A talk by Julia Shelley, who may be a familiar face to anyone who has turned up at a Parish Council meeting!

As one of the largest archives dedicated to this field, Borde Hill’s collection offers a rare glimpse into the world of early plant hunting and horticultural exploration. It’s one of the most significant collections of its kind in the country, with over 75,000 historical records documenting the stories and correspondence behind plant hunters’ expeditions of the early 1900s. It provides insights into the pioneering work of the explorers, capturing the excitement and discoveries that helped shape the development of horticulture. Beyond being a treasure trove of historical letters and records, the archive also shows the impact these expeditions had on plant science and garden design.