The Walled Garden Project
presents
Talks on Monday at Luton Hoo Estate
26 October 2026:
The community gardeners from Luton Edible High Town work hard to keep their local orchard alive. Investigating similar community orchards resulted in the recent Luton Orchards project. Join the project coordinator, Konni Dieppe, on a journey through historical maps, photographs and stories of Luton’s orchards from the past until today including a new apple variety!
23 November 2026:
Highlighting some of the numerous connections between Luton Hoo Estate and Harpenden from the 17th century to the 21st century. Examples will include: links between the Napier and Leigh families of Luton Hoo and the Wittewronges of Rothamsted; G H Herring who led both the estate and town Fire Brigades; WWI men remembered on both Luton Hoo and Harpenden War Memorials; plus other connections. Speaker: Felicity Brimblecombe.
25 January 2027:
A state of the art, large, enclosed farmyard was built in the 1860s by the Leigh family. Articles and plans published in contemporary national farming magazines and current photographs will be used to explain some of the very unusual, entrepreneurial details. Still largely intact, some of its current uses will be mentioned from filming to skiing. Speaker: Felicity Brimblecombe.
22 February 2027:
Madame de Falbe was a renowned hostess and friend of the Prince and Princess of Wales. How did she become the Lady of the Manor of Luton? Join her guests at house parties at Luton Hoo in the late 19th century and learn something of her style and hospitality and the entertainments she provided on the Estate. Speaker: Pat Livesey.
22 March 2027:
From 1847 to 1899, the Leigh owners (father, son and son’s widow Madame de Falbe) employed several Head Gardeners. Working at Luton Hoo on a CV often boosted a gardener’s career. Some moved on to become specialists elsewhere such as John Newton who became a Chrysanthemum expert at the Inner Temple in London. Speaker: Felicity Brimblecombe.
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