Origins

Mavis Batey’s 90th birthday celebration (May 2011) at Petworth, one of her first campaigns after her appointment as GHS Secretary.  Photo: Steffie Shields

Speaker: Michael Dawson

The Gardens Trust has experienced a dynamic evolution since its origins in the Garden History Society which was launched in 1965. Concern over conservation of nationally important sites quickly became a priority, and following the appointment of Mavis Batey as Honorary Secretary in 1972, the Society changed gear. Involvement in planning evolved into a vigorous and sustained campaign for statutory protection of historic parks and gardens and the eventual creation of the Register of Gardens and Parks of Special Historic Interest. And that was just the beginning.

Survey and research were, and still are, a vital means to understanding both individual sites and historic landscapes as a whole, and from the medieval to the contemporary. Throughout the organisations varied existence, one of its greatest strengths has been the voluntary supporters. More recently this has come from the many members of the County Gardens Trusts, and we will see how this vital grass root network also fits into the history of the Gardens Trust.

Mike Dawson is a planner and landscape architect and worked as a senior manager in local government planning and environmental services. For over 50 years he has been involved in conservation and environmental charities including the Garden History Society and the Gardens Trust. A founder member of a number of county gardens trusts, he was Chairman of the London Parks and Gardens Trust and Vice Chairman of the Gardens Trust following its formation.