Great Dixter: the past, present and future

Press release issued: 17 November 2010

Christopher Lloyd was an inspired plantsmen and garden writer who spent his lifetime practising and refining his art at Great Dixter, his rambling Sussex manor house. Head gardener, Fergus Garrett, will talk about the various stages in Great Dixter's development, including its inspirational garden, at a public lecture tomorrow [Thursday, 18 November].

Christopher Lloyd was one of the most inspired plantsmen and garden writers of the past century and he spent a lifetime practising and refining his art at Great Dixter, his family's rambling Sussex manor. Head gardener at Great Dixter, Fergus Garrett, will talk about the house and garden at a public lecture tomorrow [ Thursday, 18 November].

Fergus will explain about the stages from purchase and restoration of the Lloyd's family home in 1910 to Christopher's inspirational world-class garden.

Fergus first met Christopher Lloyd while a student at Wye College and was invited to be head gardener 18 years ago. Now chief executive of the Great Dixter Charitable Trust, Fergus is involved in all aspects of the garden's development. He combines this role with lecturing, writing articles, serving on Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) committees and his full-time job of being a hands-on gardener.

Nick Wray, Curator of the Botanic Garden, said: "Such is the demand for this very special lecture that this event was booked in Fergus' diary two years ago."

Great Dixter, the past, present and future organised by the University of Bristol's Botanic Garden will take place on Thursday 18 November at 7.30 pm in the University of Bristol's Department of Chemistry, Lecture Theatre 1, Cantock's Close, Bristol.

Tickets priced at friends and concessions £6, non-members £9 are available in advance from John Leach, tel (01275) 854992 or email johnleach10@tiscali.co.uk. Any remaining tickets will be available on the door on the night.

Further information is available from the Botanic Garden, tel 0117 331 4906 or email botanic-gardens@bristol.ac.uk

Further information

The University of Bristol Botanic Garden at The Holmes is open to the public during November to March 2011 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 am until 4 pm, or dusk if earlier. A donation from non-Friends is requested during these months. Entrance to the Garden is free to members of the Friends of the Botanic Garden Association and University of Bristol staff and students. The Welcome Lodge will be closed but informational leaflets will be available. Disabled access and toilet facilities are available.

Please contact Joanne Fryer for further information.