ARMSCOTE Manor, near Shipston, is hosting a series of autumn lectures in September with proceeds going to Shipston Home Nursing.

The first of the four lectures, on Monday, September 4, will be given by Dr Lucy Wolsey, chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces, who will talk about Kew Palace and the Madness of George III.

On Tuesday, September 5, the subject will be the Campaign to Protect Rural England with the organisation's head of rural policy, Tom Oliver.

On Wednesday, September 6, Gwyn Perry, head gardener at Armscote, will talk about a life in horticulture - she took up gardening at the age of 14 and has spent more than 30 years in the field.

The gardening theme continues for the final lecture on Thursday, September 7, when Dr Isabelle Van Groeningen speaks on New Schemes for Historic Gardens: a new Approach to Garden Conservation.

All lectures start at 7pm with a glass of wine. For tickets, call Deborah Williams or Madeline James at Armscote Manor on 01608 682375.