The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, Somerset When: 17 March 2024: 10am – 4pm At the heart of the historic city of Wells lies The Bishop’s Palace: a place full of secrets, stories and stunning scenery and home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for 800 years Surrounded by a breathtaking moat you can cross a flagstone drawbridge, under the portcullis and experience a true hidden gem in the heart of the City of Wells. The Bishop’s Palace dates from the early-thirteenth century when Bishop Jocelin Trotman, the first Bishop to hold the title Bishop of Bath and Wells, received a crown licence to build a ..read more

A plant fair being held on Saturday 23rd March at Yeo Valley Organic Garden Visit www.somersethps.com for details ..read more

Acton Court   – Open to the public 31 May to 2 July 2023   –  For more details https://www.actoncourt.com/ NGS openings for June and early July   – For more details https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/ Swift House   – 9 Lyndale Avenue, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, Avon, BS9 IBS & 17-18 June 2023 42 Silver Street   – Midsomer Morton, Radstock, Avon, BA3 2EY 18 June 2023 Mellowstones   – Staples Hill, Freshford, Bath, Avon, BA2 7WL 23 Jun 2023 25 Jun 2023 Hanham Court   – Ferry Road, Hanham Abbots, Bristol, BS15 3NT 24-25 June 2 ..read more

We respectfully remind members that their annual subscription falls due on 1st March. Those of you who pay by Standing Order need take no further action but please ensure that you are set up to pay into our Lloyds account (details below) as we switched from HSBC last year. You may also pay by Bank Transfer (use your name as reference) or cheque/cash at the AGM or subsequent meeting. Cheques can be posted to our membership secretary, Annie Esler, Well Cottage, Streamcross, Claverham, BS49 4QD. Fees due are single membership £18, couples at same address £25. Account details:- Fagus, 30-99-50, 41 ..read more

On 17th January 2022 we held a Zoom lecture with Katherine Crouch, entitled ‘New Tricks for Old Gardeners’‘New Tricks for Old Gardeners’’. Katherine presented us with ideas of styles of garden and kinds of plants suitable for low maintenance and retirement gardening, followed by a demonstration of tools and techniques. Her Husband is entirely to blame for persuading and encouraging her to enter the BBC Gardener of the Year 1999 competition and she won the title in September of that year.  Since then, she has combined her design training with twenty years of gardening experience to st ..read more

The Fagus meeting scheduled to be held in the Methodist Hall on Monday 19th September will be held as arranged commencing at 8.00pm. The subject will be ‘What makes a great Head Gardener’ with Ambra Edwards There will be a tribute given by the Chairman and a 2 minute silence held at the beginning of the evening in respect of our late Queen Elizabeth II. Tickets will be available at the meeting for our Special Lecture to be held on 21st November 2022 commencing at 8.00pm. The speaker will be Chris Beardshaw who will talk of ‘Painting with Plants’ Tickets are priced at £6.00 for members, £10.00 ..read more

On 18 October, Margie Hoffnung gave us a fascinating insight into that great British pastime of garden visiting in Britain. Filled with anecdotes and humour, Margie led us through all types of gardens, parks and historic settings that we enjoy. Margie completed a 4 year Horticulture Degree at Writtle College, after working at Westonbirt Arboretum. Her sandwich placement was with Rosemary Verey, the well-known plantswoman, author and garden designer, with whom she continued to work for over a decade until Rosemary’s death. She also spent some years at Highgrove as both gardener and garden guide ..read more

The renown writer and broadcaster Anna Pavord was our special speaker in November. She gave an interesting lecture on partner plants that gave colour and pattern year round. With many anecdotes and references to Christopher Lloyd, she inspired with her ideas of how to keep colour in a garden year round. Anna Pavord’s books include her bestseller, The Tulip, The Naming of Names and her most recent work, Landskipping. Her column in the Independent newspaper ran for 30 years from the paper’s launch in 1986 until the paper’s last print edition. She now contributes to the Sunday Times and is an Ass ..read more

Fagus have resumed live lectures at the Methodist Hall, Nailsea. The decision to restart is based on a number of factors. Members will be double vaccinated, the Hall is open for church services and we can can be mindful of being careful about the virus, both for members and our speakers. Chairs will be spaced further apart and the roof vents open (unless raining) and we ask please that members sanitise as they enter and wear a mask moving around the hall until they are seated (unless exempt). This seems to be good practice currently in theatres etc. and we can review it later. Meetings will be ..read more

On 20 September 2021, Andrew Cannell, Head Gardener at the American Museum & Gardens gave us an interesting live lecture talking of the transformation of The American Gardens in Claverton. In 2018 the American Museum & Gardens completely remodelled its grounds offering its visitors unique insights into American horticulture and landscape design.  Visitors can walk in the footsteps of George Washington in his updated and revamped Upper Garden which is now a more authentic representation of his 1799 colonial garden.  They can also enjoy something contemporary in the New America ..read more