We are delighted that in association with the Guernsey Botanical Trust we are hosting a lecture by the eminent speaker Christopher Bailes, who will give a talk on the RHS Garden Development at Rosemoor  at 7pm on Friday 15^th January 2016 at the Princess Royal Performing Arts Centre.

Rosemoor Reborn – the first 25 years of a new national garden:

In 1988 Lady Anne Berry donated her house and estate at Rosemoor to the Royal Horticultural Society. The gift included an existing 2ha garden and arboretum developed by Lady Anne, and a further 14ha of pastureland, where the RHS planned to create its first regional garden. This presentation tells the story of the development of Rosemoor; from Lady Anne Berry’s small highly-regarded plantsman’s garden, through two decades of expansion, to its current status as a national garden of over 50ha, attracting more than 170,000 visitors a year.

About Christopher Bailes

Christopher Bailes began his gardening career in 1971. After studying at Merrist Wood College in 1976 he joined the Diploma course at Kew. In 1979 he became Supervisor in the Tropical Section at Kew, and of Kew’s orchid collection in 1981, moving in 1985 to become Manager of the Eric Young Orchid Foundation on Jersey: from 1986 to 1990 he also edited The Orchid Review. In 1988 he joined the Royal Horticultural Society as Curator of Rosemoor Garden, and from 1995 to 2001 was also Curator of Hyde Hall. After leaving the RHS in 2010 he became Curator of Chelsea Physic Garden, retiring in 2014. He has written numerous articles and books on orchids and general gardening, including Hardy Orchids (1989, with Philip Cribb), and Hollies for Gardeners (2007). He is an RHS judge, and a member of the Society’s Gardens and Orchid Committees.

Tickets are available from reception at the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts, or by calling 749999 or online guernseytickets.gg. Ticket cost – £5.