YGT, for it's AGM, enjoyed an illustrated lecture from local historian, David Neave regarding the Sledmere Estate, lunch, and an afternoon walk in the grounds.

This online talk provided a brief history of the gardens at Harewood House, before talking about the work of the gardens team over the past three decades and provided a glimpse into the future.

This online talk examined the travel accounts of Philip Yorke (later 2^nd Earl of Hardwicke) and his wife, Jemima Marchioness Grey, focusing on their tours of Yorkshire – which Grey judged to be ‘exceeding fine country’.

This online talk looked at the appointment of the Project Manager Sharon Sutton, why she was chosen to manage the refurbishment, and how she navigated her way through the 4-year project to Historic Parks for the Future - Cannon Hall.

This online talk highlighted the cultural significance of Scarborough’s ‘Naval Warfare’, which was launched in 1927 in Peasholm Park, Scarborough, Britain’s only public park designed exclusively in the Japanese style.

YGT’s first garden visit of 2023 was to Fairview, Smelthouses near Pateley Bridge, and was timed to enjoy some of Michael Myers' extensive collection of over 400 snowdrop varieties. 

This free, online lecture introduced the 'Women of the Welfare Landscape' project, central to which is landscape architect Brenda Colvin (1897-1981). 2022 was the centenary of the establishment of her independent practice in 1922.

Cannon Hall is a country house with gardens and parkland five miles from Barnsley, once home of the Spencer family and later the Spencer-Stanhope family.

Photo by Chris Beevers

Gillingwood Hall has 17th and18th century garden features and lay-out. These were explored with local experts to interpret.

Photo of summerhouse and terracing by Val Hepworth

A 5 mile guided walk to explore the world’s first ever nature reserve, and to hear of the extraordinary life and exploits of its founder, Charles Waterton.

Waterton - The world's first nature reserve. Photo by Maddy Hughes