Read the full article here. 

We also have an update on the New Research Symposium. Now that submissions have closed, the selectors have the annual challenge of choosing the four speakers. This has been particularly daunting this year because eleven fascinating proposals have been submitted. Watch this space for the outcome!

The range of applications reflects the extent to which the Gardens Trust reaches out to the scholarly community of post-graduate and independent researchers. This year eight came from UK-based researchers and three from overseas, a similar pattern to the first nine years of the NRS. Of the 69 applications since 2011, 45 were from UK researchers and 24 overseas. 

Last but by no means least, we’re really pleased to announce that Sally Bate has just joined our HLP team as the new part-time project officer. With a background covering teaching, garden design and being Vice-Chair of Norfolk Garden Trust, she brings plentiful experience to TGT. Sally will be working alongside Tamsin and the team to support the CGTs and GT members. Find out more and read Sally's introduction in full on our website. I'm sure you'll join us in giving her a warm welcome as she settles in to her new role.

TGT Events to whet any appetite 

Training days, member meet ups and exclusive invitations for 2019

Warley Woods Big Red Book Project: the grand finale!

Our research and recording training project at Warley Woods in the Black Country came to a fantastic conclusion on Bank Holiday Monday 6th May, when the volunteers that we had gathered and trained hosted a joy-filled open day at Warley Woods, to share their new knowledge of Humphry Repton.

The Warley Woods Big Red Book Project recruited 9 local people who were interested in learning how to research their park. They learnt to ‘read’ the historic landscape on the ground, research it in an archive, write a Statement of Significance to help conserve it, and present their new knowledge in a family-friendly leaflet. They shared this in public tours within an open day that included an exhibition, Repton painting challenges, stone painting and traditional toys.

The Warley Woods Big Red Book Project was part of Sharing Repton: Historic Landscapes for All, which is our audience development project being run thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Read more about it here.

County Garden Trust News and Events 

What's happening in the gardens near you? 

As part of Humphry Repton's bicentenary celebrations, the Isle of Wight Gardens Trust have created a booklet exploring his connections with the island. Repton seems to have been a regular visitor, for both business and pleasure. His career coincided with a growing popularity of the Isle of Wight. Grand marine villas were built and the grounds of older properties re-worked in the modern style. Flowering shrubs in lawns around the house provided a frame for the wider landscape which frequently included sea views. 

This fascinating booklet explores a variety of sites and looks at Repton's influence on the landscapes. Places to note include Mr Mackenzie’s Garden, Cowes, St John’s, Ryde and East Cowes Castle. If you fancy exploring these gardens and would like to see the booklet you can find it here.