All person to person talks will take place at the
Village Hall, 17 Victoria Road, Tilehurst, READING, Berkshire RG31 5AB
Talks Programme 2025-2026
Talks take place in Tilehurst Village Hall. See details at the top of the page.
September 25th 2025 7:45pm
Spring in the Garden by Timothy Walker
We are excited to start the new programme with a talk by Timothy Walker, Lecturer in Plant Biology, Somerville College, Oxford. His focus will be on creating a great spring display in the garden. He says, ‘Gardeners know that Spring has arrived when there is too much to do in the time available!’
October 30th 2025 7:45pm
The history of Sutton Seeds by Richard Marks
Local historian Richard Marks will explore Suttons from its humble beginnings to becoming an important part of Britain’s Horticultural history.
November 27th 2025 7:45pm
TBC
January 29th 2026 7:45pm
Austin Crabbe, Englefield Garden Centre Manager
Austin will tell us about the garden centre and the work they do with the Affinity Trust. He will also talk about Winter Gardening or Preparing for the summer (topic to be confirmed.)
February 26th 2026 7:30pm
THA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
March 26th 2026 7:45pm
Growing Vegetables by Ray Broughton
Ray trained at RHS Wisley and is now Senior Lecturer at Sparsholt College. He will share his expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm for vegetable growing.
April 30th 2026 7:45pm
Keith Winter from Berkshire Bonsai Society
Keith Winter will introduce us into the fascinating and skillful art of Bonsai
May 28th 2026
Social
Talks Programme 2024-2025
Talks take place in Tilehurst Village Hall. See details at the top of the page.
September 26th 2024 7:45pm
Crayfish on the lawn and other gardening stories by Joff Elphick
Joff’s talk is one of a very few multimedia presentations that are given in the horticultural industry. “I show videos of things that you have never seen before. I play audio from gardening experts and celebrities and I include photos of interesting plants and other things I have seen while down on my knees rooting about in the borders” I am sure our members will enjoy an interesting evening.
October 31st 2024 7:45pm
Autumn bulbs for Spring flowering by Tim Woodland
Tim Woodland of Direct Bulbs, Winchester will talk on planting and growing bulbs for spring colour. There will be bulbs for purchase during the evening.
November 28th 2024 7:45pm
Nature and wellbeing by Ailsa Claybourn
Ailsa will enlighten us why digging our garden is good for us, and look at the science behind our love of nature, and what we can do to enhance our wellbeing.
January 30th 2025 7:45pm
Roses by Alan Goold
We welcome Alan who many of you will know is from Henry Street Garden Centre. He will tell us all we need to know about roses and will bring some to sell on the evening.
February 27th 2025 7:30pm
THA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
March 27th 2025 7:45pm
The work of Gertrude Jekyll by Richard Bisgrove
Richard is a Landscape Architect and acknowledged expert and published author on the gardens of renowned designer Gertrude Jekyll.
April 24th 2025 7:45pm
The Withymead Nature Reserve by a Trust Warden
The nature reserve is a 13 acre site on the banks of the Thames, on the edge of Goring. The talk will tell of its history and expand on its aim to boost local wildlife directly, with practical nature conservation; and indirectly, by inspiring people to enjoy nature and to join in its quest to protect it.
May 29th 2025 7:45pm
Getting ready for the Show
Two speakers, Shirley Sexton and Graham Chapman will be telling us how to prepare for the show. Shirley on flower arranging without using florist foam(oasis) which no longer allowed and Graham will provide hints and tips on preparing vegetables for display.
Talks Programme 2023-2024
Talks take place in Tilehurst Village Hall. See details at the top of the page.
28th September 2023 7:45pm
Hardy Geraniums by Jacqueline Aviolet
Jacqueline, who owns and runs Rosie’s Garden Plant Nursery in Kent, grows a variety of mainly hardy plants in the open to ensure their growth at a normal rate. She will be giving an informative and humorous talk on the history and propagation of hardy geraniums and will be bringing plants for reference and for sale.
26th October 2023 7:45pm
The History of the Harris Garden by Derek Press
The Harris Garden is a botanical garden of the University of Reading. It was established in 1972 and named after Professor Tom Harris, a distinguished palaeobotanist and gardener. Derek will talk about the garden’s history and its modern development.
30th November 2023 7:45pm
BBOWT by Steve Johnson
Steve works for the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust at Thatcham Discovery Centre which is one of the largest areas of inland reedbeds in southern England. He will speak about the important work which goes on there. It is surrounded by a mosaic of different habitats with fantastic plants and wildlife to see all year round.
25th January 2024 7:45pm
Honey Bees and Other Pollinators by Jenny Morgan
Jenny has spenther career in Education both here and in Botswana.
29th February 2024 7:30pm
THA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
28th March 2024 7:45pm
Making the Most of What You Have by Ben Pope
Ben is currently head gardener for a private garden in West Sussex. He has earned a Wisley Practical Diploma, RHS Diploma and the RHS Master of Horticulture. He writes for Gardens Illustrated, teaches at the Chelsea Physic Garden and at West Dean College of Art and Conservation. His talk will tell us how to get the most out of your garden whatever the size or space.
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25th April 2024 7:45pm
In a change to the original talk
Littlebrook Fuchsia Nursery by Carol Gubler
We are pleased to welcome Carol back, in person this time. Carol was one of our zoom speakers during the pandemic. Carol will be speaking about fuchsias and hopefully be bringing a selection of fuchsias for sale.
30th May 2024 7:45pm
Social Evening Question Time with Refereshments
An evening like Gardener’s Question Time, but with a twist. The impromptu Q&A which we did last year showed an immense depth of knowledge in our membership, so to dip into this pool, we would like you to send us your questions and we will select some to put to the audience.
Talks Programme 2022-2023
Talks take place in Tilehurst Village Hall. See details at the top of the page.
29th September 2022 7:45pm
Pot Plants by Ray Broughton
Ray trained at RHS Wisley and has been teaching a wide range of horticultural subjects for over two decades. He was awarded a Fellowship by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture for his service to horticulture. Ray was a senior lecturer at Sparsholt College.
27th October 2022 7:45pm
Organic Vegetable by Iain Tolhurst
Tolhurst Organic is one of the longest running organic vegetable farms in England, based in Whitchurch on Thames. He was the first to obtain the “Stockfree Organic” symbol in 2004. He supplies in season organic fruit and vegetables, delivered locally from is 17 acre farm.
24th November 2022 7:45pm
Brussels Sprouts to Tangerines by Jacqueline Aviolet
Jacqueline who is the proprietor of Rosie’s Garden Plants in Kent where she raises all of her stock in the open to ensure their growth at a normal rate. She will share with us her love of gardening in an amusing seasonal tale of Brussels Sprouts to Tangerines. There will be plants available to buy at the meeting.
26th January 2023 7:45pm
My Greenhouse Year by Gillian Taylor
Gillian is an experienced plantswoman and gardener having recently left full-time veterinary work to devote more time to horticulture. Her wooded garden in Hampshire is managed sympathetically for wildlife. She has set up a freelance business to offer advice on plant care and selection. She is a member of the Hampshire Gardens Trust and Plant Heritage.
23rd February 2023 7:30pm
THA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
30th March 2023 7:45pm
Chelsea Secrets by Pip Bensley
Pip has a wealth of experience in the floral and horticultural world. In “Chelsea Secrets” she will give us a sneak look at what goes on behind the scenes at the Chelsea Flower Show. She is a Gold Medal winner and is now a senior RHS judge, chairing a judging panel at Chelsea. Her talk will be accompanied by beautiful images.
27th April 2023 7:45pm
The National Fruit Collection by Dr. Matt Ordidge
Our very own Dr. Matt Ordidge is the Scientific Curator of the U.K’s National Fruit Collection (containing apples, pears, plums, cherries). He will talk about the origins of the collection and the work that the University of Reading does to protect a diverse range of fruit varieties for future generations.
25th May 2023 7:30pm
Plant Swap
Please bring along at least one potted plant , vegetable seedlings or bedding plants to swap for a new plant(s). Entrance will be £1 which will cover refreshments. Please only bring good quality plants that you would like to receive yourself, either in a pot or if seedings or small plants in a small tray.
Talks Programme 2021-2022
Although person to person talks resumed in the autumn of 2021 it has been agreed by your committee that the January 2022 talk takes place on zoom. Please contact the secretary at tilehurstha@gmail.com for details.
The person to person talks take place in Tilehurst Village Hall. See details at the top of the page.
28th October 2021 7:45pm
Nature’s Poisoners by Lynda Warren
Lynda is a writer and researcher. Lynda writes and produces educational events
which have taken her to Paris, Barcelona, Florida, New York, London and
Skegness! Her talk will highlight the dangers lurking in our gardens, with
historical and literary links.
25th November 2021 7:45pm
Extreme Allotmenteering by Alan Clark
Alan has been a gardener for more than 50 years, both as an amateur and as a
professional. As a professional Alan created and maintained large gardens,
making major transformations with the use of a very large digger. He has 9
allotments and 2 fair sized gardens to look after in his retirement.
27th January 2022 7:30pm (This will be a zoom meeting)
Rose Growing Made Easy by Simon White
Simon is the Garden Centre Manager for Peter Beales Roses with over 39 years’
experience in growing the Nation’s favourite flower – The Rose.
His talk will cover all aspects of growing roses to get the best out of them when
grown in different situations.
31st March 2022 7:45pm
The Royal Parks by Jim Buttress
Jim is a renowned horticulturalist. He presents radio programmes, judges for
the RHS and speaks at a variety of public and corporate events. Jim trained at
Wisley and worked with the Royal Parks in London, where he managed Hyde
Park, St. James Park, Clarence House and Buckingham Palace.
28th April 2022 7:45pm
Talk by the Woodland Trust by Richard Tennant-Eyles
Richard is a volunteer for the Woodland Trust and his talk will cover the state of woodlands in the UK today, as well as talking about the various threats and diseases facing trees. He will cover recent case studies and success stories together with the importance of ancient woodlands and what is being done to save it. He will also talk about local projects and Woodland’s Trust involvement in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.