Our October meeting was on the finals night of “Bake Off” – what a challenge – but we had Jim Buttress on our side and we more than held our own! Between 60 and 70 members came along to hear Jim speak about his “65 years in horticulture” and what a great hour it was. No slides, just Jim talking about his earliest life starting gardening with his Dad – that’s how I started out – through smallholdings, nurseries until he managed to get accepted at Wisley for a two year course. He learnt a great deal in those two years, including organising all the football/cricket matches, social events and generally having a good time! He failed the exams by 1% but the Wisley Director at that time did think that Jim would succeed in anything he turned his hand to – how right he was. Jim had many jobs before he became Superintendent of the Royal Parks, a job he held for 25 years. There is no stopping Jim and he now spends his time travelling around the country giving talks and lectures, judging, and giving of his knowledge to the many of us who ask. He was for many years the Chief Judge on the Britain in Bloom competition and of course there was the “The Big Allotment Challenge” on the T.V.
Jim has received many accolades from the Horticultural world. He is an Associate of the Royal Horticultural Society and a Fellow of the Institute of Horticulture. In 2006 he was awarded the prestigious Victoria Medal of Honour from the R.H.S. Jim also finds time to be gardener/mentor to another friend of Godstone Gardeners – Tom Hart Dyke at Lullingstone. “Fantastic plant knowledge” says Jim, “Hasn’t a clue about gardening”. Tom calls him “Jimmers” and they have a very happy time together. At a recent opening at Lullingstone, Jim donned a high viz jacket and did car parking duties, organising the visitors. Tom hadn’t thought to get someone. One of the visitors did recognise Jim and thought he was “resting” in between getting another “acting” job!
So there you have it – another super evening – Steve Bradley who is coming on the 4th November has a class act to follow. We will make him just as welcome as he comes to speak on “The Autumn and Winter Garden”. White Hart Barn, 7.30 for 8.00p.m. Visitors £2.