Ashwood Gardening Club meets for the last time

Howard Drury (back row left) Tony Cartwright (back row right) and members of the Ashwood team

The Ashwood Gardening Club met for the last time on Friday March 3^rd after running for 22 years. The Gardening Club first met in 1995 and was established by Howard Drury (gardening journalist and lecturer) and Tony Cartwright (manager of Ashwood Nurseries).

Tony Cartwright with a group of Ashwood Gardening Club members

The club met for a Winter Lecture Series on the first Friday of every month from October to March in the lovely setting of the Tea Room at Ashwood. It was incredibly popular from the beginning and frequently over-subscribed.

The last meeting, attended by special guest of honour retired Ashwood grower Philip Baulk, came to a fitting conclusion with a lecture by Howard Drury. ‘50 Years of Ashwood Specialities’ traced the history of Ashwood’s speciality plants (including hellebores, hepaticas, cyclamen and lewisias) together with the development of John’s Garden, the beautiful private garden of nursery owner John Massey. To coincide with Ashwood’s 50th Anniversary this year, Howard also had a nostalgic look back at the evolution of Ashwood from its humble beginnings in 1967 to what it is today.

Anyone else for coffee…?

This fascinating and beautifully illustrated lecture was followed by presentations and speeches, led by club member Nicola Pomeroy, thanking all concerned (including the Tea Room staff) for their contribution to the smooth running of the club.

There was a special mention for Tony and Barbara Cartwright whose retirement from the Gardening Club prompted the winding up of the club.

Nicola’s final vote of thanks was reserved for Howard Drury:

Howard Drury

 “Over the years, we’ve followed plant hunters on their travels and marvelled at the knowledge of specialist growers.  We’ve been visited by head gardeners from their magnificent estates and curators from botanical gardens. All have inspired us with their passion but there can be no doubt that some of the most memorable lectures have been given by Ashwood’s owner John Massey and by Howard himself.

“I would like to congratulate Howard and sincerely thank him for running such a wonderfully successful group: without his interest, drive and dedication it could not have happened. He has found some of the best people to inspire us and equally, he has brought a wealth of his own knowledge to the club – and we have been the lucky beneficiaries”

NB Howard Drury is hoping to establish a lecture series at a local daytime venue. He is also available for lectures to gardening clubs, U3A’s etc.  If interested please email [email protected]