Northern Orchidaceae

On Tuesday 29th April 2025 I had the fortune to be able to meet the honourable Gardener – Mr Alan Titchmarsh CBE. This meeting came about after I contacted the Friends of Bolton Priory to ask if could hand over a copy of my book; The Dales Slipper (Past-Present) to Alan, as I felt that he might be able to drum up some interest in it to make more sales, but also with the hope that he might give me any feedback or even a review. Surprisingly I have much in common with Alan , probably more than he realised! Like him, I have a Parks Apprenticeship and also went to study at a Botanic Garden, and worked at Kew  Gardens, on exchange for several weeks. Indeed, I also know one of his fellow gardeners on his TV programme 'Love My Garden' – I used to teach Katie Rushworth garden design and was present overseeing her fill in her application form to get on the programme. Anyhow, I haven't heard from Alan yet, maybe he's too busy writing his own books to read mine. Nevertheless I tho...

  Enjoy this Informative 2021 Video Length – circa 13mins Click The Image to open Youtube Video The above image was taken by the late Alan Gendle. I sent him some surplus Bee Orchid corms that needed re-homing. Alan was happy to take them off my hands. As you can see he planted some of them in a small group, presumably so he could monitor them. He chose a good sunny spot for them and they appear to be doing rather well amongst several orchid species. I don't know where he put them, he didn't say, but I have a feeling they might be on an embankment at Waitby Greenriggs Nature Reserve, part of Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Alan was reserve manager there at the time.    

  WILL YOU BE THERE?