We are delighted that Dr Peter Herring will be our guest speaker at our Annual General Meeting next month. Peter has volunteered at Winkworth Arboretum for over 30 years and is a self-confessed 'tree nerd'. His illustrated talk is entitled Winkworth Arboretum: The Legacy of a Remarkable Man.
The arboretum is the brainchild and creation of Dr Wilfrid Fox, who lived in Hascombe for over 40 years. He was an eminent consultant at St George’s Hospital, and on retirement in 1925 the government asked him to take on the role of secretary of an organisation dedicated to planting roadside trees. In 1937 the Fisher-Rowe estate was put up for sale and he acquired the land of the current arboretum, next to his house Winkworth Farm. Then in his 60s he took two ambulances to France, returning at Dunkirk. From then he dedicated his time to planting the arboretum to enhance the autumn colour of the landscape and ultimately handed it over to the National Trust for safekeeping after his death.
Peter's talk will focus on Dr Fox's life and the development of Winkworth Arboretum, illustrating how his vision came to be realised.
The AGM will be held on 27 October at 7pm at Hascombe Village Hall. Do join us for a glass of wine and some nibbles. Members are free and non-members are most welcome for £5 at the door.
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