The Progress Estate Reaches its 100th Birthday

This, the first of our 2015 Newsletters, provides everyone with details of our first three celebratory events.

Below, you will find details of each. We ask that people apply for tickets, even for free events, for two reasons.   Firstly, it will help us with catering.   Secondly, fire regulations determine the maximum number of people for each venue.

Subsequent Newsletters will give details of the events being held later in the year.

For those with computers or smart phones (including computer access at Eltham Library), the very best way of making sure you receive these details is to:

- write to us at theprogressestate@gmail.com, providing us with your email address, or

- ‘like’ us on Facebook (100 years of the Progress Estate 1915 -2015), or

- follow us on Twitter @progressestate.

Be awarded a Beautiful Gardens certificate by Jim Buttress 

Guest judges will be looking at front gardens on our Estate throughout the year and the owners of the best will be presented with their certificates by Jim Buttress, former Royal Gardener and presenter of BBC Two’s The Big Allotment Challenge, at our AGM and Christmas Social on Saturday, 12th December.   

Jim will also be talking at our first event, the Garden Talk and plant sale, on Saturday 21st March so you could get a head start by coming to hear what he has to say.

Do you know a Good Neighbour?

During the year, we will also be seeking nominations for our Nominate a Good Neighbour scheme.   Its purpose is to give a public Thank-You to those people who devote time to helping others.   Those nominated will be invited to receive recognition of the assistance they provide, again at our AGM and Christmas Social on Saturday, 12th December. 

We will not of course announce or publish anybody’s name without their prior approval, because we know that many of these people do not seek recognition for what they do.

SATURDAY, 21st MARCH 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

PROGRESS HALL, ADMIRAL SEYMOUR ROAD, SE9 1SL

RUSSELL BOWES: DIG FOR VICTORY AND JIM BUTTRESS OF BBC TWO’S THE BIG ALLOTMENT CHALLENGE 

Russell lives locally.   He will talk about the 1940’s when gardens saw clematis give way to cabbage, the Land Girls who helped to put food on the nation’s tables, the advice and propaganda given to gardeners and why Enid Blyton's rabbit was called "Stew".

Jim is a London Gardens Society committee member and a leading gardening authority.   Formerly a royal gardener, he is the growing expert on the Big Allotment Challenge.   He was superintendent of the Royal Parks for 25 years and has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Victoria Medal of Honour.

Refreshments, a raffle with a garden theme and plant cuttings on sale.

Please bring any cuttings or unwanted plants.    For help transporting them, please call 07947 043479.

Free tickets are available by calling or texting 07599 610262 or by email to 2015tickets@gmail.com.   

Please state your name, phone number, the Event’s name and the number of tickets you require. 

FRIDAY, 17th APRIL 6:30 – 8:50 p.m.

GORDON PRIMARY SCHOOL, GRANGEHILL ROAD, SE9 1QG

BBC RADIO 4’s ANY QUESTIONS?

A live broadcast during the 2015 General Election campaign.   The panel is expected to include well known politicians.   All questions are from the audience, on the night.

Wine and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available after the broadcast

We strongly recommend people pre-book tickets in order to avoid disappointment.  Please call or text 07599 610262 or email to 2015tickets@gmail.com stating your name, phone number, the Event’s name and the number of tickets you require.   

FRIDAY 22nd MAY 7:30 – 9:30 P.M.

PROGRESS HALL, ADMIRAL SEYMOUR ROAD, SE9 1SL

AN EVENING WITH OUR PATRON AND ANTIQUES ROADSHOW EXPERT JOHN SANDON

John will entertain us with anecdotes from the Roadshow.   Everyone is invited to bring along one item of china or porcelain for him to value.

Refreshments, and a raffle.

Tickets, £7.50/£6.00 concessions, are available by calling or texting 07599 610262 or by email to 2015tickets@gmail.com.   Please state your name, phone number, the Event’s name and the number of full price and/or concessionary tickets you require.   Payment at the door, either in cash or by cheque supported by a debit card (no credit cards please).