An Octagonal Walled Garden, presented by Stephen Smith

Hertfordshire Gardens Trust

An exploration of forgotten connections rediscovered through the intriguing shape of the walled garden at Ray Park in Woodford, Essex.

Woolmer Green Hall

The place of the walled garden within the design and function of eighteenth and early nineteenth century landscapes has often been underestimated by garden historians. The overriding image of the Victorian head gardener producing champion cabbages and strawberries at Christmas obscures the role played by these gardens throughout the eighteenth century. Acting as testing grounds for plant collections and evolving associated science and technology as the century progressed, the Woodford garden’s close links to that of the Earl of Bute’s at Luton Hoo will be among the topics investigated. Stephen’s professional background is that of a horticulturist and it was during his apprenticeship that he worked in the walled garden at Ray Park. His career has since led him to work in numerous places, in the late 1990s he taught at Capel Manor and between 2002and 2011 was Landscape Manager on the Duke of Westminster’s London estate. Between horticultural and teaching commitments he is currently researching for a PhD with Queen Mary University of London on the topic of the eighteenth-century mercantile gardens of the Becontree Hundred, which will provide the context for this talk.I﻿mage credit: Archive reference no. D/DCy P2. Reproduced by courtesy of the Essex Record Office.I﻿nformation for attendees:<ul><li>Tickets must be purchased on-line via Eventbrite and will not be available on the door. The event capacity is 30 attendees.</li><li>A﻿ttendees will be sent a reminder e-mail 2 days prior to the lecture taking place at Woolmer Green Village Hall.</li><li>Doors open at 2.15pm for a 2.30pm start. Refreshments will be available before the talk starts.</li><li>Unfortunately it will not be possible to record this event.</li><li>T﻿here is plenty of free parking with easy access outside Woolmer Green Village Hall.</li></ul>

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An Octagonal Walled Garden, presented by Stephen Smith

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An Octagonal Walled Garden, presented by Stephen Smith

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