Welcome to the third Hastings Garden Festival! Join us at the beautiful Hastings Museum & Art Gallery for a FREE day filled with family fun, kids' activities - and food and music from Brazil - all inspired by the amazing botanic artist Marianne North, who was born in Hastings in 1830 - and spent over a year in Brazil.
On the way, pick up plants from local stalls and learn about how Hastings is poised to become the Garden Town of the South East. While the kids enjoy circus skills outside on the grass, explore College students' work on display in the Durbar Hall - and sample Brazilian cocktails. Whether you're a mum or dad, grandparent or a seasoned gardener, this event is perfect for anyone with a green thumb or a love for Nature.
STOP PRESS: in an exciting development, we will be delighted to welcome not only the great great niece of Marianne North, Christine Blakemore, but also NatGeo Explorer and BBC100 Women 2024 noted Amazon conservationist and explorer Dr Rosa Vasquez Espinoza, who will sign copies of her book, "The Spirit of the Rainforest".
Her presence testifies to the enduring global recognition of Hastings born botanic artist and conservationist Marianne North - which our project (www.hastingsbotanicgarden.org) aims to mobilise for the benefit of Hastings and its young people.
Talk Timings (first come first serve) in Durbar Hall
12.15 Dr Rosa Vasquez Espinoza
16.00 Christine Blakemore
(BBC Citation)
Rosa Vásquez Espinoza, Peru
Chemical biologist
Inspired by her grandmother’s wisdom as a healer, scientist Rosa Vásquez Espinoza has spent her career combining cutting-edge science and traditional knowledge to protect biodiversity in the Peruvian Amazon.
As the founder of Amazon Research International, she works with indigenous communities to explore the jungle’s untapped biodiversity.
Often travelling to remote ecosystems on the planet, Espinoza’s work includes discovering new bacteria in the Amazon’s legendary Boiling River, and leading the first chemical analysis of stingless bees and medicinal honey in Peru.
She is also an international ambassador of the Ashaninka people, one of the largest indigenous groups in South America.
We would like to acknowledge funding/sponsorshop from Southern Water, HVA Community Nature Connections and White Rock Hotel.
Produced by The Marianne North Centre Hastings Ltd.
150 years ago, Marianne North from Hastings fearlessly travelled the world:
let's bring the world to Hastings today!
