Somerville’s new Alumni Gardening Network was launched with Timothy Walker’s well-attended, hybrid talk in February. Lots of Somervillians love gardening – and we’ll be organising more talks and visits as time goes on. If you would like to be connected with Clare Latham (PPE 1985), who chairs the network, if you have ideas or expertise to share, please email Jackie Watson (jacqueline.watson@some.ox.ac.uk) and she’ll put you in touch.
Oxford – Gardeners’ Lunch and Tour
Our first Gardening Network event is close to home and makes the most of Oxford’s summer gardens. On Thursday 26 June, Somerville’s wonderful gardening team, led by Head Gardener Alastair Mallick, would like to show interested alumni and their guests around the College gardens, talk about their planning, and introduce everyone to their latest creations. This will be followed by drinks and a buffet lunch. In the afternoon, the group will go to Worcester College to meet with their Head Gardener, Simon Bagnall, and have a look at his very different garden.
- 10.30-11am Meet in the Mary Somerville Room for tea and coffee
- 11am-12.30 Tour of Somerville gardens
- 12.30 Drinks reception
- 1pm Buffet lunch, then walk to Worcester Lodge to meet Simon
- 2.30-4pm Tour of Worcester gardens
We have 20 places available for this event, so please do book quickly. Events during the week are rare for Somerville. Future Gardening Network visits will largely be at weekends, and many are planned to be outside Oxford and the south-east, but this was an opportunity to see Somerville and Worcester’s summer gardens at their best, and we didn’t want to miss it!
If you would like to come to this event but need help with the booking costs, you are welcome to apply to the Senior Members’ Fund for financial assistance (applications to Jackie Watson: jacqueline.watson@some.ox.ac.uk)