Talks & Lectures in West Sussex

Local history, expert speakers, and Q&As that go on longer than the talk itself. Surprisingly gripping, every time.

Talks & Lectures

Around £12

In Conversation... The Climate Crisis

In Conversation... The Climate Crisis Tues 28th July at 5pm > later Minerva Theatre Tickets £12, Prologue £5 Panel discussion following The Great Big Green Week events in June the theatre is exploring where we currently stand in the climate crisis, and consider the role and responsibility of art and culture in responding to it, what it means for us locally, and the role organisations and the arts can play in shaping a more sustainable future. It’s a great opportunity to hear fresh perspectives, reflect on shared responsibility, and be part of an important conversation with others from across the local community. This event brings together a panel of inspiring and knowledgeable speakers to explore the climate crisis. The panel: Amber Massie-Blomfield Panel host. Amber Massie-Blomfield, Director of Fern Culture, which supports the theatre sector to take climate action, formerly Executive Director of Complicité, has produced major international theatre projects and written widely on the power of the arts to drive change. She is the author of Acts of Resistance: The Power of Art to Create a Better World. Daniel Bailey, a stage and screen director, dramaturg and writer, formerly Associate Artistic Director at the Bush Theatre and Associate Director at Birmingham Rep, made his West End debut in 2024 with the award-winning Red Pitch.

Tue 28 Jul17:00Chichester Repair Cafe

via Chichester Repair Cafe

Talks & Lectures

WildRoots Talk: Wild Fizz: Natural Fruit Sodas & Ginger Bugs

SATURDAY £15 Join Harriet in Florence’s Barn for her monthly Gut Health Talk. Free for WildRoots members.

Sat 1 AugWesterlands

via WesterlandsCurated

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Talks & Lectures

Scams Awareness Talk

Found this on Heene Community Centre's radar. Scams Awareness Talk — sounds promising. Click through for the director's cut.

Tue 4 AugHeene Community Centre

via Heene Community CentreLocal gem

Talks & Lectures

Scams Awareness Talk

Heene Community Centre is putting on Scams Awareness Talk and we're making sure you know about it. Job done. Details on their site.

Tue 4 Aug14:00Heene Community Centre

via Heene Community CentreLocal gem

Talks & Lectures

Dry Sandy and Chalky Soil Survival Guide - Gardening Talk

Many of us are gardening in difficult soil conditions, and poor, chalky or sandy soil can make it challenging for plants to thrive. But Juliet has a wealth of experience to share to help you to manage and improve your soil, and also which plants to choose for the conditions you have. Subjects Covered: What makes for a poor, chalk, or sandy soil? A brief guide to understanding your soil structure and composition. How to improve your poor, chalky, or sandy soils, and manage it going forward. Juliet’s favourite thriving plants for poor, chalky, or sandy soils. Who is the talk for? Beginners and garden enthusiasts are welcome. By the end of the talk you will have: an understanding of what constitutes as a poor or challenging soil a brief understanding of soil structure and chemical composition and how this affects how good or bad your soil is. an understanding of how to improve your poor chalk or sandy soil and manage it going forward. a list of Juliet’s favourite plants that will continue to thrive in poor conditions. The Tutor: Juliet Sargeant is a multi award-winning garden designer and regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time. She has been teaching gardening to professionals and enthusiasts for over 15 years. Juliet has a relaxed teaching style, with plenty of illustrations, discussion, and opportunities for you to ask questions. The Venue: Old Barn Garden Centre is one of the largest nurseries in Sussex.

Wed 5 Aug11:30Old Barn Garden Centre

via Old Barn Garden Centre

Talks & Lectures

The Windy or Coastal Garden Survival Guide - Gardening Talk

Meet the challenge of a windy or coastal garden and create a garden that will thrive Fed up with battling against the elements in your coastal or windy garden? Join Juliet to discover our top tips on designing a garden able to sustain the exposed conditions, and feel inspired by our favourite plant combinations that will thrive in your blustery location. Subjects Covered: The challenges of maintaining a coastal or windy garden. A brief guide to managing poor soils, challenging elevations in coastal locations. A brief introduction to design principles, with particular focus on structural planting, wind breaks and plants that will thrive. Juliet’s favourite plants that are happy in coastal and windy conditions. Who is the talk for? Beginners and garden enthusiasts are welcome. By the end of the talk you will have: an understanding of the challenges that coastal and windy gardens bring and their affect on plants. a brief guide to managing poorer soils and challenging elevations in coastal locations. an understanding on structural planting and using windbreaks in design to help manage the exposed site. a list of our favourite plants that are happy in coastal and windy conditions. The Tutor: Juliet Sargeant is a multi award-winning garden designer and regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time. She has been teaching gardening to professionals and enthusiasts for over 15 years.

Wed 5 Aug14:00Old Barn Garden Centre

via Old Barn Garden Centre

Talks & Lectures

Talk: An evening with Anthony Archer-Wills

Anthony Archer-Wills is among the world’s foremost authorities on Water Gardening responsible for developing many of the techniques now frequently used in the construction of ponds and waterfalls. His passion was with water and being brought up with sailing craft and the magic of springs, pools and lakes he launched his own Pond and Waterfall construction business in the mid 1960’s together with an Aquatic plant nursery. Anthony went on to lecture at Kew gardens, New York Botanic Garden, Chelsea Physic Garden, The Royal Horticultural Society and universities and training facilities both in Europe and the USA. Besides taking part in several radio and television programs including Animal Planet’s ‘The Pool Master’, Anthony has written ‘The Water Gardener’ which is still considered the definitive work and used in many colleges, also, ‘Water Power’ and ‘Designing Water Gardens’ together with numerous magazine articles. Anthony has designed numerous Lakes, Swimming Ponds, Streams, Waterfalls and Grottos and Bio filtration systems together with adjacent landscaping, boardwalks and other related features. His work has been extensive in Europe, Asia, North and South America, the Caribbean Islands and the West Indies. Anthony has had the privilege of working for major corporate organizations, the nobility, celebrities and numerous discerning landowners in the private sector.

Fri 7 AugArundel Museum

via Arundel MuseumCurated

Talks & Lectures

Talk: Making a Splash with Anthony Archer-Wills

Making a splash. An inspirational talk by Anthony Archer-Wills—a water gardener and creator of ponds, waterfalls and rock formations. This will be accompanied by beautiful images of water and rock features together with aquatic plant associations. Anthony Archer-Wills is among the world’s foremost authorities on Water Gardening responsible for developing many of the techniques now frequently used in the construction of ponds and waterfalls. His passion was with water and being brought up with sailing craft and the magic of springs, pools and lakes he launched his own Pond and Waterfall construction business in the mid 1960’s together with an Aquatic plant nursery. Anthony went on to lecture at Kew gardens, New York Botanic Garden, Chelsea Physic Garden, The Royal Horticultural Society and universities and training facilities both in Europe and the USA. Besides taking part in several radio and television programs including Animal Planet’s ‘The Pool Master’, Anthony has written ‘The Water Gardener’ which is still considered the definitive work and used in many colleges, also, ‘Water Power’ and ‘Designing Water Gardens’ together with numerous magazine articles. Anthony has designed numerous Lakes, Swimming Ponds, Streams, Waterfalls and Grottos and Bio filtration systems together with adjacent landscaping, boardwalks and other related features. His work has been extensive in Europe, Asia, North and South America, the Caribbean Islands and the West Indies.

Fri 7 AugArundel Museum

via Arundel MuseumCurated

History & HeritageTalks & Lectures

Around £5

Talk: Key Dates in Georgian History

Author Nicholas Travers will join us again to talk about Key Dates in Georgian History. This will be his second published book, which will be on sale after the talk. He will be available to sign it. Tickets are £5 and can be paid for on the day, you are welcome to book in advance by emailing

Sat 15 AugArundel Museum

via Arundel MuseumCurated

Talks & Lectures

Making Hay! Meadow-Planting & Lawn Alternatives - Gardening Talk

Discover sensational lawn alternatives to create a more natural and relaxed feeling in your garden, whilst attracting pollinating insects and increasing bio- diversity. In this session Juliet will share her experiences and explain all you need to know about creating a meadow, no matter how small in your garden, our favourite and most reliable mixes to use and alternatives options to enhance your existing lawn. Subjects Covered: – What is meadow planting and the two main types of wild flower meadows. – How and when to prepare for planting a meadow. – Choosing the right mix for your soil type and location, and our favourite meadow mixes. – Other lawn alternatives and enhancing your existing lawn. Who is the talk for? Beginner and experienced gardeners alike By the end of the talk you will have: – Understanding the types of wild flower meadows available and their benefits. – Understand how and when to prepare and plant your meadow. – Juliet’s Top 5 meadow plants and favourite meadow mixes/ turfs. – Inspiration for other lawn alternatives or enhancing your existing lawn. The Tutor: Juliet Sargeant is a multi-award-winning designer and regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners Question Time, with over 20 years of experience in designing gardens and also teaching about them. She has a relaxed teaching style, with plenty of illustrations, and discussion. The Venue: Old Barn Nurseries is one of the largest nurseries in Sussex.

Wed 19 Aug11:30Old Barn Garden Centre

via Old Barn Garden Centre

Talks & Lectures

How to Make a Wildflower Meadow - Gardening Talk

Discover sensational lawn alternatives to create a more natural and relaxed feeling in your garden, whilst attracting pollinating insects and increasing bio- diversity. In this session Juliet will share her experiences and explain all you need to know about creating a meadow, no matter how small in your garden, our favourite and most reliable mixes to use and alternatives options to enhance your existing lawn. Subjects Covered: – What is meadow planting and the two main types of wild flower meadows. – How and when to prepare for planting a meadow. – Choosing the right mix for your soil type and location, and our favourite meadow mixes. – Other lawn alternatives and enhancing your existing lawn. Who is the talk for? Beginner and experienced gardeners alike By the end of the talk you will have: – Understanding the types of wild flower meadows available and their benefits. – Understand how and when to prepare and plant your meadow. – Juliet’s Top 5 meadow plants and favourite meadow mixes/ turfs. – Inspiration for other lawn alternatives or enhancing your existing lawn. The Tutor: Juliet Sargeant is a multi-award-winning designer and regular panellist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners Question Time, with over 20 years of experience in designing gardens and also teaching about them. She has a relaxed teaching style, with plenty of illustrations, and discussion. The Venue: Old Barn Nurseries is one of the largest nurseries in Sussex.

Wed 19 Aug11:30Old Barn Garden Centre

via Old Barn Garden Centre

Nature & OutdoorsTalks & Lectures

‘Re-Wild’ Your Garden - Gardening Talk

Discover the principles of re-wilding and how you can give nature a hand by creating the right conditions in your own garden to support nature and wildlife. Juliet will be sharing her top tips on how to plant and garden for wildlife in your outdoor space. Subjects Covered: What is re-wilding? The benefits of rewilding on wildlife, nature, humans and our environment. What makes a wildlife friendly garden? How to re-wild in your own gardens, including our Top 5 plants Juliet’s top tips for re-wilding a small space By the end of the talk you will have: an understanding of what re-wilding actually is and the key principles of re-wilding an understanding on the benefits of re-wilding on wildlife, nature, humans and the environment understand how you can create a wildlife friendly garden, and our top tips for achieving this. a list of Juliet’s top wildlife friendly plants Who is the talk for? Beginners and garden enthusiasts are welcome. The Tutor: Juliet Sargeant is a multi-award-winning designer, with over 20 years of experience in designing gardens and also teaching about them. She has a relaxed teaching style, with plenty of illustrations, and discussion. The Venue: Old Barn Nurseries is one of the largest nurseries in Sussex.

Wed 19 Aug14:00Old Barn Garden Centre

via Old Barn Garden Centre

Likely freeTalks & Lectures

WildRoots Talk: Pickling Naturally: Sugar-Free Preserving Techniques

SATURDAY £25 Join Harriet in Florence’s Barn for her monthly Gut Health Talk. Free for WildRoots members.

Sat 12 SeptWesterlands

via WesterlandsCurated

Talks & Lectures

Around £5

Teatime Talk: How your Library helps YOU

Using Steyning Public Library’s resources to support your studies Saxon Room, Steyning Centre. Under 19’s and students FREE, £5 everyone else Talk starts 5.15pm – Refreshments from 4.15pm

Wed 16 Sept17:15Sing and Sign

via Sing and Sign

Talks & Lectures

Petworth Late - In Conversation

Explore Petworth House at our unique late opening on Friday 25 September with the opportunity to see the Expressions in Blue Exhibition and hear from the artist behind it, Felicity Aylieff. A highlight of the evening will be artist Felicity Aylieff and author Kassia St. Clair in conversation. Aylieff and St. Clair will discuss the exhibition, the teamwork behind the making of the monumental works, plus a deep dive into the colour cobalt blue. In conversation will begin at 7pm. The late opening is from 6.30pm-8.30pm. There will be a bar open throughout the evening.

Fri 25 Sept19:30Petworth

via Petworth

Talks & Lectures

Around £30.00

Tree Talk - 27th September 2026 2pm til'

Join us for an inspiring Tree Talk – this is the perfect time of year to choose a tree (for planting in November) that will become part of your garden for years to come. Wander around the gardens and see a wide variety of mature and young trees growing in different settings, helping you visualise how they might look in your own space. We'll discuss choosing the right tree for your garden, considering size, shape, seasonal interest, wildlife value and soil conditions, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and gather ideas. Whether you're looking for a statement specimen, autumn colour, blossom or a tree for a smaller garden, you'll leave feeling confident about making the right choice. Bring a note pad and pen. Tea/coffee and cake will be available.

Sun 27 Sept16:30The Cut Flower Garden

via The Cut Flower GardenLocal gem

Talks & Lectures

Around £0.00

Friday 3 October 10.30 am. Frances Hatch - Artist's talk £0.00

Frances Hatch will talk about her practice. As a former senior tutor at West Dean College, Frances is an inspiring communicator.

Sat 3 OctKevis House Gallery

via Kevis House GalleryLocal gem

Event details on Near Here are aggregated from third-party sources and may change. Always verify times, location, availability, and any price directly with the organiser before travelling. See Terms.