Mark Johnston will speak of his 50 years as an independent scholar in the greenspace industry. He is the author of 'Street Trees in Britain , A History' 2022, among other works. He will reference the detail covered in his recently published book.
he Northern Ireland Heritage Gardens Trust recently held a very successful conference at the Woodenbridge Hotel, Co Wicklow, when over a hundred delegates from Ireland and Great Britain enjoyed a programme of talks about The Role of Water in Historic Garden Design and Management.
Christy gave our Spring Lecture earlier this year, giving us a foretaste of what was to come, and, for those also attending our conference next week, there will be a number of the books available to buy as well as an opportunity to speak to the author.
Originally fromBelfast, Michael started his career at a nursery in Templepatrick, gaining experience before studying Horticulture at Greenmount College. He then joined the National Trust and spent the next three years at one of County Downs Great Gardens-Mount Stewart, mentored by then Head Gardener, Nigel Marshall.
Michael subsequently moved to the mainland where he has worked in a number of great gardens including Powis Castle, Harewood House, Waddesdon Manor, and for the past 8 years as Garden and Estates Manager overseeing the revival of the gardens of the Trentham Estate – winner in 2010 of the European Gardens Heritage Network Award.
The Talk considers the revival of an important 18th and 19th Century garden and estate, but one which has been given a contemporary dimension with vast perennial displays by leading designers Tom Stuart-Smith and Piet Oudolf. Michael will discuss the unique ingredients they have incorporated into the gardens recreation to appeal to all of its visitors.
Trentham is a commercial success, in 2011 the estate attracted 3.25 million visitors with 400,000 paying to visit the gardens.
