Martin Stott is an award-winning broadcast journalist who has made programmes in 21 countries for the BBC World Service and Radio 4. He has given talks to the Gardens Trust, the National Trust and the Rose Society, and is a guest lecturer at the Roses by the Lake international symposium at Lake Como this Summer. He regularly gives talks to local gardening groups and history societies near his home in Nottinghamshire. Use the contact form to get in touch.
Our gardens are full of stories, if only we had time to dig for them. Former BBC journalist Martin Stott – the storyteller gardener – has done that for us. Join us for a fascinating history of some of the plants we grow. Martin has a particular passion for roses. Expect a potted history of the nation’s favourite flower and the amazing characters involved in its evolution.
Nottinghamshire vicar Samuel Reynolds Hole (1819-1904), celebrated preacher, rosarian, horticulturalist and author of the immensely popular A Book about Roses, was the first organiser of the National Rose Show and president of the world’s first National Rose Society. Hear the life story of this giant (in all respects) of the Victorian gardening world through his humorous writing.
Nottingham was once known as a garden town and the county has played a significant role in the nation’s horticultural journey. Former BBC journalist Martin Stott, author of the storyteller garden history blog – uncovers some of its hidden tales. Expect to hear about Nottingham’s royal garden, the Rose Kings, the Apple prince and the French Duke who taught us to eat raw celery.
In the centre of Nottingham, hidden from sight, lies a rare Georgian town garden that was created in 1752 by Mary Howe – a direct descendant of King James I – and George Smith, of the famous Nottingham banking family. The garden is part of Grade 2*-listed Bromley House, now the home of a fabulous subscription library. This is the story of Bromley House, the library and of the plans to restore its precious gem of a garden.
Martin Stott is a former BBC journalist who has made programmes for Radio 4 and the World Service from 21 countries. He is the co-editor of By Any Other Name, the heritage rose journal of the World Federation of Rose Societies, and writes the garden history blog: www.storytellergarden.co.uk.
Fees go towards the 18th century garden at Bromley House Library. Martin is a trustee of the library and co-ordinating the group leading its restoration.
Hosting a webinar for the Rose Society with Adam Frost from Gardeners’ World, rosarian Stewart Pocock and Jo Davey from Wharton’s roses – the UK’s largest rose grower.
Venue: Burton Joyce Library
Host: Burton Joyce Local History Society
Topic: Nottingham’s ‘Royal’ Garden
Venue: Woodborough Institute, Roe Hill, NG14 6BW
Host: Woodborough Local History Society
Topic: The Humour of Hole
Hosting a webinar for the Rose Society with award-winning garden designer Jo Thompson, Richard Stubbs and Liam Beddall from David Austin’s Roses and Emmelie Georgii from the Garden Society of Gothenburg garden
A webinar for the American Rose Society with Charles-Quest Ritson, looking at the history of the rose and the place for old roses in modern gardens.
Venue: New Mechanics Institute
Host: Nottingham Probus & the Curtius Salon
Topic: The Humour of Hole
Venue: Elston Village Hall
Host: Elston Gardening Group
Topic: The Storyteller Garden
Venue: Bingham
Host: Bingham Garden Club
Topic: Hidden Histories of Nottinghamshire Gardens
Venue: Coddington Village Hall
Host: Coddington History Group
Topic: Nottingham’s Royal Garden
Venue: Bleasby Village Hall
Host: Bleasby Local History Society
Topic: The Storyteller Garden
Venue: Lake Como, Italy
Host: Roses by the Lake
Topic: Culture & Cultivation – how rose shows changed the shape of our gardens
Venue: Alfreton
Host: South Normanton Gardens Association
Topic: The Storyteller Garden
Venue: Grange Hall, Radcliffe on Trent
Host: Radcliffe on Trent Gardening Club
Topic: The Storyteller Garden
Martin Stott is an award-winning journalist who has written for most of the UK national press and reported from 21 countries for the BBC World Service and Radio 4. The storyteller garden history blog combines his passion for storytelling, gardening and history.
