1 October 2016

EBTS 20th Anniversary Party

In 1996 the inaugural meeting of EBTS was held at Dorney Court near Windsor, 20 years on we celebrated the societies achievements in NW Hampshire. There was a full day of talks, music, good food and most of all great company of founding friends to new members.

Roger Last gave a talk entitled ‘A photographic journey through Gardens’ showing some of the gardens EBTS has visited over the last 20 years and some interesting shots of member in the gardens. Bruce Ginsberg explained the history of how the garden had developed and later gave a talk on “Topiary Humour and Fantasy – an ongoing historical amusement” with Julian Treyer-Evans ending the day with some comic topiary pictures and words.

There were also guest appearances by Honorary Member Sir Roy Strong and Dr James Bartos of the Garden History Society.

We were also delighted that Elizabeth Braimbridge was able to join us. With her husband Mark (who was sadly to ill to attend) they had the initial idea of setting up a society to promote boxwood so we are greatly indebted to them and wish Mark all the best with his recovery.

: Mark Hopkins welcomes everyone

: Roger Last presents a 'Photographic journey through gardens'

: Honorary Member Sir Roy Strong

: There was a performance by some of the London International Orchestra

: Gerogia Ginsberg sang

: Founding member Sarah Aaronson OBE performed

: Lunch was by Romaine Alinot

: Founder Elizabeth Braimbridge

: Charlotte Molesworth with Mark Hopkins

: Karel Goossens from EBTS Belgium

: Rosemary Alexander

: Simon Rose

: Sarah Aaronson OBE performed with Russian Balalaika player Bibs Ekkel

: Dr James Bartos of the Garden History Society

: Bruce Ginsberg

: Julian Treyer-Evans

We don’t normally do the ‘Hello’ magazine bit of showing lots of pictures of people on the website, but on this occasion we were celebrating both the achievements of promoting boxwood & topiary and also the wonderful friendships it has inspired.

The party was attended by around 80 members past and present and before a delightful lunch by french Chef Romaine Alinat and his team the weather relented so we could all enjoy the stunning gardens.