Secret Iris Garden features on BBC2

The BBC celebrated another local garden.

Gardeners World – Friday 25 June 8pm on BBC 2 – a local garden with a magnificent iris collection, which was recently rescued and restored by local volunteers Andy Oliver, John Burke and Denis Collman, led by Jon Homan. Details of the project are below.

The collection of irises built up over 45 years by Peter Prowting who passed away in 2018, was probably one of the largest private collections in the UK. Consisting of some 3000 irises and almost 70 different named varieties, it covers 50 flower beds within a walled garden. In order to preserve this fantastic collection it was necessary to lift, divide and replant the entire collection which was done with the help and encouragement of the British Iris Society.

Most of the surplus rhizomes, probably some 10,000, found new homes and as a result of the donations received £4000 was divided between the British Heart Foundation and Stoke Poges, Wexham and Fulmer Horticultural Society who are offering a bursary for a 16 – 25yr old to study horticulture.

It is wonderful to know that Peter’s passion has created a legacy which has spawned new interest in irises with a huge number of people over a very wide area.

The support of the Co-op has been invaluable for recent shows and helps to go towards the cost of the large marquee which is what makes the show unique and traditional.   A big thank you to all those who chose the Society as their charity and to the Co-op for their Community Fund for support during the funding period that has just ended.

Action is needed NOW !    

Co-op members must confirm/reconfirm their choice of charity to receive support for every new period of funding.    The current 12 month funding period has just ended, now is the time to confirm/reconfirm for the coming year.

Co-op members can choose a cause to support by signing into their membership account or calling the membership helpline on – T :  0800 – 023 – 4708.    Or via https://causes.coop.co.uk. But please be sure to nominate our Horticultural Society (Charity Number 283786).    Here’s the unique link for the Society https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/30869    Please sign up, nominate the Society, and ask your family, neighbours and friends to choose us to support the Annual Show.