Wednesday 16th October 2.30pm in the library
This illustrated talk by Heather Williams combines her keen interest in both horticulture and history.
The Tradescants worked for some of the most powerful men in England and they were all men. John Tradescant the elder was born in 1570 and his son died in 1662 so they covered between them a very exciting period of British history. Both travelled widely, as far east as Russia and as far west as Virginia collecting rare bulbs and seeds of plants. Among the seeds brought back to introduce to English gardens were great American trees including magnolias, bald cypress and tulip tree, and garden plants such as phlox and asters.
Their adventures included possible spying, encounters with wars and pirates and using their collection of ‘curiosities’ running the first museum open to all for payment of a small fee.
Before moving to Church Stretton Heather was Chair of the South West Shropshire Historical Society, and more recently she was Chair of the Shropshire branch of the Hardy Plant Society.
Admission £5.00 payable on the day