The first lecture of 1992 was given in February by Mr. Chris Crowder, Head Gardener of Levens Hall, who brightened a dark February evening with his colourful slides of the planting schemes at Levens. He described the history of the Elizabethan Hall and its gardens, and explained the secrets behind its famous topiary. In March, Mr. Cedric Robinson, who has the intriguing title of The Queen's Official Guide to the Kent's Sands, told us, in a most interesting talk, how Morecambe Bay and the Kent estuary provide a home for almost every seabird known in Britain, and warned us of the treachery of the local tides. After the AGM in October, Mr. Stan Lawrence, well known to many Trust members for his detailed knowledge of the history and buildings of the area, talked to us about the history of Clapham Village. The Trust moved somewhat further back in time one month later, when Dr. D.C.A. Shotter, from Lancaster University, addressed us at Bentham Town Hall on the Romans in North West Britain. He reminded us of how Agricola and his legions overran the local tribe, the Brigantes, and began to establish the infrastructure of the region, not least with roads north to the Border and across the Pennines.
The 1993 season of talks started in February with an amusing and informative talk by Mr. R. Hindley on Yorkshire surnames, in which he described the origins and evolution of many local names. This was followed, in March, by the return visit to the Trust of Miss Eleanor Fisher, who lectured to us on plants that thrive in the North. This popular event gave Trust members renewed inspiration just before the start of the new gardening season, and was much enjoyed. The talks arranged by the Trust are a prominent feature of its activities. They are listed on the Programme Card, and also elsewhere in this Journal.
Amanda Hobson.