| Most meeting nights consist of a visiting speaker, who either gives
a practical demonstration, such as how to graft a plant or how to deal with
pests or ailing plants, or aided with colourful slides, talks to us on any
number of possible subjects. You can travel around the world without having
to leave your chair with these speakers, seeing examples of wonderful cacti
and succulents in their natural habitat. These speakers can take us to
Bolivia, Peru, USA, Mexico, South Africa or even Madagascar, or they will concentrate
on a particular genus such as Mammilaria, Coryphantha, Echinocereus,
Echeverias-the list goes on and on.
Halfway through the evening, refreshments are served. This also gives you
a chance to browse through the many sales plants on offer (members can offer
their own plants for sale against a small commission to branch funds) and
take part in the raffle, with plants and 'goodies' as prizes. You can also
enter our monthly Table Show competition. All winning plants gain points
that are added up at the end of the year, with the member gaining the highest
points winning a lovely trophy.
We have a large range of pots, pans, marker pens and labels for sale at our
meetings- and due to bulk buying -,all at reasonable prices.
A monthly newsletter is produced by the branch and is free to all who attend.
This is a chatty publication, full of news, views and information. If you
are unable to come to all the meetings and wish to receive the Newsletter,
this will be send to you on receipt of the postage.
At the April meeting we hold a Bring & Buy Auction. Members bring plants
of all sizes and other goodies to be sold by our Auctioneers with a lot of
expertise and fun.
December sees the Annual General Meeting followed by our Christmas Social
evening. This is a fun evening once the serious bit is out of the way, in
the form of an American Supper. There is also the Grand Christmas Draw, with
Cash prizes and lots of other goodies. We even produce our own giant Christmas
Cake! |