Primrose Hill Lecture Series

13/11/2025

What a fabulous night in the company of , delighting us all with insights and recollections from her literary journey through the eyes of one of the UK’s most loved female protagonists. 😊

In the wonderful hands of actress and comedian Helen Atkinson‑Wood — warm friend to Helen — the evening sparkled with wit and warmth, from a lively, laugh‑out‑loud Q&A to a book‑signing queue that stretched to the door at .

As Bridget reminded us: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces.” Last night, everything came together — laughter, connection, and community spirit.

❤️ Huge thanks to our volunteers and contributors for helping us raise funds for St Mary the Virgin outreach work.
Sign up to be the first to hear about next year’s guests and other events. And also all the activity coming up including and bash

12/11/2025

No surprises tonight’s event with the brilliant is a total sell out! Gearing up for an entertaining audience Q&A after listening intently to Helen in conversation with Helen Atkinson Wood - sign up to be the first to hear about our future guests and events

07/11/2025

The wonderful , is not only home to and the fabulous but did you know it also has its own brewery that’s been blessed by the bishop? brews its own beers in the crypt and it’s been said that one sip can make your soul feel a lot warmer 😊 so here’s your opportunity to not only come and taste their beer, but to dance and enjoy a live band with friends - tickets available : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brewery-bash-tickets-1825853479909?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/11/2025

Our very own has its very own come along to their bash Friday 14th November, try the beer, dance to a love band and e joy the fun tickets available : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brewery-bash-tickets-1825853479909?aff=oddtdtcreator

02/10/2025

Well that was quite a sell out crowd! In the wonderful surroundings of to the warmth and humour of with the wonderful Viv Groskop we could have listened all night - thanks to everyone who came and purchased a ticket for tonight’s sell out event all proceeds go to charity for the outreach work at . We hope you managed to grab a signed copy of Mary’s new book “I shop, therefore I am’ and thanks to
come back soon

26/09/2025

Mary Portas kicks off her book tour next week, starting with a charity event for the outreach work at St Mary’s Church, Elsworthy Road NW3.

Portas changed the face of fashion retail in the 90’s starting with Harvey Nichols, and then the high streets. Known for her Mary’s Living and Giving recycling shops which have raised £50m for charities, she’s launching her new book “I shop therefore I am’ next week. 

Tickets to come and meet her on 7th October at 7.00 pm and hear her in conversation with Viv Groskop, podcaster extraordinaire, are available from Eventbrite all proceeds for this event go to charity.

Viv Groskop in conversation with Mary Portas: two queens of reinvention, one unforgettable conversation.
From retail to resilience, nothing’s off-limits.
Expect wit, wisdom, and the occasional mic drop.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/phls-mary-portas-in-conversation-with-viv-groskop-tickets-1651448680459?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

24/09/2025

‘Our’ Mary is in the house - kicking off the autumn lecture series back in her old stomping ground of fearless, funny, and brilliantly inspiring. Join us at the Primrose Hill lecture series as Mary shares stories from her extraordinary career, her bold vision for the future of retail and insights from her brand new book. She’ll be joined on stage by Viv Groskop, celebrated writer, comedian, podcast and author of ‘how to own the room’. Come and join in the conversation, followed by an audience Q&A, and book signing with Mary thanks to . All proceeds of ticket sales go to supporting the incredible outreach work of. tickets available from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/phls-mary-portas-in-conversation-with-viv-groskop-tickets-1651448680459?aff=ebdsoporgprofile doors and bar opens at 7.00 pm

18/09/2025

Mary is in the house! • Join Mary Portas for a Conversation That Goes Beyond Retail, Redefining Power, Style, and Purpose
Love, Loss, and Reinvention— come and join in the conversation, followed by a Q&A and book signing on Thursday 2nd October @ 7.00 pm click the link in the bio for tickets via eventbrite.
Mary will be interviewed by Viv Groskop, famously known for where intellect meets irreverence. And sometimes a karaoke mic.
• Author of “One Ukrainian Summer.”
• who makes memoirs punchy and politics personal.
• Comedian extraordinaire with a PhD in awkward situations. Also writes books.
It promises to be a lovely evening. See you there.

16/09/2025

We are thrilled to announce that tickets are now on sale for our final series of the 2025 two unforgettable evenings of conversation, insight, and inspiration.
Join us on Thursday, the 2nd of October at 7 pm for an evening with the indomitable retail visionary Mary Portas, OBE, one of the U.K.’s most innovative businesswoman and a passionate sustainability advocate.
Her latest book ‘I shop, therefore I am’ recounts her transformative role in revitalising Harvey Nichols in the 1990s and signed copies will be available on the night.
Mary will be joined by the woman witty Viv Groskop, award winning comedian, writer and broadcaster. Viv is the author of seven books including the international best seller ‘How to own the Room’, and ‘I laughed, I cried’.

On Wednesday, the 12th of November at 7 pm we celebrate all that is at in conversation with Helen Atkinson Wood.
Celebrated novelist, screenwriter and creator of Bridget Jones, and as executive producer and screenwriter of all four films – including the record-breaking Bridget Jones: mad about the boy – Fielding has shaped a cultural icon.

Helen will be in conversation with a multitalented Helen Atkinson Wood – actress, presenter, travel writer and artist. Known for her role as Mrs Miggins in Blackadder III, she’s also a veteran of radioactive and KYTV, and two time nominee for best female comedy performer at the British comedy awards.
Tickets are available from Eventbrite : https://www..eventbrite.co.uk/o/primrose-hill-lecture-series-6686626015
join us, enjoy a drink and lively conversation, followed by audience Q&A and book signings. All ticket proceeds to charity to continue the outreach work in the inspiring and warm surroundings of Saint Mary’s church, Elsworthy Road, NW3

03/07/2025

What a wonderful evening .pottage - we loved our green spaces before, we’re in awe of them now! Conversations about Victorian rose gardens at the royal parks, stressed roses, wisteria walks and crushed concrete enlightened us all and sent us away with renewed gardening enthusiasm. Thanks also to . What a wonderful way to round off our Lecture Series 👏👏 Follow us to be first to hear about what’s up next !

12/06/2025

11/06/2025

We’re thrilled to welcome Matt Pottage to the Primrose Hill Lecture Series - a true trailblazer in British horticulture whose journey started in his gran’s Yorkshire garden and has grown into something truly extraordinary. At just 29, Matt became the youngest-ever Curator of RHS Wisley, transforming it into a world-renowned destination with iconic gardens like the Exotic Garden, Wisteria Walk, and Clear Lake. His love for both beauty and diversity shines in every project. Now, as Head of Horticulture & Landscape Strategy at the Royal Parks, Matt is shaping over 5,000 acres of London’s green spaces - blending history, ecology, and innovation like never before. He’s also co-authored How to garden when you Rent, proving that anyone, anywhere, can grow something amazing. Don’t miss .pottage inspiring talk at the - where he’ll share his journey, his philosophy, and the future of our public green spaces. It’s a must for garden lovers, urban dreamers, and nature advocates alike. Come and be inspired by someone who’s quite literally changing the landscape. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/primrose-hill-lecture-series-6686626015