Our first meeting of 2020, which took place on Wednesday 5 February, the Guest Speaker was Dan Ryan, the Head Gardener of Gatton Park, Reigate RH2 0TW.Of particular interest at the moment is the snowdrop season, which will make a visit particularly worth while. As the main building is a school, opening times are limited, please check details here: https://gattonpark.com/visitingtimes.html
Basically, the 260 acre estate was designed by Capability Brown, with the addition of Edwardian gardens by the then owner of the property Jeremiah Coleman (of mustard fame). He grew, and had a personal passion for orchids.The estate is privately owned and is being restored by the Gatton Trust. The work continues to conserve the park. Dan would love to see the rather special Edwardian Greenhouses restored, and will do so as soon as funding permits.
There are water features, and in particular a main lake with a pan handle.
We were given the opportunity to purchase Gatton snow drops, Galanthus "elwesil" .
The 2020 Monthly Competition started at this meeting
and Chris D was the winner.
