Our October speaker, Tamsin Westhorpe, former Editor of The English Garden magazine, spoke most entertainingly about her life as a gardening journalist. Tamsin began in horticulture, but encouraged by a former college lecturer who was now a gardening editor, she began writing, learning as she went along. An editor needs unique ideas, and Tamsin’s greatest coup was to persuade Raymond Blanc to allow access to Le Manoir’s gardens for two years. We learned about lead time and the differences between weekly and monthly magazines, that photographs are often shot a year ahead, and that gardening with pots is the most popular feature. We also learned of the perils of product testing, the most important considerations when selecting a magazine’s cover, and that skill and speed are essential. In fact we learned so much, we will never look at a magazine in the same way again!

Our next meeting is at Crowle Parish Hall, WR7 4AZ, on Saturday, 11th November at 2pm when Julie Ritchie from Hoo House Nursery in Tewkesbury, will talk about ‘Colour Combinations’ and bring plants for sale. Raffle and refreshments available. Visitors welcome at £3. For more information visit: www.worcs-hardy-plant.org.uk

JAYNE SAVAGE