Before Tom’s talk members enjoyed a social gathering of tasty finger food, a drink and a good chat.

Tom proved to be an enormously enthusiastic speaker passionate about plants. He took us on a roller coaster journey from his early interest in gardening, through his plant hunting around the world, his time in captivity and described how he had created his garden at Lullingstone Castle. His pictures demonstrated  the amazing lengths he went to seek out and see plants in the world, and subsequently source and deliver plants to his garden.