“Seeing how everyone benefits from the sessions makes it all worthwhile; horticulture is a great leveller and a marvellous therapeutic tool.”

anne_talks_1

Based in Potters Bar, Herts, happy to visit groups in Hertfordshire, London, Essex, Middlesex, Befordshire, Buckinghamshire & Cambridgeshire.

Anne has been a Guest Lecturer on Cruises and at Conferences. Please see the Testimonials below

Happy to deliver talks by Zoom especially in the winter to both local groups or those who are further away, you may be at the other end of the country or even in a different one but technology is enabling!

Further queries, please contact Anne at:  anne@anneluder.co.uk. Fees on Bookings Page.

Anne worked as garden designer for over thirty years, designing both public and private gardens; specialising in allergy-free and challenging gardens. She likes to incorporate and encourage the use of edible plants into her designs, as well as upcycling and encouraging the wildlife in.  She was environmentally aware back when conservationists were called “cranks”. When planning a garden, her clients are  encouraged & involved so they are reflected in the design whilst learning how to maintain their garden and develop it.

She has been on the “Speakers Circuit” for nearly 20 years regularly being invited to return to many groups.

At the beginning of Anne’s horticultural career she spent four years in charge of propagation at a nursery in Essex which offered support, tutoring and a sense of purpose for those with disabilities. This led to becoming a part time lecturer at Capel Manor College, Enfield where she specialised in therapeutic horticulture for severe physical disabilities; growing this provision at the college. Today HT is finally being acknowledged for all the things that she and my fellow horticultural therapist’s knew and practised years ago.

Anne, in retirement, is the Honorary Horticultural Landscape Consultant and Trustee of a Natural Burial Ground in Cheshunt – re-creating a British native woodland and meadow.

Over the last few years Anne has developed an interest in ancient and biblical plants plus those mentioned in the holy writings of other faiths. Curiosity led her to look at the mythology surrounding these plants, their usages in past times ie food, building etc and how these plants are impacting on our lives today ie cancer treatments. These are the “Ancient & Bible Plant Talks” all of which are stand alone. Anne has acquired a nickname: The Biblical Botanist.  These talks are all amusing and excellent if you want a quirky talk and not religious.  Where possible Anne uses either photos she has taken  to avoid infringing copyrights! However, a big thanks to  the friends who also send me pictures they have taken – many of which are outstanding.

Testimonials

  • "It was fascinating learning about the tricks of the trade behind some show gardens etc. We'd love to have you back again for a different talk. I'll be in touch."  Carole WGC/Hatfield U3A Garden Group
  • Your talk was excellent, informative and, I think, very helpful to us with all the good ideas for managing our gardens as we get older  - and there were some excellent ideas.  The talk was very well received as evidenced by the end of meeting gathering of our members to talk to you and to take a closer look at the examples of equipment that you brought (Hertfordshire Engineers - August 2025)

  • Anne entertained us with stories about Capel and her time there. I'm sure many of our members will visit, or re-visit, Capel Manor during the Summer (2015) and find it more enjoyable
  • "Thank you so much for your inspirational talk about your work – the audience were really impressed - and for helping people to recognise how they can use different tools to continue their own gardening if injury or infirmity strikes."   Carole Wilcox - Cuffley Horticultural Society
  • Thank you very much for coming to speak to our U3A group today, and for helping us out of our dilemma of a cancelled speaker.  It was a most unusual talk, and I think we all learned a lot about some familiar as well as some unusual plants.  I shall certainly be viewing plants like sorrel and dandelion with new interest, and consider how they may be eaten. (Chess Valley U3A - April 2025)

  • Another stimulating talk that made me and my fellow gardeners think. Anne does not talk - she imparts knowledge and involves her audience. I asked for a talk on Roses but never thought she would go back to the age of the dinosaur. I have invited her back knowing that whatever topic I choose as speaker's secretary Anne will deliver - Ida, Hitchen Horticultural Society