Free Gardens and Garden History Talk

PRESS RELEASE no: 2015/01    

6th February 2015

With Russell Bowes and Jim Buttress
At the Progress Hall, SE9 1SL
Saturday 21st March 1400 - 1600 (Doors Open at 1330)

Spring is a time of regrowth.   Bulbs are already pushing their leafy noses through the soil, harbingers of the exciting things to come - primroses, daffodils, tulips, roses, hardy annuals, geraniums, fuchsias, dahlias and, of course, the wonderful colours of autumn.   Many of the plants we grow today were gracing gardens 100 years ago.   Fruit and vegetables can look just as good and have the benefit of providing food on your doorstep.

Russell and Jim will start our centenary ball rolling.   Russell, a prominent lecturer on Garden History, will be talking about how the nation Dug for Victory 75 years ago, reminding us of the role the Land Girls had in feeding the country, how gardens and parks were turned over to vegetable-growing and why Enid Byton’s rabbit was called Stew!

Jim Buttress

Former royal gardener Jim, the judging panel's growing expert on BBC2’s Big Allotment Challenge, is one of the UK’s leading gardening experts. He was superintendent of the Royal Parks for 25 years and his clients have included Her Majesty the Queen and his old friend the Queen Mother.   He will answer questions on any aspect of gardening anyone cares to ask.

THIS IS A FREE EVENT although people are asked to apply for tickets so we have an idea of numbers for catering purposes.   There is also a maximum number of people the Hall can sit.   Please call or text your name, phone number and the number of tickets you would like to 07599 610262 or email the same information to 2015tickets@gmail.com. 

Note for Editors:

Originally named the Well Hall Estate, The Progress Estate was built in 1915 to provide housing for the many additional workers the Woolwich Arsenal needed to manufacture the armaments required by the services during the First World War.   Conservation Area status was granted in 1975, in recognition of its unique architectural character.

For additional information, please contact:

Keith Billinghurst

Progress Residents Association committee member

56 Arsenal Road

Eltham

London  SE9 1JY

tel: 020 8856 5593 or 07962 877389

email:               TheProgressEstate@Gmail.com

Twitter:             @ProgressEstate

Website:           www.progressestate.co.uk