Plant Heritage'sย Cambridge group is delighted to welcome highly acclaimed garden writer George Plumptre to deliver the 2026 Max Walters memorial lecture on 'The Centenary of the National Garden Scheme' in Cambridge this November.
Having recently retired as chief executive of the National Garden Scheme (NGS), he will reflect on the charityโs progress as it approaches its centenary and plans to celebrate this milestone in 2027.ย We are delighted he will be sharing his infinite knowledge about the NGS, gardens and plants on the eve of its significant anniversary. George Plumptre spent fifteen years as chief executive of the popular National Garden Scheme, retiring in 2025. He continues to manage some projects for the charityโs centenary. As chief executive, he introduced a range of new initiatives to enhance the NGSโs outreach, including gardening for health. Before joining NGS, George Plumptre enjoyed a long career writing about gardens and gardening and has published several books on topics ranging from garden history to cricket and horse racing. He was gardening correspondent of the Times, and for Country Life (for 40 years). His contributions to horticulture have been recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) with two medals: the Carew Pole Award in 2022 and the Elizabeth Medal of Honour in 2024. He writes for the Garden Collective.
Event details
Date: Saturday 21st November 2026.
Doors open 2pm, lecture at 2.30pm prompt. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
Venue: The William Collyn Centre, Wellbrook Way, Girton, Cambridge, CB3 0GP. Plenty of free parking, including parking for those with disabilities, or bus from Cambridge centre.
Tickets: In advance only. ยฃ12 Plant Heritage members and horticultural students, ยฃ17 for visitors. Please email Rosemary Buisseret to apply for tickets/information: ppsrjb@gmail.com
Kindly supported by Oakington Garden Centre.