Subject: Date for the Diary GHSS Lecture on Gertrude Jekyll by Prof Michael
Tooley RBGE Thursday 10th December

A reminder of the last GHSS event of 2010.
We are delighted that Professor Michael Tooley has agreed to talk about
"Gertrude Jekyll: artist, gardener, craftswoman". He says of Gertrude Jekyll
(1843-1932) that she has been described as one of the greatest gardeners
that has ever lived, and more than seventy five years after her death her
ideas and practice are as fresh and relevant as they were over a hundred
years ago. As an artist gardener she stands head and shoulders above her
peers and those who followed her. She opined that , the first purpose of a
garden is to be a place of quiet beauty such as will give delight to the
eye and repose and refreshment to the mind, and achieved this by applying
six 'principles' of garden design. So successful were they that clients
flocked to seek her advice. She designed over 400 gardens, many in
association with the most distinguished architects of the day, such as Sir
Robert Lorimer, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Oliver Hill.

In this lecture, her early life and influences will be treated, her
principles of garden design outlined and examples given of gardens in
Scotland, England and overseas. Michael will have copies of his book about
Gertrude Jekyll and her work available for sale at the lecture.

The lecture will take place in the lecture theatre at the Royal Botanic
Garden Edinburgh on Thursday 10th December at 7.30pm in collaboration with
the Friends of the RBGE. Tickets can be obtained from the Members Office,
RBGE, 20 Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, 0131 552 5339. Members £3 and
non-members £5. Please make cheques payable to RBGE. Tickets will be
available at the door on the night if any remain unsold.