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The Gardening Club was founded in 1967 by Leonard Broadbent, Peter Thoday and Ray George, all closely associated with the then School of Botanical Science. About 70 university staff and spouses attended the first meeting. Leonard spoke about local horticulture, Peter discussed gardening on the local stony alkaline soil amid the windy hill sites of the Bath area. Ray concentrated on vegetables. The subscription was fixed at 7/6d.
By 1975, under the direction of Dr. Robert Ballinger, the membership expanded and day trips were started in shared cars. Refreshments were provided after meetings in the Claverton Room but as charges increased (even for use of teaspoons!) this was abandoned, a sad loss of social interactions. In 1987, when a 20th birthday party was held, membership stood at about 140. Pam Southwell was Secretary, a post she was to hold for over 30 years - both she and her husband are still members. In 2007 at the 40th Birthday Party Pam gave a fascinating talk on the Club’s history.
Today the Club is as active as ever. Between October and May there are eight monthly lectures. As our speaker’s secretary is Derry Watkins of Special Plants, a wide variety of topics are covered by notable speakers from the horticultural world - one talk on vegetable gardening is still always featured. Day trips, too, still continue, Wisley was one venue in 2012. A short away trip in the Summer has included visits to North Wales, Yorkshire and a trip to Suffolk is planned for 2012.
The subscription is now £15.00 and visitors are welcome at £5.00.
Our current venue is 5 West Room 2.3.
All meetings start at 7:30 p.m. Visitors Welcome - £5
All University Staff and Students are welcome to come and join us. We are there for you. Details of Membership: Secretary Ann Brooks 01373 834 978 e.mail ab_botanic@yahoo.co.uk
UNIVERSITY OF BATH GARDENING CLUB PROGRAMME 2012-2013Tuesday 16 Oct 2012 Andrew Grant, Landscape Designer and Patrick Bellew, Engineer ‘Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Monday 12 November 2012 Mark Diacono,River Cottage Chef ‘A Taste of the Unexpected’ December 2012 Ann Brooks,Garden Historian The Botanic Gardens of Bath’ Thursday 17 January 2013 Jake Hobson,Founder of Niwaki 'Art of Creative Pruning’ Monday 11 February 2013 Troy Scott Smith,Head Gardener, Bodnant ‘Winter Gardening’ Wednesday Mar 13 2013 Anthony Archer-Wills,Garden Designer ‘Water Gardening’ Wednesday 11 April 2013 Rosie Hardy,Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants ‘Seasonal Planting’ Tuesday 21 May 2013 Heather Russell, The Garden Cottage at Bolam ‘My Garden Changes’ AGM |
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