Across cultures and times plants had all sorts of meanings attributed. Mythology, art, literature and even etiquette contained coded messages, some logical and others just plain odd. This form of covert communication is called floriography – and surprisingly still flourishes today. On the inland waterways, for example, many canal boats show off the vivid ’roses and castles’ motifs. This talk explores intriguing insights into the symbolism of blooms, gardens and designed landscapes. I bring floral material along, depending on the season, so no two talks are ever quite the same.
Views: 432 | Enquiries: 3Landscapes, history, travel, art and language – now that’s a set of themes to think about. If you’re curious, join me as we share insights and intrigues with some fascinating ‘explores’ of the stories behind everyday life. Always I aim to weave landscape, local and social histories with visible heritage in the present day. My talks aim to be fun, light-hearted and as interactive as possible. Often they come with added Antipodean perspectives as I’m Cheshire-born but Australian-bred.
I love speaking to all kinds of audiences. So far these have included history and heritage societies, cultural tours, garden clubs, community groups, WI, PROBUS, and U3A. A post-graduate degree and twenty years in the heritage sector have been stuffed with stimulus - excavating and interpreting archaeological sites, leading guided walks, putting on museum exhibitions. I’ve performed poetry at a convention in a Normandy village, and guested on regional radio. Further enjoyable encounters, this time with language and culture, came from teaching English to students from Spain to Siberia. Along with all that I’m a published writer with well over a hundred articles in periodicals from local to international. I live near mid-Cheshire’s scenic waterways.
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