WEDNESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2026

Seed Saving

Seeds are one of the key issues for food sovereignty and climate change mitigation.  In a time when diversity and quality are declining, it is imperative to reconnect once again with the practice of harvesting seeds that are tolerant and adapted to the changing climate. Join André, biodynamic farmer and gardener, founding member of the Living Seeds, organic and biodynamic seed company, for this step-by-step workshop to help you to obtain the best quality seed from your gardens. Learn how to select, harvest, dry, clean and store your seeds for maximum effect.

André Tranquilini, Estate Manager, Waltham Place 

André is a biodynamic farmer, consultant, and teacher. He has worked extensively as a market gardener, Steiner school teacher and farmer, and was a founding member of the seed company, Living Seeds, in Portugal. Born in Brazil, André has had the opportunity to work and manage farms in his homeland, as well as Portugal and the UK. He has travelled widely teaching workshops and lecturing on Biodynamic Agriculture.

WEDNESDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2026

NT Osterley House and Garden. Scenes from Ten Years as a Garden Volunteer

Katrina will talk about her ten years of garden volunteering at this National Trust property.

Katrina Roche, Gardening Writer and Blogger

Katrina is a freelance gardening writer. She contributes articles to consumer magazines and her blog, weedsrootsleaves.com, was shortlisted for Blog or Vlog of the year in the 2021 GMG Awards.  When she is not writing, she is a gardener, providing a seasonal maintenance and planting service and garden consultations. Katrina also regularly gives talks about gardens and gardening.

WEDNESDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2026

AGM AND CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Wonders of Migration

We welcome our birds in spring and say farewell to them in autumn. But where do they go, and why do they go? In fact, migration is not just between us and Africa, and not even just for birds. We look deeper into this topic.

Brian Clews, Founder Member of WildCookham and WildMaidenhead

Brian has lived in the area for 50 years, been involved with the local RSPB Group for 40 years, and published the monthly Berkshire Bird Bulletin for 30 years from 1986 to 2015. He was a co-Author for the latest Berkshire Bird Atlas project (a county-wide survey and conservation programme), and has written three other local books. Through working part-time with WildGuides Publishers, he has contributed to about 45 other natural history books.