In April we will have our first tour looking at how flowers have inspired artists.

Doug Kemp, Farm Manager of Regather organic farm and community benefit society, describes his journey from desk job in London to organic farming cooperative on the outskirts of Sheffield. (THIS LECTURE REPLACES THE ADVERTISED TALK BY SHEFFIELD FRUIT TREES)

New FOBS members are invited to come along and find out a bit more about the Friends. We will have a short talk by Carolyn, our Chair, a photo review of recent events, tours of the gardens and home-made cakes and coffee. New Friends will receive a personal invite at the beginning of March.

In this talk Richard Brown aims to explain why horticulture is good for our physical and mental health and takes us on his own therapeutic gardening journey, to find the lost Victorian melon, the ‘Hero of Lockinge’.

For March we’ll be exploring the history of the Gardens.   

Using previously unseen slides from a private collection, FOBS Gardens historian Alison Hunter will examine the more recent history of the Gardens, including the National Heritage Lottery funded restoration project and the role of the various partners who are responsible for the ongoing development and maintenance of the Gardens.

National Trust scholar, Claire Margetts describes what she has done and what she has learned in her 18 month scholarship at Sissinghurst Castle Gardens in Kent and beyond.

Our first trip of 2024 will be a walk amongst the nodding snowdrops at Highfield House in Alfreton. Places are limited, so please let Lorraine Milne know by 26 January if you would like to join us .

For February we’ll be exploring some of the scents and smells of the early Spring garden, as well as examining the medicinal heritage of some of our plants.

Not all Himalayan blue poppies are blue! By drawing on the wealth of information available, Professor Rankin will help us to understand the wonderful yellow Meconopsis - and to explain how relationships between different kinds emerge, and sometimes names have to change.

As northern region co-ordinator for the Gaia Foundation's Seed Sovereignty programme, Catherine Howell will examine the history and politics of seed production, the importance of diversity, and some simple 'next steps’.

Author and keen allotmenteer Margaret Boulton describes and celebrates the history of allotments in Sheffield from the 18th century to the present day.

CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS Author and biographer Catherine Horwood explores the origins of the cutting garden and reveals its fascinating links to a social history involving walled gardens, plant introductions, commercial floristry and flower arranging.

Trish and Peter Kohn will give an updated talk on the establishing of their garden at Kerrachar in the far north-west of Scotland. This talk replaces the publicised ‘Cutting Garden’ talk due to illness.

FOBS members, new and old are invited to join our Christmas festivities.

For November we’ll be exploring some of the beautiful trees in the collections.

Join us for a viewing of a gardening themed film at our informal movie morning

Following the business of the AGM, retired NHS consultant Simon Olpin will share the challenges of establishing a range of hardy ‘subtropical’ plants in his Sheffield back garden.

CANCELLED BECAUSE OF PREDICTED BAD WEATHER

Master Composter Rod Weston will look at different approaches to making compost and provide hints and tips on composting successfully.,

We regret that due to illness, Linda is unable to deliver her talk and our meeting scheduled for Monday 9 October has been CANCELLED.

For our last day trip of 2023 we are going to the National Memorial Arboretum. The NMA has over 400 military and civilian memorials set in 150 acres offering peaceful woodlands, colourful gardens and riverside walks in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

For September, we’ll be exploring some of the plants and flowers that appear in Shakespeare’s writing.

Pam will explain the work, conservation dilemmas and future ambitions of working with over 400 years of garden history, over 200 gardens and the largest plant collections in Europe.

Award winning sweet pea grower Darren Myers will provide hints and tips on growing better Sweet Peas, whether it be for garden decoration, cut flower or exhibition.

Join us for our last plant sale of the season. Your chance to buy beautiful plants propagated in the Gardens.

THIS TOUR HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Another chance to catch our popular tour, given as part of 'Dutch Flower Paintings Exploring Art in Bloom' with Sheffield Museums Trust.

For August, we’ll be exploring some of the plants and flowers in the Gardens that have been used as textiles and dyes.

This tour will also be offered on Monday 14th August at 6pm.

Jill Sinclair and Laura Alston will explore the life and career of Scottish landscape gardener, horticulturalist and writer Robert Marnock (1800 - 1889) as well as some of the unusual and engaging events that have been happening around the country as part of this summer’s Marnock Celebrations.