EDEN to Paradise was the title of the talk and slide show on gardens, given to Whitefield and District Women's Luncheon Club by Miss M. Curry.

She covered an area from Eden in the north of England, just on the edge of Cumbria, down to Paradise -meaning garden or walled garden - a district within the Cotswolds.

The first garden we visited was at Alnwick, Northumberland, a superb new garden opened in 2002, with curved walled sloping terraces of cascading waterfalls along with jet fountains cascading along the terraces. At the same time three lines of jet fountains cascaded down the sides and middle of the waterfall at timed intervals, giving a theatrical effect similar to the chorus dancers of the Fred Astaire era stepping down a sweeping staircase.

Alnwick also had gardens growing delphiniums, poppies and oriental poppies and flower beds with streams of cascading waterfalls. There were specialist rose gardens, pergola-style features, shaded rock features and a thatched summer house.

Miss Curry showed us gardens at Levens Hall in Cumbria famed for its topiary of the French style and topiary topped by an English style crown. These gardens date from the Civil War period and are beautifully kept.

We had a fleeting visit to Castle Howard with its Georgian summer house, statues and yet more fountains and water features.

The Paradise gardens in the Cotswolds centred on herb gardens with various floral herbs giving a colourful display.

Towards the end of her talk, Miss Curry gave us an insight into what are thought to be the oldest English gardens. Westminster Abbey cloister garden, which dates from around 1089, is probably the oldest surviving garden in England. Lincoln's Inn Fields garden was in existence in 1450, and perhaps even earlier.

Complementing Miss Curry's talk was, of course, her superb photography, which brought our English garden scenery and exquisite flowers to life, giving the sense that one could just reach out to touch them. We are now looking forward to a return visit from Miss Curry.

B.C.