1. Partner Gardens Forum 2015 Welcome – Sue Biggs, Director General

2. Today’s presentations RHS Network Community Outreach Libby Goodacre Campaign for Schools Gardening Gill Owen Horticulture Tim Upson RHS media Chris Young and Ian Reynolds Lunch Open Forum Garden Tour Curator, Paul Cook

3. Partner Gardens Scheme 2015 Welcome to: Knebworth House Holehird Gardens Cotswold Wildlife Park, Bowood House Ballyrobert Cottage Garden Currently 169 Gardens (150 in the UK, 19 Overseas) A further 30 potential gardens interested for 2016 Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire

4. A Scheme for All Members Improving the relationship ‘ … generously support the charitable work of the RHS by offering our members free entry. When enjoying your free visit to these beautiful gardens why not show your appreciation by enjoying a cup of tea or taking home a souvenir from the shop or plant centre’ Quick response to queries & complaints treated as a priority. Entrance queries - call RHS membership services line 0203 176 5810 Garden visits – meeting our Partner Gardens Improved Partner Gardens materials – logos, posters Many have signed up for National Gardening Week, community group offers (20 signed up) & travel promotions

5. Since April 2014 Forum Award of Garden Merit Point of Sale to 61 gardens Plant Committee outreach day - Cotswold Wildlife Park New AGM trials at - Abbotsbury (Mophead hydrangea), Threave (heathers) and Picton Garden (asters) 10 gardens hosting teacher training Promoting bursaries - Susan Pearson Bursary (£10K funding for a trainee) New website - 1.5 million hits on Partner Gardens in 12 mths to Oct 14 East Lambrook Manor, Somerset. Featured in The Garden

6. Coming up … Our next plans are to: Further website development – improved visibility of Partner Gardens, events input directly online Social media – re-tweeting to 70,000 followers Workshops – first one today, regional ones to follow Continue to work with RHS Travel and Education teams to highlight PGs A request: We need to ask for more visitor & event figures

7. RHS Vision Statement ‘We want to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and beautiful place’

8. Partner Gardens - part of the vision Partners in promoting horticulture Working to promote garden visits Recognising the importance of the UK’s Garden heritage Sharing knowledge, helping to network & encouraging people to attend courses, meet experts and have fun in gardens