OUR January speaker was journalist and garden historian Tim Richardson who spoke wittily about the Gardens of the Oxford Colleges, subject of his recent book. Early illustrations from the British Library were compared with recent photographs to show how the colleges and their gardens had developed over time. Tim particularly recommended Worcester College for its excellent gardens, and Magdalen for the experience of taking a riverside walk through a deer park in a city centre. Other interesting gardens featured included those at Corpus Christi, Nuffield, Wolfson, St John’s and St Hughes. Many college gardens are open to the public with details available online.

We next meet on Saturday 11 February at 2pm, Crowle Parish Hall, WR7 4AZ. Jane Kilpatrick’s talk ‘The Fathers of Botany’, covers the golden age of plant hunting. Admission is free for members and £3 for visitors. For membership information visit: www.worcs-hardy-plant.org.uk.

Member, Margaret Stone is opening her 1.5 acre garden to celebrate 60 years of the HPS, on Sunday 12 February when snowdrops will be the main feature. Open 11am – 4pm at Brockamin, Old Hills, Callow End, WR2 4TQ. Entrance £3. Refreshments and plants will be for sale.

JAYNE SAVAGE