Another anniversary

In view Sean's plans for an exhibition next year to mark 10 years of the forum, UK and European members might like to know about another exhibition to be held in London to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the founding of The Mediterranean Garden Society. 

I have pasted below a shortened form of the piece put in the November issue of The Lavender Bag.

From a very cold UK (minus 5C at 9am)

Joan Head


THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN
17 - 29 MAY 2004
RHS LINDLEY LIBRARY
80, Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PE


The Mediterranean Garden promises to be a fascinating exhibition, organised jointly by the Royal Horticultural Society’s Lindley Library and the Mediterranean Garden Society. It will be held in the library's upper and lower reading rooms, Vincent Square, London. 

The Mediterranean Garden Society, founded in Athens in 1994, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2004.  It now has active branches in many countries, approaching 1500 members worldwide, and is an associate member of the Royal Horticultural Society which celebrates its bicentenary the same year. 

RHS Lindley Library is one of the most distinguished horticultural libraries in the world, carrying a very fine selection of horticultural books, journals and garden guides.  The collection includes an impressive array of rare books and manuscripts dating back to the 16th century, as well as over 22,000 original botanical drawings.

Using a selection of the library's important and seldom seen material, The Mediterranean Garden explores the introduction of mediterranean plants into the British Isles over the last 500 years.  It includes rare books such as Sibthorp's Flora Graeca (2nd Ed), historical manuscripts, documents, photographs and botanical illustrations.  The exhibition concentrates on three main themes: collectors, with information on early plant hunters and their finds; plants, including specific genera such as lily, peony and iris; and historical and contemporary gardens, showing the development of the mediterranean garden in both Europe and the British Isles.  Five gardens will be highlighted: La Mortola, Italy; Serre De La Madone, France; Sparoza, Greece (the MGS garden) and Borde Hill and Highdown in England.  Information on mediterranean climate regions and climate change will also be included together with a display of botanical works from the library's collection and by MGS members.

During the exhibition there will be a Study Day for members of the MGS on 21st May at the Lindley Library.  It will include a tour of the library in the morning, together with a chance to view the exhibition.  Lunch will be followed by two illustrated lectures by eminent speakers.  Dr Brent Elliott, Librarian and Archivist at Lindley Library, will concentrate on historical material and plant collectors.  Roy Lancaster OBE VMH will focus on mediterranean plants in British gardens.  The afternoon will close with an open time for discussion and questions (lecture tickets £10, limited places). 

An illustrated catalogue will accompany the exhibition and can be pre-ordered.  Sponsors wishing to be associated with this prestigious event will receive acknowledgment in both the exhibition catalogue and on a sponsors’ board at the exhibition.  For this and all other enquiries please contact: 
 
The Mediterranean Garden Society (UK Branch)
Freda Cox, Hall Farm, Sidbury, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 6PY, UK
Tel. 01746 718547 Fax 01746 718707
Email: freda@fredacox.freeserve.co.uk
MGS web site: www.MediterraneanGardenSociety.org


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