Members of the public will have the opportunity to come on an Australian wine endeavour tour at the University of Bristol's Botanic Garden next week [Wednesday 6 July].
Members of the public will have the opportunity to find out about Australian Banksias and Gum trees, the koalas’ vital food, whilst spending an evening tasting Australian wines during an
Australian wine endeavour tour on Wednesday 6 July at 7 pm.
The Botanic Garden’s curator, Nick Wray, will lead the tour. Nick will discuss the diversity of Australian plant life and habitats and explain how plants have evolved to live with the destructive forces of fire.
The tour will stop at various locations around the garden to sample different Australian wines and see some of the beautiful Australian plants growing in the garden.
Nick Wray said: “Australia has a wide range of trees and shrubs. Banksias, named in honour of the 18th century naturalist, Sir Joseph Banks, are hugely diverse, ranging from large trees to creeping shrubs. Many have adapted to living with fire and are pollinated by a range of animals including night feeding possum.
“The Gum tree, also known as the Eucalyptus tree, is one of the most classic Australian trees with over 700 species, virtually all of which are native to Australia. One species Eucalyptus regnans is one of the tallest trees in the world measuring an astonishing 99.6 m (327 ft).”
Tickets for the, adult only, tour are priced at £15, and numbers are limited. Please send a cheque payable to “FUBBG” and a SAE to John Leach, 17 Ashton Crescent, Nailsea, Bristol BS48 2JR. Tel 01275 854992.
The Australian wine endeavour tour will take place on Wednesday 6 July at 7 pm at the Botanic Garden, The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, Stoke Bishop, Bristol BS9 1JG.
Further information
The wines on offer to taste during the tour are from Waitrose.
The University of Bristol Botanic Garden and Welcome Lodge is open to the public during July, August and September on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am until 4.30 pm.
Entrance to the garden is: adults £3.50; children under-16, Friends of the Botanic Garden Association, University of Bristol staff, retired staff and students – free.
The garden also offers private day, evening and weekend pre-booked guided tours for groups of ten and upwards. There is a charge for the guide, for more information contact the garden on tel (0117) 331 4906.
Directions to The Holmes
From the city centre go to the top of Whiteladies Road, at the junction and traffic lights go straight ahead across Durdham Down towards Stoke Bishop. At the traffic lights go straight ahead and take the first turning on the right into Stoke Park Road, The Holmes is 150 m on the right.
Members of the public wishing to support the work of the Botanic Garden should join the Friends of the Garden. For more information go to www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/BotanicGardens/friends/who.htm or write to Susan Redfern, The Membership Secretary, 24 Dublin Crescent, Henleaze, Bristol BS9 4NA.
