A talk by Baron Cavendish of Furness, presented by the Royal Oak Foundation as part of its Seeds for Thought series.
"A Time to Plant: Life and Gardening at Holker" is co-sponsored by the Garden Conservancy.
About the talk
Holker Hall, a neo-Elizabethan stately home in Cumbria, has a rich history dating back to the 16th century. The estate’s ancient park and woodland were originally part of a 16th-century priory that was passed down through various landed gentry before coming to the Cavendish family in 1756. Holker boasts 200 acres of “natural” parkland planted in the late 18th century by Lord George Augustus Cavendish, as well as woodlands and formal gardens.
Today, Holker is run by Hugh Cavendish, Baron Cavendish of Furness, who inherited the estate in 1972 as it was grappling with post-war debt and deprivation. Like his ancestors, Lord Cavendish and his wife Grania have been passionate gardeners and dedicated themselves to begin the garden’s first real enhancement in over 100 years. They swept away the 19th-century formal design by Thomas Hayton Mawson in favor of a naturalized plan and revitalized Holker’s extensive grounds with imaginative ideas like a new wildflower meadow, Sunken Garden, Neptune Cascade, and Labyrinth. Lord and Lady Cavendish were very much inspired by the planting legacy begun by their family, including Lord Cavendish’s grandmother Lady Moyra Cavendish. Projects and designs also were influenced by ideas and cuttings from gardening friends such as Arabella Lennox-Boyd.
Bold and radical in their approach, Lord and Lady Cavendish have refreshed and built on Holker’s plant collection—which now includes the National Collection of rare Styracacae trees, or silverbells. They have ensured the survival of relics of Holker’s gardening history—common sheep laurel from North America bearing its ancient lead label from 1736—while incorporating new plants, flowers, and rare trees such as the Chinese tree Emmenopterys henryi. In this illustrated lecture, Lord Cavendish reflects on his 40 years at Holker and the people and experiences that have influenced his passion for horticulture and his gardening ideas. This lecture, which is based on his book A Time to Plant: Life and Gardening at Holker, explores the history and evolution not only of an incredible garden but also the vision and legacy of its owners.
About the speaker
Hugh Cavendish, Baron Cavendish of Furness, was brought up at Holker Hall, in Cumbria, an estate he inherited in his early thirties. The surrounding 18,000 acres that have been the main preoccupation of his working life make up an estate that is more varied than most and includes working slate quarries and a racecourse. Lord Cavendish was a member of Cumbria County Council and was made a life peer by Margaret Thatcher in 1990. He served as a Government Whip and spokesman for energy in the House of Lords from 1990 to 1992. He was High Sheriff of Cumbria and is a Deputy Lieutenant. Lord Cavendish was a founder of St. Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston and relinquished its chairmanship in 2011. He is currently president of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain.
About Seeds for Thought
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This year's Seeds for Thought lectures benefit the UK National Trust's Stourhead Appeal. Stourhead in Wiltshire is foremost among the most beautiful and historically significant landscape gardens in the world. In 2014, Royal Oak will be supporting the National Trust’s conservation priorities for the gardens at this property.
Date and time
Thursday, April 17
11 a.m. Coffee
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11:30 Lecture
12:30 p.m. Luncheon
Location
The Onwentsia Club
300 N. Green Bay Road
Lake Forest, IL
Map and directions
Formal business attire required.
Admission
Lecture and coffee:
$45 members of Royal Oak and Garden Conservancy (To obtain the discount code, Garden Conservancy members should call our office at 845.424.6500.)
$55 non-members
Lecture and lunch:
$85 members of Royal Oak and Garden Conservancy (To obtain the discount code, Garden Conservancy members should call our office at 845.424.6500.)
$95 non-members
Reservations should be made online at www.royal-oak.org/lectures or by calling Royal Oak at 800.913.6565, ext. 201
Reservations are nonrefundable and must be made by April 7.
Co-sponsors
The Royal Oak Foundation and Garden Conservancy
