Past Events
An archive of events from 2022 onwards
Spring Things
a talk by Guy Barker
Thursday 20 March 2025
Many of you will remember when Guy gave an excellent presentation in January 2023 on 'Snowdrops and Winter Garden Treasures'. We are very pleased to have him back and this time his focus will be on the garden in Spring.
Guy will be bringing a selection of spring foliage and flowers to illustrate his talk about what is best at this beautiful time of the year.
Seagate - A Growing Story with Irises!
a talk by Chris Davey
Thursday 30 January 2025
Chris is proprietor of Seagate Nurseries, Lincolnshire. As you might guess from their web address, irises.co.uk, the nursery specialises in irises, though they are passionate about growing a range of perennials, particularly unusual varieties that aren't often available. The heart of the nursery is nonetheless its collection of bearded iris, about which Chris is very knowledgeable, and he's an entertaining speaker to boot.
The English Cottage Garden
a talk by Andrew Sankey
Thursday 21 November 2024
Andrew Sankey taught graphic design before starting a garden design/landscaping business in 1991. Whilst creating his own cottage garden in Lincolnshire, he became a passionate advocate of the cottage garden style, particularly for smaller gardens. Andrew has lectured widely on cottage gardening, medieval gardens, women gardeners, plant hunters and Arts and Crafts gardens, both in Britain and the USA. He has designed many cottage-style gardens and borders throughout the East of England of every conceivable shape, size and situation.
Andrew's book. Click the image to buy.
The Herbaceous Border
a talk by Luci Skinner
Tuesday 22 October 2024
Luci is an accomplished RHS trained plantswoman and until recently, co-owner of the well known Suffolk nursery, Woottens of Wenhaston. The nursery holds the Plant Heritage national collection of species and scented leaf pelargoniums.
Luci is passionate about both plants and garden design and her talk on herbaceous borders will focus on plant selection, ‘right plant - right place’, overwintering, when to plant and how to create year long interest using flower, foliage and form.
Grasses Workshop
with Jane Lister at Severals Grange
1 August 2024
We will be able to tour the garden to see the grasses looking at their best before Jane will help us understand how to get the most out of this very useful and attractive group of plants.
Pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Summer Social
Thursday 25 July 2024
Our annual summer social event.
Dale Farm Garden Visit
26 June 2024
A visit to Dale Farm in Dereham. The garden is being opened exclusively for our group.
Dale Farm is a magical garden created by the owners, Graham and Sally Watts. There is a newly planted wild flower meadow and a wonderful display of perennials. Graham and Sally will be available to tell us about the development of the garden and answer questions. The garden includes an extensive hydrangea collection, some of which should be in flower.
Roses, Growing Them at Their Best
A talk by Daniel Myhill
25 January 2024 at 7:30pm
Daniel is Treasurer of The Rose Society UK, and a judge for the Rochford International Rose Trials. He is holder of the National Collection of Persica Roses and was invited to design and plant a feature bed at the most recent RHS Hampton Court Festival.
'A Complete Guide to Clematis'. A talk by Peter Skeggs-Gooch.
19 October 2023 at 7:30pm
Peter is Director of Thorncroft Clematis Ltd. He is a leading expert on Clematis and a winner of many Gold Medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Shows. Peter is an accomplished public speaker and the evening promises to be both entertaining and informative.
Holme Hale Garden Visit
14 September 2023 at 2pm
A private visit to Holme Hale Hall owned by Mr and Mrs Simon Broke. This is a delightful walled kitchen garden designed by Arne Maynard and replanted in 2016/17 with a soft palette of herbaceous plants, including some unusual varieties, that provides a long season of interest. There is a greenhouse, vegetables, trained fruits, roses and topiary. A wildflower meadow and a recently renovated island pond add interest, along with the historic buildings. We will have a short introductory talk on arrival and then be free to wander with either the owners or their gardener on hand to answer any questions. Tea/coffee and cake complete the visit. The cost per person is £12 and proceeds will go to Holme Hale Church.
Summer Social
13 July 2023
Our annual summer social event.
Pruning Workshop
20 June 2023
Pruning is a subject that people are sometimes wary of, so... Brenda Hines will talk us through the basics of pruning by explaining why we prune, how we should prune and when we should prune. The cost per person will be £10 per head to include the workshop and tea and cakes with a maximum of 15 participants.
Old Hall Farmhouse Visit
11 May 2023
We had a delightful visit to the gardens of Old Hall Farmhouse in Swanton Novers. The garden, which is noteworthy for its collections of Camassia and Auricula, has previously featured in Country Living magazine.
Gardening for Wildlife
16 March 2023
A talk by Simon Harrap.
Simon is an accomplished speaker, photographer and author. His books include Harrap's Wild Flowers and the Pocket Guide to the Orchids of Britain and Ireland. He runs Natural Surroundings in N.Norfolk with Anne Harrap.
Everyone is welcome.
Snowdrops and Winter Garden Treasures
26 January 2023
A talk by Guy Barker, Head Gardener from Shropham Vicarage.
Mileham Village Hall. 7:30pm. £3 on the door.
Guy is an excellent speaker who will bring plant material to illustrate his talk.
Everyone is welcome.
Edgeworthia chrysantha flower
Hardy Exotics
27 October 2022
A talk by Richard Clarke, proprietor of Panache Plants.
Mileham Village Hall. 7:30pm. £3 on the door.
Richard has a background in horticulture, as a College Lecturer in Plant Science and as a Plant Breeder for a commercial grower. He is holder of the National Collection of Eucomis.
Richard is an entertaining speaker who will bring examples of hardy exotic plants, some of which may be more unusual.
Everyone is welcome.
Eucomis flower
The Wonderful Medlar, Our Forgotten Fruit
21 September 2022
A talk by Jane Steward.
Mileham Village Hall. 7:30pm. £3 on the door.
Jane is holder of the National Collection of medlars (Mespilus germanica) and owner of Eastgate Larder, makers of award winning medlar preserves. Jane will talk about her passion for reviving the medlar and the Norfolk orchard they have planted. She will bring samples of her medlar cheese and other medlar produce.
Medlars
Exhibition Dahlia Growers Visit
30 August 2022
Two members of the British Dahlia Society who live in Mileham have kindly offered to let us see what is involved in growing dahlias to show standard; the different stages that one has to go through to get the plants in perfect condition, and how to present them on the day.
Limited to sixteen places. UNG members only.
Summer Social
Thursday 21 July 2022
Our annual summer social event.
Mileham Open Gardens
3 July 2022
We were lucky to have fine weather for our fourth Open Gardens event. Fourteen gardens in Mileham opened and we had around 160 visitors. Mileham WI did a sterling job of providing tea and cake.
A very successful day, and we were able to make a substantial donation to the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Natural Surroundings
12 May 2022
We have organised a private late-afternoon visit to Natural Surroundings, Norfolk's Wildflower Centre. The visit includes a guided tour and tea & cake. Details to follow via email.
A Little Bit of Chile
10 March 2022
A talk by Kathy Gray
Kathy will illustrate her talk about the flora, fauna, landscape and history of Chile with photos taken on her visits to the country.
