Speaker: Mary Payne MBE

Mary Payne MBE has been the horticultural consultant for the Compton Acres Garden for the last 20 years, and will discuss the challenges of gardening on a sandy soil with ever increasing tree cover.
Mary is also horticultural consultant to many gardens, specialising in planting schemes. She was awarded the MBE in 2004 for Services to Horticulture in the Southwest. She spent 10 years teaching horticulture at the University of Bath (1968-78) and has since run her own gardening classes.
Mary has been awarded many gold medals from Chelsea and Hampton Court, including The Tudor Rose Award for the Best Exhibit at Hampton Court in 2009.
For 20 years Mary has broadcast regularly on BBC Radio Bristol and gives talks to many garden clubs and other groups.