Saturday 14 March 2026 – Doors open 10:00am for 10:30am start
Hemingford Abbots Village Hall PE28 9AH
Water in the Landscape
In this historically rain-sodden country we have always been able to take water for granted. This is no longer the case and during this Study Day we hope to discover what water has offered in the past by way of economic development, landscape enhancement and recreational opportunities, together with what we have to look forward to. We are very fortunate to secure some excellent speakers to cover fascinating aspects of water management in the past, present and future.
Outline Programme
 | Prof. Susan Oosthuizen is Emeritus Professor of Medieval Archaeology in the University of Cambridge, an Emeritus Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge, and a Fellow of both the Society of Antiquaries and of the Royal Historical Society. Sue, who is also a CGT Patron, will both open the Study Day and present Pre-drainage water management in the Cambridgeshire peat fens. Abstract: Sue’s talk discusses engineered water management before drainage in the peat fens and its essential contribution to ensuring the sustainability of the wetland grasses and other products that underpinned the region’s wealth. It moves on to the application of a well-known and widespread technology that was utilised from prehistory into the 19C in everything from salt springs to settlements and gardens. |
 | CGT member, Bridget Flanagan, is a tenacious history researcher with a focus on the social history of Huntingdonshire and the influence of the unique Great Ouse Valley landscape. A Trustee of the Great Ouse Valley Trust, which seeks National Landscape designation for the area, Bridget’s most recent book was co-authored with Keith Grimwade, The Watermills and Landscape of the River Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire. Abstract: Bridget’s talk, Watching the world go by: 18C gazebos overlooking the wealth of river-borne trade, traces the origins of an early 18C riverside gazebo, built by a merchant of St Ives. Many similar examples may be found along East Anglian and national waterways. These gazebos seem to relate neither to the garden, nor to landscape views; they functioned specifically as places to watch the passage of trade on the then rapidly expanding system of navigable rivers. |
 | Lance Goffort is Managing Director at Heritage Elements Ltd and acts as a heritage landscape advisor, a project director, and a specialist in the restoration of landscapes, waterscapes, estate infrastructure and trees. Currently working in Scotland, Wales, and overseas on major projects, this year he celebrates 40 years of working in the industry with great teams and experts on amazing projects include glasshouses and gardens at Birmingham Botanical Garden. Abstract:In his talk, Boughton Watescapes and Beyond, Lance will set out the background to the Boughton landscape covering the early stages of re-imagining the historic waterscape and the following 15 years of restoration and re-creation at Boughton. He will cover water management, naturalisation, his wider projects and the future. |
 | Stuart Holmes is the landscape lead within the LDA Design & Fereday Pollard Fens Reservoir Masterplanning team, developing the Fens Reservoir masterplan. Stuart has contributed to several Cambs projects including a masterplan for Peterborough Station Quarter, the Peterborough City Centre public realm strategy and landscaping for King’s College Cranmer Road campus. Abstract: Stuart’s interest in boating ties neatly with his talk about the new reservoir proposed by Anglia Water near Chatteris: The vision for the Fens Reservoir – an exciting destination where people, nature and water come together. Stuart will cover the reservoir’s setting and outline its characteristics. The design proposals aim to ensure that the Fens reservoir is integrated into the landscape as an accessible, valued public space, while improving health, wellbeing, and local economic prospects. |
 | Sadly no longer with us, Steve Temple was an extraordinarily gifted inventor with a passion for finding out how things worked and an armful of patents dealing with the hydraulics of inkjets. Over the course of 25 years, Pippa re-designed their garden at Impington Mill while Steve restored the mill to full working order and headed the Mill Section for the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. CGT members were treated to a wonderful tour of the Mill gardens in April 2025. Abstract: Steve and Pippa gave us a talk, recorded during covid, of their visit to Euston Hall in April 2021 where Steve uncovered some historical mysteries regarding the Hall’s water tower and pumping system. We will close the day with a replay of their talk, From one great plague to another – the history of the superb Euston Hall garden, focusing on the Hall’s water features and hydraulics. |
Members £40, non-members £45, to include refreshments and a buffet lunch
For the time being, our preferred method of booking is by BACS transfer to our new bank account in the name of Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust (sort code 30-99-50, account number 80635768) using your name as reference; please confirm payment by email to admin. Cheques, payable to Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust, may be sent to Judith Christie, Teal Cottage, Fen Drayton CB24 4SH. To assist catering, please book by Friday 7 March.
Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust 