June 2025

Published on June 1, 2025.

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Art in the Orchard

The much anticipated Celebration Study Day on 26 April, 2025 came to life in three stimulating talks and a Guided Walk. The overall aim of the day was to put Rivers Nursery and the Heritage that lives on in the Orchard into the perspective of the beautiful and symbolic fruit being grown in English gardens over time. What gradually emerged was also a sense of the value of the preservation work we do - not only in keeping Sawbridgeworth’s rural heritage alive but in providing living art. See the posted review of the day, ‘Paradise is an Orchard’.


Rob Richardson leading a group around the Orchard on Celebration Day.

The Rivers 300 Adults Art Competition continues (look again at the guidelines). Your work should be submitted between 1 -15 June. Remember you can visit the Orchard at any time.

The article being published on our website in June, Artist and Expatriate: Elizabeth Rivers, 1903-1964, gives us an appreciation of the modernist art of Betty Rivers, the sister of the last Thomas Rivers, father of Nigel and Tups. Her work in Aran and Dublin, so different from the horticultural images of her aunt May Rivers, has continued to gather a following in our times. The author of our article, the American Miriam O’Neal, is preparing a biography and an exhibition in Ireland. Betty’s intense and vivid work suggests another way of seeing the natural world. It is said she too was a great gardener. Whatever your vision of fascinating fungus or the small fruits now forming on the leafy branches in the Orchard, send them into our competition.


A gull depicted in the modernist style of Betty Rivers - see the article published this month about her and her art.

In July both the East of England Apples And Orchards Project - EEAOP - and the Hertfordshire Gardens Trust - HGT - have chosen to organise their AGMs in Sawbridgeworth in recognition of our Rivers 300 year celebrations. Both end their meetings with a guided tour of the . Both encourage non-members who are interested in learning about their activities to attend. Both have to their credit distinguished work over the years in research and development of Orchards and Gardens. EEAOP will be meeting at the Memorial Hall in Sawbridgeworth on 12 July. HGT will be meeting at Church House in Sawbridgeworth.on 22 July. Further details will follow but check the websites of each organisation.



Lichen as well as blossom is found in the Orchard. Chicken in the Woods fungus growing on a plum tree in the Orchard - living modernist art?



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