Kewite-mail Autumn 2024

Kew Graduation Day

As president of the Kew Guild, I am cordially invited to the graduation event held in the Lady Lisa Sainsbury Lecture Theatre, followed by the reception, in the School of Horticulture. The day provides a great opportunity to celebrate what graduation day means to so many students, and with it, showcases how the Kew Guild assists in supporting these students as we fund several of the graduation prizes. This year’s prizes were allocated as follows:

• Matilda Smith Memorial - Sara Barnes
• Kew Guild Individual Study - Sara Barnes
• Dummer Memorial - Anna Lim
• George Brown - Sara Barnes
• Kew Guild Cup - Sara Barnes

The prizes are linked with the Kew Diploma in Horticulture but this year, with the support of Alan and Joan Hart, we initiated the Hart Prize, a cash prize award of £100 each to Kew Guild Diploma, Introduction to Horticulture and Kew Specialist Certificate students and Apprentices.

It really means a great deal to the students and to be part of their celebration is wonderful. It also serves to highlight the vital part that the Kew Guild plays in continuing our links and support of Kew graduates, whatever course they are undertaking.

AGM

First of all, our thoughts continue to be with David Hardman (and of course Margaret) and we are glad to hear that David is making good recovery.

For those that attended, I am certain that you would agree the day went very well and thank you for showing your support. The numbers attending were strong and the tour organised in the morning by Richard Barley and Silke Strickrodt was engaging, captivating and delightful. The AGM itself ran relatively smoothly and we were delighted to welcome and honour Susan K. Weiler, FASLA, RLA as Honorary Fellow of the Kew Guild. With over 30 plus years of experience, Susan has risen to prominence in the field of landscape architecture as a designer, speaker, and writer, and we were so pleased when Susan accepted the award.

The invigorating AGM, was then wrapped up with tea and excellent cakes in the SoH giving opportunity for members to network and view the students work, all of which helped the students raise £128.65. The day ended with a few of us attending a meal in the Coach and Horses and all this added together to make what I would consider a great day.  Thanks to all involved in helping this happen. Greatly appreciated.

RBG Kew – Bedgebury connection

In other news it has also been an interesting year for the Kew Guild in supporting other fabulous collaborations. From a Kew Guild visit to Bedgebury, we were asked by Dan Luscombe (Collections Manager) whether we could help support their centenary link trail. A trail that associates the strong links and early foundations between Bedgebury Pinetum and Kew. We have therefore matched the funding of the Forestry Commission of £3000 to help deliver this worthy interpretation piece, celebrating the very important Kew link to the early inception and development of Bedgebury Pinetum. This will be unveiled in the spring of next year and a tree planting to mark the centenary is planned for around 19 March next year, a hundred years since the first initial trees were planted.

Events

Several Kew members have engaged on a joint trip with the U3A to Tuscany, organised by Margaret and David Hardman.

I have held conversations with Cambridge University Botanic Garden for a planned trip to Cambridge and before announcing anything further, I am just waiting confirmation on a few included elements on this trip. I am aiming for the mid part of the year but will keep you posted. 

As a curiosity, regarding the Annual Dinner, Silke came across the following. I know we have mentioned organising two gatherings within a year and I would like to think that we can perhaps get something like the ‘Tea Party’ mentioned below together, to act as a rewarding and pleasant networking opportunity for Kew Guild members. Thanks Silke for sharing and again we will keep you posted.