Embedded Files
Peonies on Parade
a talk by Gail Harland, Dip Hort (RHS)
Thursday 29 January 2026
People have always loved flowers, and peonies are among the most highly regarded, with petals of the finest silk and often a distinctive perfume. Their large, flamboyantly coloured blooms are attractive and photogenic, ideal for celebrations. Beyond the flowers, the colourful new shoots, described by landscape gardener Gertrude Jekyll as ‘dear rosy snouts’, add value and interest to any garden. Peonies appear in the art and literature of China, Korea, Japan, the classical Mediterranean and medieval Europe. (from Gail's book, Paeony)
Gail is a paediatric dietitian turned horticultural storyteller, photographer, and the author of several books about plants, including the definitive Peony in Reaktion’s Botanical series and Hardy Plant Society books on peonies and snowdrops.
Mileham Village Hall at 7:30pm. £5.
Everyone is welcome, no booking required.
Ghost Ponds of Norfolk
a talk by Prof. Carl Sayer
Thursday 26 March 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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