Our programme for 2025 took us away to North Yorkshire this year where we visited our usual 5 venues including Thornton Hall, Scampston , Helmsley Walled Garden and Nunnington Hall. The weather was glorious and we were well looked after at the local hotels including The Feathers where we dined on two nights.

The programme includes trips out during the summer, then in the winter we use Longhirst Hall for talks and other get togethers. We visted Howick and were given a guided tour of the sensory garden and bog garden. Although many of us have been to Howick we benfitted from the guides and so it was very enjoyable.

Amongst other things, we combined forces with the Art Appreciation Group and visited the Bishop's Palace at Bishop Auckland which included a newly created walled garden . In the spring, we visted Birkheads Community Garden where there has been huge expansion into three acres . They have won an RHS local garden award. It was pretty spectacular.

At the end of the season we visited a private garden in Beadnell. It was really unusual and had a whole load of unusual plants. Our host had a shed full of pots for neighbours to come and use, a fabulous victorian greenhouse and one area had views over the local countryside. For the indoor activities we had interesting talks on houseplants, small gardens and one on the NGS by Maxine Eaton who is now heavily involved. We always end the year with a Harvest Supper and a fun Xmas get together.