VISITORS are always welcome on the first Monday of the month at Colwall Village Hall WR13 6EQ.

We meet for 7.30pm when there is a talk given by a person well versed in their speciality. Arrive early, meet the members and enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee.

The December meeting was preceded by the AGM at which nothing changed. Not quite true as our Treasurer of twenty years or more, David Taft, has decided he needs more time to garden. He was thanked on behalf of the Society by our Chairman, Helen Picton, who also presented a small token of gratitude for leaving our affairs in good order. He is succeeded in the post by Helen Johnstone.

The presentation was by Brian Skeys with the subject Wild Gardeners; from William Robinson to Piet Oudolf. The talk, enhanced with informative pictures, gave us the back story on how, for example, renowned garden designer Piet Oudolf was influenced by a chap born to nothing in 1838 in western Ireland.

Robinson began as a garden boy in County Waterford and, aged 21, was responsible for a large number of greenhouses in County Laois. For much disputed reasons, he left for Dublin in 1861. The head of the botanical garden at Glasnevin (a family friend), introduced him to the Botanical Gardens in Regent's Park, with responsibility for hardy herbaceous plants, specialising in British wildflowers.

The responsibility for British plants led him to the countryside appreciating the beauty of native flowers and trees, nurturing his enthusiasm for wild gardening; The Wild Garden is the title of his first book. He disliked many Victorian fashions, mass planting, statues, topiary and Italian gardens

He influence on English country gardens was vast. He designed Great Dixter for Christopher Lloyds mother and, for himself, created the garden and park at Grayvetye.

Prairie planting, with swathes of narcissi, grasses or meadows are partly Robinson’s legacy. This legacy was illustrated with pictures of gardens by today’s designers; John Brook at Denmans, Sussex; Keith Wiley The Garden House, Devon; Piet Oudolf at, amongst others, Scampston Hall, Yorkshire and Pensthorpe, Norfolk. Not bad for an Irish man who died in 1935.

On January 5 we welcome Simon Gulliver whose talk is on Chinese Wilson and Birmingham Botanic Gardens. Come early, make/meet friends and discuss your gardening interests (and challenges). There are many experienced and knowledgeable gardeners who are happy to answer questions. Subscriptions, payable in January, are £12; visitors are charged £4.

TIM BEAUMONT