What’s On

Winter Talk: ‘The Rise of Rhubarb’ | 10 October 2024

Speaker: Kath Hay

Millar Hall (Church Café) at Duddingston Kirk Garden, 7.30pm to 8.30pm (Free)

The introduction of rhubarb into Edinburgh by Sir Alexander Dick and links to the arrival of the printing press.

Kath Hay has worked within the publishing industry for more than 45 years, with book, periodical and newspaper publishers in London, Melbourne and Edinburgh.  She was also appointed Head of PPA Scotland – the Professional Publishers Association, a post she held for 12 years.  Currently, she is the Managing Editor of a local community magazine.

This season’s Winter Talks will take place on the first Thursday of the month from 10 October 2024 to 3 April 2025 (with the exception of January); refreshments afterwards.

The talks are free, but a donation to Dr Neil’s Garden would be welcomed. 

The Swells Cabaret Night | 2 November 2024

Duddingston Kirk Hall, 7.30pm

The Swells return for a third year to perform their latest show, ‘Love, Loss & Chemistry’ – a popular cabaret style evening of songs and stories – BYOB.

Tickets £12 (plus £1.70 booking fee) from Eventbrite

Winter Talk: ‘A Brief History of Fancy Dress’ | 7 November 2024

Speaker: Kate Stephenson

Millar Hall (Church Café) at Duddingston Kirk Garden, 7.30pm to 8.30pm (Free)

From 15th century Venetian carnivals, through the pleasure gardens of the 18th century, to the Victorian costume ball, this talk considers the history and enduring popularity of fancy dress in European society. Using original descriptions, images and guides find out who wore what and why.

This season’s Winter Talks will take place on the first Thursday of the month from 10 October 2024 to 3 April 2025 (with the exception of January); refreshments afterwards.

The talks are free, but a donation to Dr Neil’s Garden would be welcomed. 

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop | 7 & 8 December 2024

Millar Hall (Church Café) at Duddingston Kirk Garden, 12 noon to 4pm

Our annual Wreath Making Workshops will take place again this year.

The cost is £50 which includes all materials and refreshments.

To book, please email Dorothy Blacklock:
dorothy.blacklock@btinternet.com

Winter Talks Programme | October 2024 to April 2025

Millar Hall (Church Café) at Duddingston Kirk Garden, 7.30pm – 8.30pm

We now have the list of next season’s Winter Talks which will take place on the first Thursday of the month from 10 October 2023 – 3 April 2024 (with the exception of January); refreshments afterwards.

The talks are free, but a donation to the Dr Neil’s Garden would be welcomed.

Thursday 10 Oct 2024
The Rise of Rhubarb  | Kath Hay
The introduction of rhubarb into Edinburgh by Sir Alexander Dick and links to the arrival of the printing press.

Thursday 7 Nov 2024
A Brief History of Fancy Dress  | Kate Stephenson
From 15th century Venetian carnivals, through the pleasure gardens of the 18th century, to the Victorian costume ball, this talk considers the history and enduring popularity of fancy dress in European society. Using original descriptions, images and guides find out who wore what, and why. 

Thursday 5 Dec 2024
What grows in your street? The rich and changing urban flora of Scotland. | John Grace
The talk will show the results of a botanical survey of wild flowers in towns and cities throughout Scotland, with emphasis on how the flora is being influenced by climate change and by local and national policies on biodiversity.

Thursday 6 Feb 2025
From Our Archive: Portobello | Margaret Munro
The talk features archive photographs, including buildings and people from Portobello over the last 100 years or so.

Thursday 6 Mar 2025
Delve into Scottish Plant Lore  | Greg Kenicer
From the practical to the fantastical, people have used plants in myriad ways through the ages in Scotland. This talk investigates some of these uses and practices – the patterns, connections to other cultures and some of the unique (and sometimes weird) ways plants and people have worked together

Thursday 3 Apr 2025
Whither nature?  | Roger Crofts
In this, hopefully thought-provoking, talk, Roger asks his listeners what is nature to you, describes what is happening around the world and in Scotland, asks who is in charge and suggests what needs to be done.

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