THE speaker at our AGM was Neil Cook, the Head Gardener at Hanbury Hall, NT.

He began by telling us of his career before coming to Hanbury in 1988. He explained how the projects to recreate the original gardens in 1993 was planned and financed.

There was very little information left from the original grounds surrounding the house which was built in 1701.

Some NT properties have plans; maps and plant lists dating back to the origins of the gardens but these were not available. They researched books and plans from similar properties and using the expertise that is available to the NT, alongside some excavations, to create the most accurate representation of what each section might have looked like.

Neil talked about each of the restored features in turn; the parterre, fruit garden, grove, orangery and bowling - green, using before and after photographs to illustrate how the work had progressed. He stressed how important visitors are to the upkeep of National Trust properties as well as the invaluable support of the large number of volunteers.

Please contact me for details of our future programme on 01684311297 or www.blackpeargc.org.uk.

BRIAN SKEYS