Monthly Archives: November 2018

With Torrington to Tintern…

Colonel the Honourable John Byng was just another  younger son of another not-very-well-known 18thc aristocratic family. He followed the normal route for younger sons, choosing the army over the navy or church and ended up as a minor government tax … Continue reading

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Hortus Eystettensis

This post is about an illustrated catalogue of the  plant collection in  a German bishop’s garden around 1600. After such an enticing introduction you  might need some convincing to read any further, so let me add that the Hortus Eystettensis  [or … Continue reading

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The Poppy

The annual red poppy is both fragile and fleeting,  and both robust and  enduring. Its vibrant coloured flowers  have been symbols of remembrance and rebirth throughout history.  So when I was asked if I was going to write a post … Continue reading

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The Art of Perfection…

We’re coming to the end of  the season for that most English of events the  autumn flower show. [There’s even been one recently in Ambridge!]  But  have you ever entered any of your fruit, veg, flowers or plants for one? … Continue reading

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