This September, we had a wonderful gathering at our HQ, Torberry Farm for a ‘Harvest Lunch’ – to celebrate our 20 year long relationship with the National Trust. It was a chance to come together with members of the gardening community, designers, press, content creators and long standing collaborators to reflect on what two decades of working alongside Europe’s largest conservation charity has achieved. What a day full of warmth, energy and enthusiasm it was!
Our collaboration with the National Trust began in 2004, following an exciting invitation to design a collection of glasshouses inspired by the remarkable historic gardens in the Trust’s care. Over the course of a year, we worked closely with their team to create a range that reflects the heritage and character of these special gardens, from compact urban plots to expansive country estates. To date our collection has raised over £1 million for valuable conservation work across many projects in the UK.
Image credit: Sarah Sheldrake
A warm Alitex welcome
Guests travelling from London were collected in the our freshly renovated Land Rover from Petersfield station, setting the tone for a day of hospitality and fun. Tom shared a little of Alitex’s history, from our 70 years of heritage craftsmanship in Hampshire, to the serendipitous beginnings of our collaboration with the National Trust back in 2004.
With tours of our factory, design office and greenhouse collection, we were delighted to give our guests a behind the scenes look at the care and precision that goes into every structure we create. It quickly became one of the highlights of the day. Our visitors were amazed at the level of skill, craftsmanship and detail that lies behind each greenhouse – from the first design sketches to the final stages of manufacture.
It was wonderful to give our talented designers and makers the opportunity to speak to all our guests with genuine passion about their work, sharing insights into the process and answering questions along the way. Their pride in what they do shone through, and it was wonderful to see them demonstrate the mix of high technical expertise alongside the all-important hand crafting that makes an Alitex greenhouse so special. A factory tour is always a highlight and fascinating to see the full journey, and many remarked that they had never appreciated just how much thought and dedication goes into creating these iconic structures.
Image credit: Sarah Sheldrake
Celebrating collaboration
We were especially pleased to be joined by Clare Brown, Head of Brand Licensing and Retailer Development at the National Trust, who spoke about the charity’s strategy for the next 10 years – People and Nature thriving – which we are very proud to be a part of. As well as Pam Smith who is the Senior National Advisor for Parks and Gardens whose horticultural knowledge was most impressive! It was inspiring to hear how the £1 million raised so far has directly supported the Trust’s ongoing garden conservation, and to look ahead at how future donations and volunteering can contribute to the impact in the next 10 years.
Image credit: Sarah Sheldrake
Food, flowers and styling to remember
If the day had a showstopper, it was our seasonal feast. Our local café – South Harting’s La Follia created the most exquisite menu, showcasing autumnal ingredients in dishes that were both vibrant and comforting. Each plate was a reminder of why harvest is such a special time of year – abundant, generous and best enjoyed together.
The tables themselves were a vision, set on stunning linens from Bertioli that brought an elegant rusticity, every detail felt perfectly in tune with the season. Local specialist grower and florist Hortus Poeticus provided the flowers – abundant, textural arrangements all using completely British grown flowers and foraged gems to create a truly imaginative floral WOW factor! The table was truly spectacular, and we are immensely grateful to each of our collaborators for their creativity and talent.
Image credit: Sarah Sheldrake
Conversation and connection
Throughout the afternoon, there was time to pause, chat and connect. Guests captured moments amongst the glasshouses, with photographers and content creators making the most of the light and structure of our greenhouses. It was a joy to see our spaces through their eyes, and to witness how inspiring the combination of plants, architecture and people can be.
Before the day drew to a close, each guest received a goody bag filled with Alitex and National Trust treats – a small gesture of thanks for being part of such a memorable celebration.
Image credit: Sarah Sheldrake
Looking ahead
Our Harvest Lunch was more than just a gathering; it was a reflection of what we value most at Alitex: community, collaboration and a deep respect for gardens and the people who care for them.
Over the past 20 years, this partnership has grown from a shared design ambition into something much greater – a contribution to preserving Britain’s gardens for generations to come. As we look forward, we’re excited to continue this journey. With ideas for future collaboration and a growing desire to connect our contributions with tangible conservation projects, there’s so much more we can achieve together.
For now, we simply feel grateful – for the support of our community, the talent of our collaborators, and the chance to celebrate a very special milestone with such wonderful company. Thank you for coming, and our doors are always open for visitors!
