JULY - Members were treated to a day's outing that included two interesting historic buildings. Travelling by luxury coach the first stop was for coffee at Squerrys Court, a lovely William and Mary manor house set in beautiful grounds near Westerham in Kent. The party split into two and were given a tour of the house followed by lunch in one of the grand rooms.  After lunch the group went on to Lullingstone Castle and were met by Guy Hart Dyke who conducted a short tour of his family home. Next the group were taken round the "World Garden" a creation by Tom Hart Dyke who, in 2000, whilst searching for orchids in the Panamanian jungle, was kidnapped and held for nine months by Colombian guerillas. It was during his incarceration that he thought up the idea of setting out a garden with all the beds shaped to resemble the countries of the world and stocking them with plants from those countries.  Whilst visiting the garden the rain came down in torrents but it quickly stopped. Members were able to buy sample plants from Tom who was happy to answer their questions. Lullingstone castle is owned and run by the Hart Dyke family and last year a BBC television series followed Tom's struggles and progress as he created his World Garden. The publicity put the castle firmly on the map(!) and has increased visitor numbers which has helped to ensure the castle's future. (Report: Brian Leith)