Isn't it sad when you've trained or worked somewhere for a while, but then move on to pastures new and leave good friends and colleagues behind. Well, in 1908, just three years after the RHS moved to its first permanent garden here at Wisley, the Gardens Club was established as a means of keeping students and employees past and present in touch with each other.
Last Saturday we celebrated the Club’s 100th birthday. We did this in style with a large gathering of friends (and cake!), and to commemorate the occasion I, along with former RHS Director and Director General Chris Brickell and outgoing Gardens Club President Nick Freed, planted a new tree on the Conifer Lawn.
We selected a form of cedar of Lebanon form to complement our existing plantings. Cedrus libani subsp. stenocoma, the Turkish cedar. You can see the significance of this particular specimen and people present from the plant label.
One other duty performed was the passing of the badge of office from the departing to the new club president. Nick Freed 2006-2008 handed over to Ron Gilkerson to be president from now up to 2010. We wish him well during his presidency, at the start of what we hope is another great centenary of friends and colleagues keeping in touch and sharing their passion for plants.
