Press Release
Kew Winter Lecture Series - Heritage at Kew: Past and Present
18 October 2002 - 28 March 2003 at the Jodrell Lecture Theatre, Kew Gardens
For release 3 October 2002
Earlier this year, Kew Gardens was nominated for World Heritage Site status.
The new Winter Lecture Series takes the opportunity of exploring Kew's
rich history and the landscape, plant collections and buildings, which
have contributed to the Gardens‚ nomination to join other World Heritage
Sites including the Tower of London and Hadrian's Wall. The result of
the nomination is expected in 2003.
History of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Friday 18 October 2002
Laura Ponsonby, a regular lecturer at Kew, traces the Gardens‚ 250
year history, from its beginnings as two separate Royal estates to its
role as the most famous botanic gardens in the world. During her lecture
she explores the influence of botanist and explorer Joseph Banks and early
directors William and Joseph Hooker, and looks at how they helped shape
Kew's destiny.
The Preserved Plant and Illustrations Collections at Kew, Friday 29
November 2002
Dr Phil Cribb, Assistant Curator of the Herbarium at Kew, speaks about
the origins of the unrivalled preserved plant and illustration collections
at Kew, which includes over 6 million dried specimens. In an illustrated
talk, he explains how plants are collected and identified by Kew experts
and outlines the importance of the collections for scientists and botanists
around the world today.
Simple Enchantments:The Royal Gardeners and the Landscapes of Kew,
Friday 31 January 2003
Dr Hazel Conway works as a professional landscape historian. Her talk
focuses on designers like William Nesfield and William Chambers who shaped
the landscape of Kew. Nesfield was responsible for many of the Vistas
at Kew while Chambers designed 25 buildings in the Gardens, including
the Pagoda.
Kew Palace Uncovered, Friday 28 February 2003
Jo Thwaites, of Historic Royal Palaces, discusses the restoration project
for Kew Palace. The smallest Royal Palace, also know as the Dutch House,
was built around 1631 and came into Royal ownership in 1781. Kew became
the family's summer residence throughout the end of the 18th and early
19th Centuries and George III retreated here during his bouts of insanity.
During her talk, she presents the latest news on the restoration of this
Scheduled Ancient Monument.
New Discoveries at Royal Kew, Friday 28 March 2003
Jonathon Foyle, Assistant Curator Hampton Court and Kew Palace, can be
seen on TV screens early in the new year on Channel Four‚s Time Team
filmed at Kew. Here he outlines the programme‚s findings during their
archaeological excavations and shows his own research into the site of
the White House, demolished by George III in 1802. He describes how the
excavation trenches helped pinpoint the exact location and plan of the
building and what new treasures and clues were found.
The Winter Lecture Series is supported by the Dr.H.Shawdon Charitable
Trust.
The Jodrell Lecture Theatre, Kew Gardens (entry on Kew Road). Doors open
at 6.30pm. Lectures commence at 7.00pm.
Tickets: £4 each (£3 Senior Citizens, Friends of Kew, Students,
UB40's)
Season Tickets: £16 (£12 Senior Citizens, Friends of Kew,
Students, UB40's)
Tickets are available from the Kew Shop, located at the Victoria Gate
Centre, or by post (enclosing an S.A.E) to:
Kew Winter Lecture Series, Finance Section, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew,
Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB.
Cheques should be made payable to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
For Winter Lecture credit card bookings and enquiries please telephone:
020 8332 5626 or send a fax to: 020 8332 5640. Email: adulted@rbgkew.org.uk
Further Information (press only): telephone Hannah Rogers or Claire Hyde
on 020 8322 5607/5619 or email pr@kew.org.uk
For further Press information please contact:
|
Kew: Public Relations Tel: +44 (0)20 8332 5607/5619 |
Wakehurst Place: Public Relations Tel: +44 (0)1444 894018 |
