THE GARDEN Tuesday 21 June 2011 HISTORY SOCIETY GILBERT WHITE’S GARDEN Registered Charity, No. 1053446 Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England and Wales, No. 3163187 The Reverend Gilbert White (1720-1793), author of The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, who has been described as the founding father of modern scientific recording, spent most of his life in Selborne, Hampshire. He was a pioneer in his appreciation of the interdependence of animals and plants in nature and this book, which has never been out of print since first published, influenced many, including Charles Darwin. The garden of over 20 acres, well recorded by White, has been largely restored to its 18th century form, under the guidance of Kim Wilkie and with a lot of input from the Head Gardener, David Standing, to include features described by White and plants grown at that time. It includes ‘Six Quarters’, ornamental ‘basons’, a wild flower garden and vegetable plot, as well as a miniature landscape garden. Selborne Church has a stained glass window dedicated to White in 1993 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his death. There is a path called the Zig Zag, created by White, which rises steeply to the beech hanger above Selborne, where once there were two hermitages. Gilbert White’s house, The Wakes, also contains the Oates Museum, dedicated to the exploits of the Oates family, particularly the Victorian explorer, Frank Oates, and his nephew, Captain Lawrence Oates, one of Scott’s team to the South Pole in 1911. In the morning David Standing will take two separate groups around the gardens and there will be time to visit the house and to look at the Oates Museum. After lunch for those who feel energetic Chris Webb from the National Trust, will take a group up the Zig Zag and on to Selborne Common. This is a steep climb and stout footwear is necessary. For those who would prefer to explore the village, suggested routes will be given on the day. The timetable for the visit will be as follows: 10.30 pm Arrive, coffee/tea. 11.00 pm First tour of garden for 1 hour. 12.00 pm Second tour of garden for 1 hour. For those not on the garden tour, there is Gilbert White’s house, as well as the Oates Museum, to see, or the local church with a stained glass window in memory of Gilbert White. 12.30-2.15 pm Lunch. Those on the first tour will have lunch first as the restaurant has limited space. 2.45 pm Climb up the Zig Zag with Chris Webb from NT, or walk round village, introduced by David Standing. Practicalities The cost for the day will be £30 for members of the GHS and members of Hampshire Gardens Trust and £35 for non members. Afternoon tea is not included in cost but available. If you are travelling by public transport, the following train services arrive at Alton (approximately 4 miles from Selborne): Depart London Waterloo 8.53 (full fare) 9.23 (off peak) Arrive Alton 10.10 10.37 A taxi for up to six people costs approximately £12.00 (this price could be subject to change). If you would like to go, please complete the attached booking form and return, together with your cheque made payable to The Garden History Society, to The Garden History Society, 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ (please mark the envelope ‘Gilbert White’ and include a stamped self-addressed envelope if you do not want your receipt sent by email). For further information, please contact Ruth Brownlow, email [email protected] home telephone 020 7607 5256 BOOKING FORM Gilbert White’s Garden, Selborne Name …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Address ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………… Post code …………………………………............ Telephone No ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Mobile Phone No …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Email address: ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Please reserve for me …… places @ £30 for members of The GHS and Hampshire Gardens Trust …… places @ £35 for non members Names of other participants ………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. I will be travelling on the 8.53 am train that arrives at Alton at 9.23 Yes / No I will be travelling on the 10.10 am train that arrives at Alton at 10.37 Yes / No I will be arriving by car Yes / No I enclose a cheque for £………………………... Please email me my receipt Yes / No I enclose a stamped self addressed envelope for the receipt Yes / No Please return this form to: The Garden History Society, 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ (marking the envelope ‘Gilbert White’) .