Neil Cook, head gardener at Hanbury Hall, gave a detailed history accompanied with slides of the wonderful estate at the October meeting.

In 1701 the William and Mary-style country house had been designed by William Rudhall and built by Thomas Vernon (1654-1721), a wealthy Chancery lawyer and an MP for Worcester. Over the years, the house and gardens had seen many changes.

Hanbury was passed over to the National Trust in 1953. Since then there have been many improvements to restore it to its former glory. In 2010 recent renovations were carried out on the impressive ceiling and wall paintings by Sir James Thornhill, the staircase, the Hercule Rooms, Gothic Corridor and fireplaces. Genuine photographs of ancestors are now on display.

Not much remains of the original garden. In 1993 work first started on the intricate parterre by studying old photos, maps and original plans in detail. Archaologists took soil samples and pollen samples.

The gardeners moved three feet of clay, used 24,000 bricks for walls, planted 1,000 box plants and lavenders and stocks etc. to restore ‘The Jewel in the Crown’ at Hanbury.

The 17th century orangery was a later addition to the buildings. It has a heated flu system for the oranges and lemons. The mushroom house with three slated beds is still used for the mushrooms and rhubarb is specially grown for the ‘Rhubarb Ice Cream’. The walled garden provides vegetables and fruit, the greenhouse provides salad crops, courgettes and marrows. There is also wide range of fruit trees in the orchard including a Worcester Black Pear, bee hives for the honey and organic chickens for the eggs. All the produce is used in the kitchen and served in the tea rooms.

One of the favourite projects is the Bowling Green. This slopes away from the house but is tended with great love and care by the gardeners who have manicured the green grass.

Members thoroughly enjoyed Neil's fascinating talk and wonderful slides.

He is dedicated and experienced in his work and proud of his achievements.

‘Dandy’ and comedy duo Glynnis and Allan, old friends who have a unique brand of Black Country humour, helped create a happy atmosphere at the harvest supper.

They created a warm rapport with their audience and soon had everyone in stitches with their jokes, stories and observations.

Members enjoyed a wonderful roast dinner and choice of desserts once again with the Clockhouse cooks from Tenbury Wells. There were more than 60 prizes for the raffle generously donated by members..

On Wednesday, November 20, there will be a change to the programme with David Morgan, NGS organiser, the speaker, not Judy Berrows.