Page 30 - QARANC Spring 2024

30 The Gazette QARANC Association
MILLBANK BRANCH
Kew Gardens:
“We definitely got
our steps in!”
Thanks to Storm Babet, only three intrepid QAs from Millbank Branch made it to the Victoria Gate for a memorable visit to Kew Gardens in October.
While we waited for the tour to start, I took the others to see two very special benches called Remembrance and Hope. The Remembrance part has an enveloping shape and looks towards the Temple of Arethusa, which is a memorial for the 37 Kew staff who lost their lives in the First World War.
The benches are made from the timber of an oak tree grown from an acorn taken from the battlefield in Verdun in 1917 and planted in Kew in 1919. It fell in the St Jude’s day storm on 28th October 2013. There is also a young sapling grafted from the original Verdun oak tree planted near the bench.
Not seen on the day but for interest, the Kew horticulturalists make the commonwealth wreath for the Cenotaph every year. It will contain at least one plant [grown in Kew] from each of the overseas territories.
We then went to meet the tour guide, who said we would remain on the Kew side of the Gardens, starting in the tropics and finishing in the Alps. She explained the Gardens are named plural, as there were two Royal residences at Richmond and Kew and their gardens were eventually joined. First stop was the Palm House which was very hot and humid. I was fascinated to learn that as the Palm House is Grade 1 listed when the trees are too tall, they are removed so as not to damage the building. We bravely climbed the winding stairs to the upper walkway, so we were in and above the treetops.
We bravely climbed the winding stairs to the upper walkway, so we were in and above the treetops
On our way to the Waterlily House, another hot and humid house, we passed the Rose Garden, where many were back in bloom with lovely scents. We then walked through the rockery passing the kitchen gardens and the Princess of Wales Glass House, where the Orchid Festival is displayed in February each year. There wasn’t time to go in, that’s for another day. We ended the tour at the Alpine house, which is the newest glass house, and it is engineered to provide cool air.
We then had a brisk walk to the Pavilion Restaurant, near the Pagoda, for a very late lunch, the obligatory stop in the gift shop on the way back to the train. We definitely got our steps in! The trip was very much enjoyed, and plans are afoot to have another visit and see more of the Gardens. The rain had held off until we got to the station, so all in all a perfect day.
Janette Parkins