What’s on

We have a wide range of talks, visits and demonstrations, covering all aspects of gardening, throughout the year.

Doors open at 6:30pm, with the talk starting at 7pm.
Talks are preceded by a glass of wine, soft drinks and canapes with time to chat, buy plants and a raffle ticket.

All meetings are 6:30pm for a 7pm start unless stated otherwise.

2026 Programme

Wednesday 11th February. AGM followed by an Illustrated Talk by Julia Stafford-Allen at 6.30, NGS Joint County Organiser for Norfolk, Julia’s talk is a potted history of garden visiting from Tudor times to the present with an emphasis on the history and foundation of the National Garden Scheme in 1927, AGM 5pm start followed by talk at 6.30, with a break for refreshments at 6pm, Sharrington Village Hall
Wednesday March 18th Jim Paine, formerly of Walnut Tree Nursery “Gardening Closer to Nature: a wilder garden”, a whistle-stop tour, looking at the state of nature globally through to our immediate East Anglian neighbourhood and how we might manage our gardens to give back space for nature and repair our broken relationship with the natural world. Jim will bring along a few plants for members to purchase 6.30 for 7pm, Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall,
Wednesday 15th April, Tim Jennings, RHS Award winning garden designer, https://www.timjenningsdesign.co.uk/ illustrated talk “Naturalistic Planting Design: Designing Gardens That Feel Rooted in Nature” Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall, 6.30 for 7pm
Wednesday 13th May, Sarah Hammond from English Peonies https://www.englishpeonies.co.uk/, Sarah will look at May flowers and what’s currently being grown on the flower farm, followed by a demo using seasonal flowers. 6.30 for 7pm Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall
Wednesday 10th June, private members garden visit to Manor House Farm, Wellingham by kind permission of Robin & Libby Ellis followed by tea and homemade cake, 2.30 start
Thursday 2nd July, private members garden visit to Oulton Hall https://ngs.org.uk/gardens/oulton-hall-nr1/ by kind permission of Bolton Agnew, 2.30 start
Saturday 19th September, Bulb Sale, 10am until 12.30, Sharrington Village Hall
Wednesday 23rd September, Annette Hurt, https://www.mypatchofnorfolk.co.uk/Gardening naturally – changing from chemicals to nature, Annette takes us through the natural, traditional ways of gardening, from no dig to plant food 6.30 for 7pm, Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall
Wednesday 21st October, Dr Chris Gibson, https://www.chrisgibsonwildlife.co.uk/ ecologist, author and advisor on nature conservation, Chris has written numerous books on a wide range of wildlife subjects. Illustrated talk “Gardening with Wildlife in Mind“, 6.30 for 7pm. Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall
Wednesday 11th November, Graham Watts, NGS Joint County Organiser for Norfolk, Illustrated Talk, Hydrangeas & Other Plants at Dale Farm, 6.30 for 7pm, Sharrington Village Hall
Wednesday 2nd December, Pre-Christmas Social, details tbc, Sharrington Village Hall

2025 Programme

Wednesday 5th March, AGM followed by an Illustrated Talk by Professor John Parker, former Director of Cambridge University Botanic Garden, “‘Horticulture, History, Science: Cambridge University Botanic Garden Considered‘” Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall 5.30 pm start with a break for refreshments at 6 pm , followed by the talk
Wednesday 2nd April, “Pruning Through the Seasons“, a welcome return from Bob Coutts, retired head gardener, Somerleyton Hall. A practical demonstration on how to prune your shrubs, roses, and trees throughout the year, Bob will also take us through the best tools to use for the job, followed by a Q & A session. 6.30 for 7 pm Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall
Wednesday 7th May, Members early evening farm visit to Copy’s Green Farm in Wighton, the home of Mrs Temple’s Cheese, by kind invitation of Catherine & Stephen Temple, 6 pm start, followed by cheese, wine and soft drinks. Numbers limited to 35, tickets £10.00, all proceeds to Farm Africa https://www.farmafrica.org/ Please note this event is now fully booked
Wednesday 18th June, members afternoon visit to Dale Farm, Dereham https://ngs.org.uk/gardens/dale-farm-nr19/ followed by tea and cake, 2.30 start, £12.00 members to include tea. Numbers by early June please
Wednesday 9th July, private members evening visit to Severals Grange, https://ngs.org.uk/gardens/severals-grange-nr20/ Wood Norton with a glass of wine and refreshments. 6.30 start. £10.00 members.
Wednesday 10th September, Illustrated Talk, Gwenda Kyd, chemist and Bach flower remedy practitioner, “Twelve Tremendous Trees“, 6.30 for 7 pm. Field Dalling Villagers Hall
Wednesday 1st October, Johnnie Walker formerly of Taylors Bulbs and holder of 24 consecutive Chelsea Gold medals. Illustrated Talk The A-Z of Bulbs. Johnny will bring along a selection of bulbs for members to purchase from https://taylors-bulbs.com/johnny-walkers-25th-anniversary/
Wednesday 29th October, Hugh & Fiona from English Country Life https://englishcountrylife.com/, Illustrated talk “How to preserve your own produce!” a fun topic for gardeners, cooks, the ecologically conscious or anyone who wants to make the worlds best bacon! With their own YouTube channel, Hugh & Fiona are passionate about growing, harvesting and preserving their own food. 6.30 for 7 pm, Sharrington Village Hall
Wednesday 3rd December, a welcome return from Tim Fuller of The Plantsman’s Preference, illustrated talk “New, Rare and Unusual Perennials” Tim will take a look at some of the newer introductions and their place in the garden and how they might be used, Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall. Tim will bring plants from his nursery https://www.plantpref.co.uk/ 6.30 for 7pm, Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall

2024 Programme

Wednesday 21st February, AGM followed by Illustrated Talk, “The Hedgehog in Your Garden” Janet Smith, Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall, 5.30 start with a break for refreshments at 6.30
Wednesday 13th March, Simon White, Sales Manager Peter Beales Roses, illustrated talk Climbers & Ramblers for every situation, Simon will be bringing plants and sundries. Field Dalling Villagers Hall, 6.30 for 7pm
Wednesday April 10th, Members Visit to Chestnut Farm, West Beckham, by kind permission of Judy Wilson, with tea and cake, 2.30 pm. £8.00 members and guests to include tea, coffee and cake. Deadline for tickets Friday 5th April
Wednesday 1st May, Dr Twigs Way, illustrated talk, “Poison in the borders, death in the beds” from dead man’s gloves to monkshood, our gardens are dangerous places, Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall, 6.30 for 7pm
Wednesday 22nd May, illustrated talk “Growing vegetables in small spaces” Pauline Harper – everyone can grow vegetables whatever the size of their plot, Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall, 6.30 for 7
Wednesday 12th June, Private Evening Visit to Buffy’s Peonies at Erpingham, by kind permission of Buffy Wilcox. Prosecco and nibbles followed by a talk and tour of the flower fields. This members only event is strictly limited to 35. 6.pm start. £10.00 per person to include a glass of prosecco and nibbles
Wednesday July 3rd afternoon visit to Blickling Lodge, Nr Aylsham. by kind permission of Michael & Henrietta Lindsell. Cold drinks and cake in the walled garden. £10.00 members, £12.00 guests to include refreshments
Wednesday 11th September, Illustrated Talk, Martin Woods, ex Head Gardener Sandringham, “Sandringham then and now”. Martin’s talk will include the recent changes to the gardens. Field Dalling Villagers’ Hall, 6.30 for 7pm, Non members £6.00 to include a glass of wine or soft drink
Saturday 5th October, Big Plant Swop, Sharrington Village Hall, 10.30 to 12.30
Thursday 17th October, Nick Bailey, “365 Days of Colour”. Plantsman, designer, gardener, former head gardener of the Chelsea Physic Garden and BBC Gardeners World regular since 2017, Nick will also be signing copies of his book based on his talk. Binham Memorial Hall, 6.30 for 7 pm, £12.00 members, £14.00 non members & guests to include a glass of wine or soft drink and refreshments. Please note there are very few tickets remaining for this event, please contact us direct if you wish to come along, payment in advance please
Wednesday 13th November, illustrated talk “What stimulates plants to flower and how do they do it?”. Field Dalling Villagers Hall 6.30 for 7pm

2023 Programme

March, Wednesday 1st, members visit to Jane Anne Walton’s snowdrop garden with refreshments. time tbc
March, Wednesday 22nd, AGM followed by an illustrated talk and hands on demo by Bob Coutts, ex head gardener Somerleyton Hall www.somerleyton.co.uk “Gardening for Spring”, Sharrington Village Hall, 6pm start
April, Wednesday 12th, John Everett, Master Beekeeper “Honey Bees, Bumble Bees and Solitary Bees, their role in the garden as pollinators and reproducers”. John’s talk will be illustrated with slides of plants that bees love to visit in his garden. He will bring honey for sale from his Apiary www.applebeeorchard.co.uk. 6.30 for 7pm, Sharrington Village Hall
May, Wednesday 3rd, Barbara Segall, writer and NGS county team member illustrated talk “The Secret Gardens of the South East”, Field Dalling Villagers Hall. 6.30 for 7pm
June, Wednesday 14th, members only outing to Fiddian’s Follies https://fiddiansfollies.uk/ at Upwood Farm, Nr Cromer. A wonderful and quirky garden, one not to be missed. 2 pm followed by tea. Cost is £9.00 including tea and cake. Numbers are limited please book your place by 1st June
July, Wednesday 5th, members only outing to Salle Park for a private tour with head gardener Tom Barwick, Followed by tea and cake in The Orangery, 2pm start. Cost is £10.00 including tea and cake. Numbers are limited please book your place by 21st June
September, Saturday 16th, Bulb Sale & Big Plant Swop, Field Dalling Villagers Hall, 10am until 1pm
October, Wednesday 4th, Geoff Hodge, “Gardening in Dry & Drought Conditions“, Field Dalling Villagers Hall, 6.30 for 7pm
November, Wednesday 8th, Tim Fuller from The Plantsmen’s Preference https://www.plantpref.co.uk/ “Gardening with Grasses“. Tim will bring along plants from his nursery and also any pre-ordered plants. Field Dalling Villagers Hall, 6.30 for 7pm
December, Wednesday 6th, Christmas Social, details to follow

2022 Programme

Wednesday 16^th February, AGM followed by afternoon tea and a quiz, 3pm, Sharrington Village Hall
Wednesday 9th March, Peter Skeggs Gooch, Thorncroft Clematis “Clematis, the what, the how, the where …..” Field Dalling Villagers Hall
Wednesday 20th April, Jim Paine, Walnut Tree Nursery “The Secret Life of Plants” Field Dalling Villagers Hall. Plants for sale.
Wednesday 18^th May, Members outing to Raveningham Hall Gardens, 12 noon start with tea
Wednesday 15^th June, Evening Wildflower Walk with Dr Tony Leech, Spout Hill, Holt, meet in the layby for a 6pm start
Tuesday 19^th July, Garden Safari to Brinton to view members gardens followed by Afternoon Tea at Brinton Hall, 2.30 pm start
Wednesday 21^st September, Dr Twigs Way, Garden Historian, illustrated talk “The role of Women in the Garden, from Vita Sackville West to Beth Chatto”, Field Dalling Villagers Hall
Wednesday 5th October, Dr Ian Bedford ‘Companion Planting for a Balanced Garden’, Field Dalling Villagers Hall
Wednesday 16^th November, Sarah Hammond from English Garden Peonies, demonstration, making a sustainable mossed wreath using foliage and fresh flowers from Sarah’s garden, Field Dalling Villagers Hall, 6.30 for 7pm
Wednesday 11th February AGM followed by talk on the NGS by Julia, Stafford Smith Joint County Organiser for Norfolk, 4.30 start followed by the talk at 6.30, Sharrington Village Hall

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