The third annual, national networking forum from the Gardens Trust, attracting delegates from across the heritage and landscape sector, with County Gardens Trusts right at its heart.

Aim: An opportunity for all those with a stake in historic designed landscapes and their conservation to meet and discuss current issues. Speakers will update us on current Gardens Trust campaigns and will include representatives from Historic England, Natural England, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Woodland Trust. We will also be treated to case studies from County Gardens Trusts, showcasing their varied research and conservation projects.

Following the success of the GT’s ‘Compiling the Record’ campaign, the Assembly will take the 20th Century and Beyond as its theme, with highlight speaker Kim Wilkie, celebrated designer of ‘Orpheus’ at Boughton House, sharing his impressions of the essence and personal inspirations of British design through the centuries and his hopes for landscape architecture in the coming century.

Discussion will include ideas for sharing historic parks and gardens with a wider audience; the place of research in conservation; and ways to drive our sector’s renewed determination to be a combined force for good.

Background: The Gardens Trust was formed in 2015, from the merger of the Association of Gardens Trusts and the Garden History Society. This fresh conservation organisation is committed to the protection of designed landscapes and this drive is reflected in our campaigns and publications and in our support for the work of our 8000 County Gardens Trust volunteers. Conservation in these times of stretched resources relies on the sharing of skills and information, and one of the Trust’s most vital roles is to facilitate the dissemination of up-to-date research and policy, helping national bodies, local authorities and heritage volunteers to share their knowledge and expertise so that they may more effectively protect the landscapes we love.

This year’s Assembly, in the beautiful, 14th Century Hospitium, part of St. Mary’s Abbey, York, again brings together those working for the protection of historic designed landscapes, whether as staff or volunteers, to discuss key issues demanding our collective attention.

Programme:

10.00 Registration, tea and coffee

10.30 Welcome and Introduction: Tamsin McMillan, Historic Landscape Project Officer,

and Dr James Bartos, Chair, The Gardens Trust

10.50 Gardens Trust Campaign: “Sharing Repton, Historic Landscapes for All” Linden Groves, Strategic Development Officer, The Gardens Trust

11.10 Discussion and questions

11.20 Gardens Trust Campaign: “Compiling the Record of Mid to Late Twentieth Century Landscapes” Karen Fitzsimon, Chartered Landscape Architect and Garden Historian

11.50 Discussion and questions

Updates from landscape heritage organisations:

12.00 Parks and Gardens UK: Philip White, Director, Hestercombe Gardens Trust

12.20 National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces: Dave Morris, Chair

12.40 Discussion and questions

13.00 Lunch and networking

14.00 County Gardens Trust Case Study 1

14.30 County Gardens Trust Case Study 2

15.00 Discussion and questions

Updates from landscape heritage organisations:

15.10 Historic England: Jenifer White, National Landscape Adviser, Historic England

15.30 Natural England: Elaine Willett, Historic Environment Senior Adviser, Natural England

15.50 Woodland Trust, Speaker TBC

16.10 Discussion and questions

16.20 Tea and coffee

16.30 Key Speaker: “Cultivated Landscape in Britain and Some Thoughts on the Future”

Kim Wilkie, Landscape Architect

17.15 Discussion and questions

17.30 AOB

18.00 Close of Assembly

Historic Landscapes Assembly