UK Dr Mimi Tanimoto MSB
UK Plant Sciences Federation Executive Officer
Society of Biology
Charles Darwin House
12 Roger Street
London WC1N 2JU
United Kingdom
+44 (0)20 7685 2567
mimitanimoto@societyofbiology.org

UK United Kingdom

The UK participated at the 'Fascination of Plants Day 2012' and 2013
Success Story 2013

Success Story 2012
Complete list of events 2012

 

Plants are amazing – join us to celebrate their fundamental contribution to our lives on the second international “Fascination of Plants Day”

"Fascination of Plants Day" was launched under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO) to encourage people around the world to join together and celebrate the importance of plants. Building on the success of the 2012 event - botanic gardens, research labs, schools, museums and farmers will open their doors on 18th May 2013 with events for the whole family.

Plants and plant science are vital – not only for sustainably producing food, but also in ‘hidden’ ways such as the production of medicines, fuel, chemicals, paper and timber. We want to share our enthusiasm with the wider public and inspire people to think about plant science and conservation in new ways.

Everybody is welcome to join this initiative!

m o r e »   click here

We invite anyone who works with or is interested in plants, to get involved by organising an event for Fascination of Plants Day. Events could include hands-on activities, talks, debates, nature walks or visits to farms or research facilities. Further ideas can be found under the “Success Story 2012” links from participating countries.
Most public events will take place on Saturday 18th May 2013; however events may run any time from 12th to 24th May.
For guidelines and to register an event, contact your National Coordinator, Mimi Tanimoto mimitanimoto@societyofbiology.org or the EPSO Coordinator, Trine Hvoslef-Eide trine.hvoslef-eide@umb.no
The Fascination of Plants Day corporate design can be used to prepare, advertise and report on this day, and can be downloaded for free from the “PR-toolbox” under “Main Menu”.

The media are invited to meet with scientists, farmers, politicians and industrialists, to learn about the latest cutting edge research and breakthroughs in the plant science world, and explore the new applications that plant science can offer.

Plants are fascinating. From the moment the sun hits them each morning, plants capture light rays that have reached us from outer space, transforming them into living, growing matter. They are critical to the social and environmental landscape now and in the future – join us to sow a seed of inspiration in the minds of others.

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The UK participated at the 'Fascination of Plants Day 2012' and 2013
Success Story 2013

Success Story 2012
Complete list of events 2012

These institutions will take part at the Fascination of Plants Day 2013. If you would like to join this initiative, please contact your national coordinator, Mimi Tanimoto.

Aberystwyth University, Institute of Biological,
Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS),
Aberystwyth Arts Centre & Aberystwyth University Botany Garden
Aberystwyth
www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers
www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/facilities/botany-gardens

489

  • Interactive Events at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, and Aberystwyth University Botany Garden Open Day
    There will be interactive exhibits at Aberystwyth Arts Centre and the University Botany Garden glasshouse will be open from 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Visitors can take a guided tour or wander through the glasshouse themselves. Planned exhibits at Aberystwyth Arts Centre include the evolution of cereals and their weeds - highlighting the story of psychotoxins in history and culture. Artist Becky Knight will be on hand to encourage visitors take part in painting with plant pigments. Another display will extract DNA from plants and discuss how genes encoded by DNA are selected in plant breeding.
    - open day
    - guided tour
    - hands on activities
    - Saturday 18th May, 10am – 4pm
    - Aberystwyth University Botany Garden, Plas Penglais, Aberystwyth SY23 3DF
    Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth University, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth SY23 3DE
    Target audience: Everybody
    Organizer: Julie Hofer jmh18@aber.ac.uk
    http://users.aber.ac.uk/noe2/fpd/lit_and_com.htm
    http://users.aber.ac.uk/noe2/fpd/index.htm

Arnolfini
Bristol
www.arnolfini.org.uk

393

  • Seeds of Change: A Floating Ballast Seed Garden
    Learn about the concept of Maria Thereza Alves’ Seeds of Change project and the botanical background to the Floating Garden.

    ‘Seeds of Change' is the overall title of an ongoing ballast seed garden project from Brazilian artist Maria Thereza Alves. Between 1680 and the early 1900's ships' ballast - earth, stones and gravel from trade boats from all over the world used to weigh down the vessel as it docked - was offloaded into the river at Bristol. The ballast contained the seeds of plants from wherever the ship had sailed. Maria Thereza Alves discovered that these ballast seeds can lie dormant for hundreds of years, but that by excavating the river bed, it is possible to germinate and grow these seeds into flourishing plants.

    Working with the University of Bristol Botanic Garden and Bristol City Council, Arnolfini have utilised a disused grain barge and created a permanent Ballast Seed Garden on Bristol's Floating Harbour, populated with a variety of non-native plants, creating a living history of the city's trade and maritime past.

    Join us for a boat tour with Helen Davies, Curator of Learning and Participation and Nick Wray, Curator Botanic Garden and learn about the Seeds of Change project and the botanical background to the Floating Garden.

    Tickets £6/£5. Booking required. Please meet at Arnolfini box office.

    Follow @ArnolfiniArts and #ballastseed on twitter.
    - guided tour
    - exhibition
    - Saturday 18 May, 5.30 pm to 7pm. Booking required. Please contact our box office for bookings and enquiries. Tel 0117 9172300
    - Meet at Arnolfini box office, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA
    Target audience: Everyone
    Jessica Rolls jessica.rolls@arnolfini.org.uk
    www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/2013-international-fascination-of-plants-day

Beth Chatto Gardens
University of Essex
Colchester, Essex
www.bethchatto.co.uk
www.essex.ac.uk/bs

163, 440

  • Demonstrations, guided walks and fascinating talks at Beth Chatto Gardens
    In conjunction with the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Essex, Beth Chatto Gardens are hosting a day of celebrating gardening and science. There will be guided walks of the Gardens, including the Gravel Garden - featuring plants selected by nature to survive drought and poor soil conditions. With the University of Essex discover how thermal imaging can demonstrate water efficiency in plants. Enjoy hands on demonstrations, talks and posters to introduce you to the latest research projects by members of the School of Biological Sciences. Events and presentations will be running throughout the day. For a full schedule please see the event diary on the day.
    - open day
    - guided tour
    - hands on activities
    - presentation
    - exhibition
    - Friday 17th May, 10am - 4pm
    - The Beth Chatto Gardens, Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex CO7 7DB
    Target audience: General public -especially suitable for garden plant enthusiasts and those with an interest in biological sciences or who would like to know more about plants for different conditions and how they are adapted to survive
    Dr. Nicky J.D. Slee Nicola@essex.ac.uk Andrea Malby office@bethchatto.co.uk
    www.essex.ac.uk/bs

Biodiversity and Landscape History Research Institute (BALHRI) &
South Yorkshire Biodiversity Research Group (SYBRG)
Sheffield
www.ukeconet.co.uk

24

  • Shadows & Ghosts: Lost Woods in the Landscape
    The event will begin with a field visit to a site in the Peak District on Friday 17th to start the discussion. A packed lunch & refreshments will be included.

    On Saturday 18th the indoor event will be in the Cantor building at Sheffield Hallam University. The meeting will bring together speakers from a range of disciplines and include an afternoon panel discussion to review and develop ideas around ancient trees, ancient woods, wood pasture and the ideas of shadows, ghosts and retired veterans. This will develop ideas from previous work and draw together suggestions from practitioners and senior policy makers to examine issues of concern and lay the foundations for a major funded project to run in the next few years.

    We already have speakers and panel members from Natural England, Defra, the Woodland Trust, the National Trust, Ancient Tree Forum, National Parks, Universities and practitioners but would welcome offers of further contributions and posters.

    Friday: £25 per day for Volunteers/Students/Retired/Unwaged; Others £40 + VAT.
    Saturday: £25 per day for Volunteers/Students/Retired/Unwaged with packed lunch or £30 per day with buffet lunch; Others £45 + VAT with buffet lunch. A delegate pack, refreshments and lunch options are included in the fee.

    There are limited places and pre-booking is essential.
    A booking form and further information is available by emailing info@hallamec.plus.com
    - guided tour
    - seminar
    - Friday 17th May: Field visit (registration 12.30pm to 1.30pm);
    Saturday 18th May, 9.45am to 4.45pm: Main meeting
    - Friday 17th May: Meet at Cantor building. Visit to Froggatt and Burbage area (Eastern Peak District)
    Saturday 18th May: Cantor building, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street, Sheffield S1 1WB
    Contact: "Christine Handley christine@hallamec.plus.com
    Target audience: Professionals, students, volunteers and members of the public with an interest in woodlands
    http://www.ukeconet.co.uk/events/51-workshops/301-lost-woods-in-the-landscape.html

British Society for Plant Pathology
Bristol
http://bspp.org.uk

07

  • Leafy Murder Mystery!
    All is not well in the leafy terrain of the Stoke Park Estate in Bristol. There have been several reports of gruesome PLANT murders and some likely suspects have been named. Come join a team of detective scientists and nature savvy park ranger, Steve England, on a leafy murder mystery nature trail. Use cameras, apps and a microscope to work out which plant killers are looming in our woods and then contribute your findings to a plant disease bioblitz survey. There'll also be a Bug Hunt to track down all the creepy crawlies living off plants!
    - hands on activities
    - Friday 17th May (schools day) and Saturday 18th May for the general public, 10.30am - 5pm
    - Cameron Centre, Cameron Walk, Lockleaze, Bristol BS7 9XB
    Target audience: Friday 17th May: school groups (pupils aged 8 - 12) and Saturday 18th May: all ages.
    Katie Tomlinson outreach@bspp.org.uk
    https://www.facebook.com/events/494723750594451/

Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cambridge
http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Home.aspx

90

  • Festival of Plants
    Festival of Plants at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden brings together horticulture and science in a day devoted to all things plant, from propagation to pollination, from seed to shopping! Join our team of horticulturalists, plant experts and scientists from across the region for a garden event with a difference. A range of events and exhibits timetabled throughout the day include ‘ask the gardener’ sessions, pop-up plant science demonstrations, and plant shopping along the Garden’s majestic Main Walk.
    Normal garden admission applies. Event entry is FREE.
    - guided tour
    - hands on activities
    - presentation
    - Saturday 18th May 2013, 10am – 4pm
    - Cambridge University Botanic Garden, 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE
    Target audience: everybody
    Felicity Plent Fep26@cam.ac.uk
    http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Event . . .

CPIB, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham & UK Plant Phenomics Network
Nottingham
http://www.cpib.ac.uk/
www.ukppn.org.uk

04, event2, 175

  • Oktokopters, Robots and X-rays: 21st Century Plant Science
    Plant and crop scientists are using new technology to understand how plants grow, and how we can improve crops to feed the future global population. Come and find out more about exciting developments in plant phenotyping. This activity is part of MayFest, the University of Nottingham's free community Open Day http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mayfest
    - open day
    - Saturday 18th May, 11am-5.30pm
    - Room C11, Portland Building, University Park Campus, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD
    Target audience: everybody
    Susie Lydon susannah.lydon@nottingham.ac.uk
    http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mayfest/community/whatson/sciencerocks.aspx

Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera)
Sand Hutton, York
www.fera.defra.gov.uk

775

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    Stop the Spread Garden
    The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) will present a groundbreaking Show Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 21-25 May 2013. The Stop the Spread garden contrasts the beauty of a British garden with the potentially damaging effects that plant pests, diseases and invasive non-native species could have on our gardens, woodlands and countryside. Created by award-winning garden and landscape designer Jo Thompson, the garden aims to inspire the public to play their part in protecting our plants, trees and wildlife by adopting good practices to minimise their chances of unwittingly spreading pests, diseases and invasive non-native species - working together we can "Stop the Spread"

    NB This is a ticketed event. To book tickets please visit
    https://www.theticketfactory.com/rhs/online/

    The Stop the Spread garden has been created in partnership with Defra, Forestry Commission, National Trust, Welsh Government, Scottish Government, Woodland Trust, Horticultural Trades Association, and Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation.
    - exhibition
    - Tuesday 21st - Saturday 25th May
    - Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London SW3 4SL
    Target audience: General public, but amateur gardeners in particular
    Organizer: Alison Wilson Alison.wilson@fera.gsi.gov.uk
    www.fera.defra.gov.uk/events/chelsea2013

Glyndŵr University (Northop Campus)
Northop, Mold, Flintshire
www.glyndwr.ac.uk

884

  • --
    The Blue Carpet - Woodland and meadow plants in spring and early summer
    The event will be a guided tour of the University’s Northop Campus which will explore the diversity of the woodland and meadow plants during spring and early summer. It will also include some of the history surrounding Wat’s Dyke and Llys Edwin castle.
    - guided tour
    - Thursday 23th May, 1pm
    - Glyndwr University (Northop Campus), Holywell Road, Northop, Mold, Flintshire CH7 6AA
    Target audience: Everybody
    Organizer: Richard Lewis richard.lewis@glyndwr.ac.uk

Institute of Food Research
Norwich
http://www.ifr.ac.uk/

John Innes Centre
Norwich
www.jic.ac.uk

09

  • Open House, John Innes Foundation Historical Collections (Rare Botanical Books)
    The John Innes collection of rare botanical books illustrates five centuries of fascination with plants. This exhibition will showcase some of the treasures of the collection and will be introduced by our Outreach Curator.
    - exhibition
    - Saturday 18th May 2013, 10.30am-3.30pm
    Please note, the Rare Books Room is limited to a maximum of 25 visitors at any one time;
    we recommend booking a place on separate sessions beginning at half past every hour (i.e. 10.30am, 11.30am…. etc).
    Reservations can be made in advance by emailing sarah.wilmot@jic.ac.uk
    - John Innes Centre Library, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH.
    Target audience: Everybody
    Event organizer: Sarah Wilmot sarah.wilmot@jic.ac.uk

John Innes Centre, Teacher Scientist Network, The Genome Analysis Centre, Institute of Food Research, The Sainsbury Laboratory
Norwich
www.jic.ac.uk

08

  • Fascination of Plants Day
    Talks and hands on activities including: Match the Seeds to the Plant, Which Part of a plant do we eat?, Flower origami, Spot the difference – range of Arabidopsis mutations, Wheat evolution, Tours of glasshouses, tree listening, insectary displays including edible insects, celery in dye demo to demonstrate water uptake through xylem and much much more!
    - guided tour
    - hands on activities
    - presentation
    - exhibition
    - Friday 17th May: 10:30-12:00 and 13:30-15:00. Booking required
    - John Innes Centre Conference Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH
    Target audience: KS2 Event organizer: Dee Rawsthorne dee.rawsthorne@nbi.ac.uk

London College of Garden Design
London
www.lcgd.org.uk

164

  • Fascination of Plants – Rosie Hardy, Nigel Dunnett and Jake Hobson in discussion
    Plants are fascinating things but some devote more than a passing interest to these life forms. Rosy Hardy has devoted her professional career to perennials and cottage plants, producing spectacular results that have caught the eye of many a judge and visitor to RHS shows. Nigel Dunnett fascinated in turn as his years of academic research turned into colourful meadows at the 2012 Olympic Park. Jake Hobson explores a different fascination, controlling and manipulating plants into a variety of exciting forms and characters producing imposing contrasts to the softer lines of perennials and grasses.
    This event is sold out
    - seminar
    - Tuesday 14th May 2013, 6-8pm
    - Regent’s College, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London
    Target audience: Students, professionals and plantaholics – 18 years and up
    Contact: Helen Newell helennewell@lcgd.org,uk
    http://www.lcgd.org.uk/garden_design_courses.html

Moorbank Botanic Garden, Newcastle University
Newcastle
www.newcastle.ac.uk/moorbank

90a 

  • The Late Shows
    Hidden away in Newcastle City Centre is Moorbank Botanic Garden. Step into Moorbank's indoor tropical rainforest and desert house and meet the Street Science Team who bring science to life. Take part in balloon balancing demonstrations, create your own vortex from soda bottles and discover the science behind a range of puzzling phenomena, including how polar bears keep warm in winter and how whirlpools work. Plus, meet experts from Kielder Observatory and find out more about stars, planets and the night sky.

    Moorbank is open on Saturday 18th May as part of The Late Shows, the North East’s legendary culture crawl. Cultural venues across Newcastle and Gateshead will open their doors from 7pm to 11pm, offering a range of free events, exhibitions and performances.
    The warm-up event for The Late Shows will take place on Friday 17th May with a special programme of events exclusively in the Ouseburn Valley. On Saturday 18 May, museums, galleries and heritage sites will stay open late right across Newcastle and Gateshead. See www.thelateshows.org.uk for more details.
    - open day
    - hands on activities
    - Saturday 18th May, 7pm-11pm
    - Moorbank Botanic Garden, Claremont Road, Newcastle NE2 4NL
    Target audience: Everybody
    Helen Talbot Helen.talbot2@ncl.ac.uk
    https://www.facebook.com/Moorbank/events#!/events/254844697983411/

MRC Clinical Sciences Centre
London
www.bpod.mrc.ac.uk

883

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    Medicinal Plants Week
    BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre the website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biomedicine. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.
    To celebrate the contributions of plants to medicine the website is running a special Medicinal Plants themed week. In the run up to ‘International Fascination of Plants Day’ a stunning new image will be published each day, along with a brief summary of highlighting the past, current or potential applications of plants to healthcare.
    - presentation
    - Monday 13th – Friday 17th May
    - http://www.bpod.mrc.ac.uk/
    Target audience: Everybody
    Organizer: Lindsey Goff lindsey.goff@csc.mrc.ac.uk

Narroways Millenium Green Trust
Bristol
www.stwerburghs.org

548

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    Narroways – Nature Uncovered
    Narroways Hill is a little grassy & wooded ridge dissected by railway lines lying just north of inner-city Bristol. It has always been an open space and as the city has encroached on it, its value as a green sanctuary has increased. When British Rail threatened to sell it to developers in 1997, it caused such a reaction that 800 local people demonstrated to save it, thousands signed petitions and wrote letters, and money was raised for it to be purchased by Bristol City Council. It became a Millennium Green in the year 2000, with a 999 year lease to keep it free and open to the local people and allow wildlife to thrive.

    It occupies an elevated spot with fabulous panoramic views over the city which makes it a deservedly popular spot and a lovely place for a picnic! So why not bring one along to Narroways – Nature Uncovered, part of Bristol99 on Saturday 18th May? You can join in with some free walks and talks with expert naturalists and have fun helping record the trees, plants and wildlife on this local nature reserve. Turn up from 10.30am if you fancy joining in with the work party for an hour, or walks commence at 12.30pm. Meeting place – Narroways Nature Reserve Cutting.
    - guided tour
    - hands on activities
    - Saturday 18th May, 10.30am – 3.30pm
    - Narroways Cutting, St Werburghs, Bristol BS2 9YX
    Target audience: Everybody
    Organizer: Lucy Gaze lucy@bnhc.org.uk
    www.bristol99.org.uk

National Trust - Sheringham Park
Sheringham, Norfolk
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park

15

  • Head Gardener’s Rhododendron Walk
    Join head gardener Graham for a tour of the wild garden to see the mass of colour provided by the flowering Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Discover how such a wide range of species came to be here, and which ones are flourishing this year.
    £5 per person, book in at visitor centre on the day.
    - guided tour
    - Tuesday 21st May, 2pm
    - Sheringham Park Visitor Centre, Wood Farm, Upper Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8

    Target audience: everybody
    Contact: sheringhampark@nationaltrust.org.uk
    Web link www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park/things-to-see-and-do/events

Rothamsted Research
Harpenden, Hertfordshire
www.rothamsted.ac.uk

758

  • --
    Design the perfect plant challenge
    Rothamsted Research scientists will be working with local secondary schools to enthuse children to appreciate and understand the scope of plant sciences. Students will be involved in displays and hands-on activities looking at plant nutrition, pollination, domestication, and the biodiversity and uses of plants. Students will be introduced to the principles underlying ecological approaches to crop protection, and play ‘the push-pull’ game where they themselves will act as plants or pests. At the end of the day, students will be challenged to design their perfect plant as a source of carbohydrates to be grown under different environmental conditions. A panel will judge the best poster and prizes will be awarded.

    NB This is not a public event.
    - hands on activities
    - exhibition
    - Wednesday 22nd May
    - Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ
    Target audience: The event will target around 60 pupils age 12-14 and their science teachers
    Organizer: Dr Adelia de Paula adelia.depaula@rothamsted.ac.uk

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Edinburgh
www.rbge.org.uk

392

  • Moving forward from ash dieback
    The recent arrival of the ash dieback disease is a major threat to the 10 million ash trees in Scotland. From May 18th, the Edinburgh Botanics will be hosting an exhibit developed by the Scottish Tree Health Advisory Group. This exhibit explores the impact of ash dieback on our economy, our biodiversity and our landscape. The exhibit highlights how we can learn from this experience and what you can do to protect trees in the future. The exhibit will be travelling to over 20 venues throughout the year.
    - exhibition
    - Saturday 18th May, 10am – 6pm
    - John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR
    Target audience: Adults – general public and professionals
    Sophie Williams s.williams@rbge.ac.uk
    www.rbge.org.uk/whats-on/ash-dieback

Saltram - National Trust
Plymouth
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram
www.facebook.com/SaltramHouse

555

  • Saltram’s Fascinating Plants Garden Tour
    Join an enthusiastic gardener on a guided tour around Satram’s beautiful 30 acre garden. The tour will focus on the many strange and unusual plants that grow in the sheltered climate, some of which are very rare to see outside in the UK.
    Note: Normal garden admission prices apply (Free to National Trust members).
    - guided tour
    - Saturday 18th May, 2pm – 3.30pm
    - Plympton, Plymouth, Devon PL7 1UH
    Target audience: Everybody
    Organizer: Martin J. Stott martin.stott@nationaltrust.org.uk

Sense About Science
London
www.senseaboutscience.org

776

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    What would your ‘super wheat’ look like?
    UK scientists have developed a new ‘super wheat’ variety and the early trials suggest that the new wheat is bigger and stronger than modern wheat varieties. If you were to develop a new wheat variety what traits would you want to give it?

    Join us online on Tuesday 21st May, 2-3pm to discuss with wheat researchers whether your chosen trait could be bred into wheat and how it could be done.
    Send questions or comments via Twitter to @senseaboutsci using #plantsci, or email us at plantsci@senseaboutscience.org
    - Wednesday 22nd May, 2-3pm
    - Online at www.senseaboutscience.org/plantscience
    Target audience: Everybody
    Organizer: Frances Downey fdowney@senseaboutscience.org
    www.senseaboutscience.org/plantscience

Spitalfields City Farm
London
www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org

435

  • Fascination of Plants Day at Spitalfields City Farm
    Spitalfields City Farm staff will be providing guided tours of historically significant, useful and other unique plants growing on the farm. Tours will culminate in a pick and cook demonstration with plants from the farm. Other fun hands-on activities related to fascinating plants will also be available for all.
    - guided tour
    - hands on activities
    - Sunday 19th May, 11am-4pm
    - Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street, London E1 5AR
    Target audience: Everybody
    Michelle Sinden michelle@spitalfieldscityfarm.org
    www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org

Society of Biology
London
www.societyofbiology.org

Society of Biology Yorkshire Branch
Yorkshire
www.societyofbiology.org/branches/yorkshire
www.himalayangarden.com

882

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    Visit to Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park
    A visit to the spectacular woodland garden which shows off Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Magnolias, Cornus and other Himalayan plants to their best advantage in a natural setting at 850 feet above sea level. Awarded 'Environmental Project of the Year' as part of the Yorkshire Rural Awards in 2009.

    In addition - for the artistic amongst you - the Himalayan Gardens have invited sculptors to display their work around the garden.
    There will be the opportunity to buy some of the plants you see in the plant nursery, and there is an (all important) tea room on-site.
    Meet at Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, The Hutts, Grewelthorpe, Ripon, HG4 3DA.
    Admission price £6.
    - exhibition
    - Saturday 18th May, 11am – 4pm
    - Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, The Hutts, Grewelthorpe, Ripon, HG4 3DA
    Target audience: Everybody
    Organizer: Chris Collins ccollins@qscl.co.uk
    www.societyofbiology.org/branches/yorkshire/events/view/607

Teacher Scientist Network
Norwich
http://www.tsn.org.uk/

The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC)
Norwich
http://www.tgac.ac.uk/

The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL)
Norwich
http://www.tsl.ac.uk/

UK Plant Sciences Federation
London
www.plantsci.org.uk

University of Bristol Botanic Garden
Bristol
www.bristol.ac.uk/botanic-garden

45

  • Revealing the Secrets of our Gardens
    Ever wondered how many things are living in your garden? Or what does the world look like to a bee? There is a wealth of diversity in gardens that goes unnoticed, from the important native plants that sneak in as ‘weeds’ to life at a microscopic scale. The University of Bristol Botanic Garden will become a living science lab for the day to explore the hidden world of plants.

    Take part in a plant hunt in the wild flower meadow with prizes for the most species discovered! Bring in flowers from your own garden to study under UV light and view them through the eyes of a bee. Trek through Bristol’s own desert and tropical rainforest to discover the fascinating ways that plants adapt to living successfully in extreme environments. There is much more to plants than meets the eye so join scientists from the University of Bristol Botanic Garden and Biology Department as they reveal the secrets of our gardens.
    - open day
    - guided tour
    - hands on activities
    - Sunday 19th May, 10am to 4pm
    - University of Bristol Botanic Garden, The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, Stoke Bishop, Bristol BS9 1JG
    Target audience: everybody
    Frances Cartwright: Frances.cartwright@bristol.ac.uk
    Prof Simon Hiscock (Director of the University Botanic Garden): simon.hiscock@bristol.ac.uk
    https://www.facebook.com/events/125284737652619/

University of Dundee Botanic Garden
The James Hutton Institute
The College of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee
Dundee
www.dundee.ac.uk/botanic
www.hutton.ac.uk
www.lifesci.dundee.ac.uk

433

  • International Fascination of Plants Day at the Dundee Botanic Garden
    Meet researchers from the University of Dundee College of Life Sciences and the James Hutton Institute and enjoy a range of activities exploring the fascinating science of plants
    Join us at the Botanic Gardens in Dundee as part of the International Fascination of Plants Day. Meet our internationally-renowned scientists and explore some of the amazing scientific research that reveals the fascinating nature of plants.
    • Visit the Genetics Garden
    • Participate in some Plant Hammering (yes, it’s as much fun as it sounds!)
    • Follow the Botanic Garden Trail
    • Extract DNA from Plants
    • See plants in a completely different light: thermal imaging technology
    - open day
    - guided tour
    - hands on activities
    - Friday 17th May (for schools); Saturday 18th May (general public)
    - Dundee Botanic Garden, University of Dundee, Botanic Garden & Grounds
, Riverside Drive, Dundee 
DD2 1QH
    Target audience: Everybody!
    Sarah Hussain S.Hussain@dundee.ac.uk

University of Essex, School of Biological Sciences
Firstsite BA Fine Art Graduates
Colchester
www.essex.ac.uk/bs
www.firstsite.uk.net

891

  • --
    Celebrating the Second International Fascination of Plants Day within the Family Learning Festival
    There will be a range of hands on plant based activities using art and science to explore the fascination of plants e.g. Creation of a huge collage, use of artistic training techniques to encourage creativity. Comparison of work created by a scientist and an artist – can you guess who created which image? Displays of books and posters about plants and use of a digital microscope to reveal the some of the fascination things about plants.
    - open day
    - hands on activities
    - presentation
    - exhibition
    - Saturday 8th June, 11am – 4pm
    - Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 1JH
    Target audience: Suitable for families with children aged 7-14 years
    Organizer: Dr. Nicky J.D. Slee Nicola@essex.ac.uk
    http://www.essex.ac.uk/bs/news_and_seminars/news.aspx

University of Glasgow & Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Glasgow
www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/biology/research/plantscience
www.glasgowbotanicgardens.com

335

  • Twenty-first century plant science
    What do ash dieback, rising food prices, and climate change have in common? These are just some of the global challenges being tackled by the University of Glasgow and other plant scientists and explored in this exhibition.
    - exhibition
    - 6th - 16th June
    - Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0UE
    Target audience: Everybody
    Mary Williams mwilliams@aspb.org

    • 336

  • Schools day event: Plants, Life, People
    People interact with plants on a daily basis, often without realising it. Join us to learn more about plants by participating in hands-on activities such as DNA extraction, painting with pigments, and preparing plant cuttings to take home.

    Pre-reservation is required.
    - hands on activities
    - 11th June
    - Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0UE
    Target audience: Primary and nursery schools
    Mary Williams mwilliams@aspb.org

University of Leeds Food Security Sector Hub &
the Marie Curie CropLife Initial Training Network
Leeds
www.foodsecurity.leeds.ac.uk
www.uni-kiel.de/krupinska/croplife/croplife.html

310

  • Fascination of Plants Day
    The University of Leeds will be in The Light shopping centre with a display of plants and their products.
    A large group of researchers from across Europe will be on hand to answer your questions on how plants contribute to our lives, and how you can help to support greater diversity. We will be showcasing the University’s Edible Campus project and invite you to view the RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold award winning “Gardening for Champions!” garden at the University.
    There will be live demonstrations of honeybees & bumblebees, and giveaways of wild flower seeds that you can plant to encourage important insects to your garden. We will also be holding a seedling swap - if you have more than you need bring them along and swap them for something else!
    - hands on activities
    - exhibition
    - Saturday 18th May 10am – 4pm
    - The Light shopping centre, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 8TL
    Target audience: Everybody
    Adam Getliff foodsecurity@leeds.ac.uk
    https://www.facebook.com/events/137262949793949/?ref=22

University of Leicester Botanic Garden
Leicester
www.le.ac.uk/botanicgarden

387

  • Medicinal herbs: a journey of modern, traditional and folklore uses of herbs in medicine. A 5 week course by Ginny Kemp
    A five week course, each week exploring a different system of the body and the herbs used covering active constituents, properties and medicinal uses.
    - seminar
    - Wednesday 22nd May for 5 weeks
    - University of Leicester Botanic garden, Stoughton Drive South, Oadby, Leicestershire LE67 5PU
    Target audience: Public
    Ruth Godfrey botanicgarden@le.ac.uk

    • 390

  • Public lecture: “Withering - the English Linnaeus and the flowering pharmacology” Dr Peter Sheldon
    The 2013 Botanic Garden Lecture will be given by Dr Peter Sheldon, Senior Consultant Rheumatologist to the University Hospitals of Leicester, and retired Clinical Senior Lecturer in Immunology to the Leicester Medical School.

    His topic focuses on William Withering, a physician and a learned botanist, who published an English translation of Linnaeus' classification. His pioneering work on the medicinal properties of the foxglove led to a more scientific approach towards its exploitation as a treatment for disease.
    William Withering was a member of the original Lunar Society, a group of intellectuals & scientists who met in the late 18th century to share their ideas.

    Dr Sheldon’s long-term interest in both Withering and medicinal plants, particularly foxglove, meadowsweet and wintergreen, led to the publication of two books: ""The life and times of William Withering, his work, his legacy"" and ""The fall and rise of aspirin: the wonder drug"".
    - presentation
    - Thursday 16th May, 8pm
    - University of Leicester main campus, Ken Edwards Lecture Theatre 3, University Road, Leicester
    Target audience: All adults
    Ruth Godfrey botanicgarden@le.ac.uk
    www2.le.ac.uk/institution/botanic-garden/events . . .

    • 391

  • Whole World Cake
    School programme - children go around the Botanic Garden and collect the ingredients to make a cake from the plants they come from. Facts about the plants and the people behind their commercial production are highlighted.
    These are private events.
    - Monday 13th May;
    Thursday 16th May;
    Friday 17th May &
    Tuesday 21st May
    - University of Leicester Botanic Garden, Stoughton Drive South, Oadby, Leicestershire LE67 5PU
    Target audience:
    13th May: 22 children aged 4-5 years from Hemmington Primary School;
    16th May: 60 children aged 4-5 years from The Hall Primary School;
    17th May: 60 children aged 7-8 years from Gladstone Primary School;
    21st May: 30 Children aged 7-8 years from Houghton-on-the-Hill Primary School
    Ruth Godfrey botanicgarden@le.ac.uk

University of Liverpool & the Liverpool World Museum
Liverpool
www.liv.ac.uk
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml

167

  • Fascinated by Plants? You SHOULD be because WE need them for EVERYTHING!!
    Come learn all about plants from real scientists, take away some plant DNA and win prizes!!
    In collaboration with the Liverpool World Museum, the Department of Plant Science at the University of Liverpool will lead a range of exciting events for all the family!
    • Extract plant DNA (and then take it home with you)!
    • Win prizes by matching plants and their (sometimes tasty) products!
    • Learn all about how a seed grows into a plant in a cool interactive video game (and win a prize)!
    • Talk to real life scientists, look at plant cells using a high-powered microscope, design your own plant competition!
    - hands on activities
    - exhibition
    - Saturday 18th May, 11am- 4pm
    - Liverpool World Museum, William Brown St, Liverpool, Merseyside L3 8EN
    Target audience: Families with children under 12
    Geraint Parry Geraint.Parry@liverpool.ac.uk

University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
University of Oxford Department of Plant Sciences
Oxford Brookes University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Oxford
www.harcourt-arboretum.ox.ac.uk
www.plants.ox.ac.uk
www.brookes.ac.uk/plant_endomembrane

309

  • Time Travel with Trees @ Harcourt Arboretum
    Travel backwards with us through time and space to see how plants have evolved and then forwards to see how scientists are helping us to understand the fascinating world of plants. We rely on plants every single day to provide us with food, energy, clothing, medicines and more besides. Throughout the day there will be hands-on activities and displays, guided walks and trials showcasing important areas of research. The University of Oxford Plant Sciences Department, Plant Life, RSPB, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and the Amateur Entomologist's Society will all be involved getting the public and families to take part in fun science activities. Make your own plant fossil, take a guided tour around the Arboretum hear some tree inspired stories and meet the scientists any time between 10 am and 4pm.
    Arboretum Education Officer, Lynn Daley said ”It’s a great opportunity for people to come along and see science in action in the beautiful setting of the Arboretum”.
    Refreshments will be available for purchase all day, courtesy of the Friends of the Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum.
    We are grateful to Syngenta and to Oxford University Press for sponsoring this event.
    - open day
    - guided tour
    - hands on activities
    - Saturday May 18th, 10am to 4pm
    - Harcourt Arboretum, Nuneham Courtenay, Oxfordshire OX44 9PX
    Target audience: Adults, families, children 5 upwards, teenagers
    Alison Foster alison.foster@obg.ox.ac.uk
    http://www.harcourt-arboretum.ox.ac.uk/fascination-plants-day-2013-arboretum

WWT London Wetland Centre
London
www.wwt.org.uk/visit/london

12

  • Fascination of Plants Day Walk
    Join us on International Fascination of Plants Day and celebrate the diversity of wetland plants. Find out about how these plants have been used throughout history for everything from warding off vampires to pest control; and construction to laxatives!
    As we stroll through the reserve, look out for the tell tale signs of water vole activity as they gnaw their way through reeds and sedges on the margins of our ponds, and explore the vibrant insect life that our wetland plants support.
    The walk is free with paid admission to the centre and there's no need to book. Meet in the Courtyard.
    - guided tour
    - Saturday 18th May 2013, 12pm and 3pm
    - WWT London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, London SW13 9WT

    Target audience: Everybody
    Contact: info.london@wwt.org.uk
    http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/london/whats-on/2013/05/18/fascination-of-plants-day-walks/

 

Partner Organizations

Amateur Entomologists' Society
Partner organisation of event at the University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
www.amentsoc.org

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Partner organisation of event at the University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
www.bbowt.org.uk

Bristol City Council
Partner organisation of event with Arnolfini
Bristol
www.bristol.gov.uk

Bristol Natural History Consortium
Partner organisation of events organised by
the British Society for Plant Pathology and
Narroways Millenium Green Trust
Bristol
www.bnhc.org.uk

Bristol99
Partner organisation of event at Narroways Millenium Green
Bristol
http://bristol99.org.uk

Bumblebee Conservation Trust
Partner organisation of event at the University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
http://bumblebeeconservation.org

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC)
Partner organisation of event at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cambridge
www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk

Cambridge Partnership for Plant Sciences
Partner organisation of event at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cambridge
www.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/CPPS

College of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee
Partner organisation of event at the University of Dundee Botanic Garden
Dundee
www.lifesci.dundee.ac.uk

Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
Partner organisation in creating Fera's Stop the Spread Garden
London
www.defra.gov.uk

Forestry Commission
Partner organisation in creating Fera's Stop the Spread Garden
Bristol
www.forestry.gov.uk

Gatsby Plant Science Summer School Project
Partner organisation of event with the University of Leeds Food Security Sector Hub
Leeds
www.gatsbyplants.leeds.ac.uk

Gladstone Primary School
Participating in the University of Leicester Botanic Garden's
Whole World Cake school programme
Leicestershire

Hemington Primary School
Participating in the University of Leicester Botanic Garden's
Whole World Cake school programme
Leicestershire
http://hemington.leics.sch.uk/wordpress/

Horticultural Trades Association
Partner organisation in creating Fera's Stop the Spread Garden
Reading
www.the-hta.org.uk

Houghton-on-the-Hill Primary School
Participating in the University of Leicester Botanic Garden's
Whole World Cake school programme
Leicestershire
www.houghton.leics.sch.uk

Imperial College London, Division of Biology
Partner organisation of event at Spitalfields City Farm
London
http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/lifesciences

Institute of Food Research
Partner organisation of Fascination of Plants Day at the John Innes Centre
Norwich
www.ifr.ac.uk

KWS
Partner organisation of event at Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cambridge
www.kws-uk.com

Lathallan School
Private event
Montrose, Angus
www.lathallan.org.uk

National Trust
Partner organisation in creating Fera's Stop the Spread Garden
Swindon
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Oxford University Press
Sponsor of event at the University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
Oxford
http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/

Oxford University Press
In support of Fascination of Plants Day 2013,
Oxford University Press is hosting a dedicated web page with free plant-themed journal articles, a biology book sale and quiz.
OuP is also sponsoring the event at the University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum.
Oxford
http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/category/acade . . . ... . . . .....

Plantlife
Partner organisation of event at the University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
Salisbury
www.plantlife.org.uk

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Partner organisation of event at the University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
Sandy, Bedfordshire
www.rspb.org.uk

Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University
Partner organisation of event at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cambridge
www.slcu.cam.ac.uk

Scottish Government
Partner organisation in creating Fera's Stop the Spread Garden
Edinburgh
http://home.scotland.gov.uk

Sheffield Hallam University
Partner organisation of event organised by
the Biodiversity and Landscape History Research Institute (BALHRI) &
South Yorkshire Biodiversity Research Group (SYBRG)
Sheffield
www.shu.ac.uk

Society of Biology East Anglia branch
Partner organisation of event at Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Cambridge
www.societyofbiology.org/branches/east-anglia

South Yorkshire Biodiversity Research Group (SYBRG)
Partner organisation of event with the Biodiversity and Landscape History Research Institute (BALHRI)
www.ukeconet.org

Stoke Park Estate
Partner organisation of event organised by the British Society for Plant Pathology
Bristol
www.bristol.gov.uk/page/leisure-and-culture/stoke-park-estate

Syngenta
Sponsor of event at the University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
Cambridge
http://www3.syngenta.com/country/uk/en/pages/home.aspx

Taylor & Francis
In support of Fascination of Plants Day,
Taylor & Francis is offering free access to a definitive list of key articles related to the event
London
http://explore.tandfonline.com/content/est/fascination-of-plants-day . .. . . ..

Teacher Scientist Network
Partner organisation of Fascination of Plants Day at the John Innes Centre
Norwich
www.tsn.org.uk

The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC)
Partner organisation of Fascination of Plants Day at the John Innes Centre
Norwich
www.tgac.ac.uk

The Hall Primary School
Participating in the University of Leicester Botanic Garden's
Whole World Cake school programme
Leicester
www.thehall.leics.sch.uk

The James Hutton Institute
Partner organisation of event at the University of Dundee Botanic Garden
Dundee
http://www.hutton.ac.uk/

The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL)
Partner organisation of Fascination of Plants Day at the John Innes Centre
Norwich
www.tsl.ac.uk

Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation
Partner organisation in creating Fera's Stop the Spread Garden
Leicester
www.timcon.org

UK Plant Sciences Federation
National coordinator of Fascination of Plants Day
London
www.plantsci.org.uk

University of Bristol School of Biological Sciences
Partner organisation of events organised by
the British Society for Plant Pathology and
the University of Bristol Botanic Garden
Bristol
www.bristol.ac.uk/biology

University of Essex, School of Biological Sciences
Partner organisation of event at Beth Chatto Gardens
Elmstead Market, Essex
http://www.essex.ac.uk/bs/

University of Oxford Botanic Garden
Partner organisation of event at the University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
Oxford
www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk

University of Oxford Department of Plant Sciences
Partner organisation of event at the University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum
Oxford
www.plants.ox.ac.uk/plants

Welsh Government
Partner organisation in creating Fera's Stop the Spread Garden
Cardiff
http://wales.gov.uk

Woodland Trust
Partner organisation in creating Fera's Stop the Spread Garden
Grantham
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk