Description
About the Venue:
Ashburnham Place is set in 220 acres of ancient woodland (which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)), ornamental gardens and serpentine lakes originally set out by Lancelot Capability Brown. It is home to a serving community of Christians from many traditions. The gardens are cared for using sustainable gardening principles and are home to rare wildlife, wildflowers and birds. The gardens include a mixture of formal and informal herbaceous borders, historic garden features, a Prayer Garden with Wisteria Walk and greenhouse, kitchen gardens with fruit orchard and a café with a newly renovated Orangery.
About the Tutor:
Simon Joynes became a garden volunteer at Ashburnham Place in 2021 after a long career in public service. He started retraining as a gardener in 2022, completing a Working for Gardeners WRAG Scheme placement at Fairlight Hall near Hastings. He is RHS L2-trained and has a BSc degree in Biodiversity & Conservation. After working as Assistant Kitchen Gardener in 2024 he took up the post of Ornamental Gardens Manager at Ashburnham Place in April 2025. He has an amazing team of volunteer gardeners and supervises a WRAG Scheme Trainee.
About the Practical Skills Day:
This practical skills day will cover the winter pruning of climbing and rambling roses. We will have an introduction from Simon, followed by a demonstration of some pruning techniques. We will then get to work on the roses!
Timings:
Start: 10.00am
Ends: 3:30pm approx.
Refreshments:
Tea, coffee and water, plus a complimentary hot lunch, will be provided.
Please Bring:
Clean and sharp secateurs, plus loppers and pruning saw (if you have them), suitable footwear, eye protection and gloves for pruning (venue can provide gauntlets if necessary). Warm layers of clothing and wet weather gear if necessary. The Front Terrace is exposed and it can be cold outside in January!
Costs:
Members £55
Important Booking Information:
- If you do not receive your emailed event ticket within 5 days of booking and paying for your place, in the first instance please check your junk folder prior to contacting us at [email protected]. Your ticket will be emailed to the email address that you supply at the time of booking.
- Use the ‘Add to Calendar’ option in your email ticket so that you don’t miss a booked event.
- Standard Cancellation Policy (copy available here): A 50% refund is applicable for event ticket cancellations up to and including 15 days before an event. If you cancel your attendance on an event within 14 days, no refund will be given.
