Gather and Mow: The Poetry of Lawnmowers with Francesca Gardner

Join us for an evening of lyrical musings and finely-cut critique as literary historian Francesca Gardner explores the curious role of the lawnmower in British verse. From pastoral idylls to suburban satire, the gentle thrum of the mower has echoed through the work of poets from Philip Larkin to Peggy Miller. With wit and insight, Francesca unpacks how this humblest of garden tools has come to shape our poetic landscapes — both literal and literary.

Franscesca Gardener is a Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholar and PhD student at University of Cambridge. Her Critical Quarterly article on lawnmower poetry has been reported on by The Times, The BBC, and The i Paper, and featured on the Cambridge University website (including a short film for their social media channels), BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, ITV, ITV Anglia, and Tagesschau.

The timings for the event are as follows:
18:00 - Doors to Story of Gardening open
18:15 - (optional) Short tour of the Story of Gardening by Arthur Cole
18:45 - Talk commences
19:30 - End

Extras: Drinks and seasonal nibbles will be provided