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Shropham Vicarage Garden Visit
A guided tour with Guy Barker
7 May 2026
Many of our regular members will remember Guy Barker's entertaining talks on 'Spring Things' (March 2024) and 'Snowdrops and Winter Garden Treasures' (January 2023). We are very pleased that in May, Guy will be able to give us a guided tour of Mr and Mr Napier's garden at Shropham Vicarage, where he works as Head Gardener.
The five acre garden, which is only open occasionally to invited groups, includes a courtyard garden, herbaceous borders and a large collection of roses. There are many shrubs, magnolias and interesting trees, and Guy will be on hand to walk around with us.
Shropham Vicarage, a grade II listed building, has some interesting history. The garden includes a copper beech (Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea) planted to commemorate the coronation of George V. The artist Sir Alfred Munnings and author Mary E Mann were visitors to the vicarage (ref). Mary E Mann is buried in the adjacent churchyard.
After enjoying the garden, refreshments will be served.
Further details of the visit by email nearer to the date.
Cokesford Farm Garden Visit
12 June 2026
A private visit to Cokesford Farm in Tittleshall. A farmhouse garden of about two acres. Well planted mixed borders surround lawn and ha-ha, with extensive rural views and lake. Parterre, vegetable garden, informal orchard, and short woodland walk.
Further details of the visit by email nearer to the date.
Ghost Ponds of Norfolk
a talk by Prof. Carl Sayer
19 November 2026
Carl visited our group several years ago and we are absolutely delighted to have him back. An engaging and dynamic speaker, his last talk generated huge interest and very positive feedback.
Carl is a Professor in the Department of Geography at University College London (UCL) where he leads the Pond Restoration Research Group (PRRG). He is passionate about ponds, co-founding the Norfolk Ponds Project with Helen Greaves. As well as studying Norfolk's ghost ponds, Carl has been the driving force behind the restoration of many ponds and the adoption of policies to promote pond restoration, such as FWAG funding.
Carl is a regular contributor to the media including BBC Countryfile and Radio 4 programmes including Open Country, On My Farm, Farming Today, Inside Science and The Naked Scientists.
Mileham Village Hall at 7:30pm. £5.
Everyone is welcome, no booking required.
To identify ancient ponds in the area, overlaid onto modern aerial photography, visit this National Library of Scotland map explorer and adjust the "transparency of overlay"
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