Description
About the Venue:
The venue will be the historic terraced gardens at St John’s College and St Cuthbert’s Society, Durham University, within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As one of Durham University’s oldest and largest colleges, St Cuthbert’s has a rich and distinctive history. Founded in 1888 as an association of students, the Society now comprises around 1,400 undergraduate and postgraduate students, based in the historic Peninsula of Durham city centre.
About the Tutor:
Ross Pearson is a leading horticulturist based in Northumberland, with a deep-rooted passion for the outdoors and an enduring love for gardening. Ross was First Gardener at the renowned Alnwick Garden, and has since worked in education as a Lecturer in Horticulture at Northumberland College and Durham University St John’s College, and is a respected national freelance garden writer.
About the Workshop:
This immersive one-day Workshop explores the art and science of gardening within historic landscapes. Historic gardens tell a story through plants, layout, structures and patterns of use, and caring for them requires a blend of horticultural skill, historical understanding, legal awareness and public-minded stewardship. This Workshop will equip participants with both the conceptual frameworks and hands-on skills essential to sensitive work in heritage garden settings, especially those within protected sites such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Through a morning of interactive theory and discussion, participants will learn how to recognise historic garden features, understand the legal frameworks and sensitivities involved, and develop approaches that respect both plant and cultural heritage. The afternoon will be spent working hands-on in the historic terraced gardens at St John’s College and St Cuthbert’s Society, Durham University (located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site), applying these principles to practical restoration work.
This Workshop is ideal for gardeners, volunteers, landscape professionals and heritage enthusiasts eager to deepen their skills in sensitive, informed practice.
Timings:
9.00am – 5.00pm
Food/Drink:
Tea, coffee, water, cake, biscuits and lunch are included.
Please Bring:
Attendees should be suitably dressed for outdoor hands-on gardening work, and should bring secateurs, gloves and study materials.
Cost:
Members: £60 | Non-members £80
Tickets:
Your event ticket will be emailed to you once we complete your booking, and a copy can be found in your Working for Gardeners account in the ‘Tickets’ section.
Please Note: Tickets are non-transferable.
Booking Cancellations:
Please read our Terms & Conditions for important information relating to booking cancellations.
