'The Great Geranium Robbery' a lecture being given by Dr David Marsh

The Great Geranium Robbery

The late 18th century saw a big expansion in Britain’s empire and as a result the importation of lots of “new” and “exotic” plants from all round the world. They were bought into commercial production, and our gardens and greenhouses by specialist nurserymen like Daniel Grimwood of Kensington. In 1795 rare plants were stolen from his nursery grounds including some newly introduced geraniums and ericas from South Africa. A suspect was quickly identified and arrested but strongly protested his innocence. The case ended up at the Old Bailey and pitted Grimwood against the plant collector who was accused of stealing it. This is the story not just of the court case that focussed on the stolen geraniums but the fascinating story of the rapid increased in the range of plants in Britain’s gardens and the ways that plant nurseries operated.

Our speaker : After an earlier career in teaching which included time as a head teacher in inner London, David completed a four year diploma course in Garden History which led on to an MA in Historical Research at Birkbeck College, University of London in 1999. He then went straight on to do a PhD at Birkbeck on ‘The Gardens and Gardeners of Later Stuart London’, awarded in 2005. David is an honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Buckingham. Until recently, he was a trustee of the Gardens Trust. He runs a 5 acre garden in western France.

Directions by car: From the A12, take the B1002 exit at junction 15 to Harlow/Chelmsford/A414/Margaretting. Follow the B1002 for 2.2 miles to the Community Centre on the south side of the road.

Parking: The centre has a 70 space Pay and Display Car Park which charges £1.50 for 2 hours and £2.25 for 4 hours (card payments only).

What3words?: large.heave.chose

Accessibility: The community centre has a dedicated disabled toilet, automatic doors and disabled parking spaces.

Ticket Prices:

Members: £10

Non-members / guests: £12

Students – 5 free places

Refreshments: Tea, coffee and biscuits