Spring News 2026

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT Alison Bleasdale
CHAIR, MEMBERSHIP, VISITS ADMIN, WEBSITE Janet Jones
VICE CHAIR, VISITS, SEED ORDERS Deborah Gibson
SECRETARY Jane Hodges
TREASURER Hugh Wauton
SPEAKERS Caroline Rathbone
SHOW TEAM Anne Jelliffe
SHOW TEAM Helen Parker
SHOW TEAM Debs Duffy
RAFFLE Felicity Smith
REFRESHMENTS Sarah Waller
VACANCY x 2

COMMITTEE At the AGM in January, attended by 50 members, we thanked Sue Bradder for her 15 years on the Committee, latterly as Plant Sale Organiser. We also thanked Jan Juneman for her 20 plus years on the committee, the last three as Chair. Both Sue and Jan have kindly said that they will remain supporters of the Society and both were given heartfelt thanks and lovely flowers at the Winter Lunch.
As noted in the Autumn Newsletter we welcomed Debs Duffy to the Committee to join the Show Team. She and the other members of the committee were all re-elected at the AGM.
In accordance with the Society’s Rules, Jan Juneman stood down at the first Committee meeting after the AGM. Janet Jones was elected Chair and Deborah Gibson Vice Chair by the Committee. We are looking for two new committee members so if you would like to join our happy group then please contact Janet on 0753 085 2418.
In January we held our annual Winter Lunch at The Stapleton Arms in Buckhorn Weston where 29 members enjoyed a very good meal in relaxed surroundings.

NEWSLETTERS We email two newsletters a year, in February and September, detailing events and news for the next period. We post / hand deliver where requested but it is cheaper and easier by email. We never pass on email addresses. Our meetings appear on the diary pages of The Dove magazine and the whole year programme is available on the website as above, together with regular reports. We are keen to welcome new members, so please invite any friends who may be interested to a talk or visit to have a taste of what we offer. Visitors are charged £4 per talk.
We had 99 members last year.

DISCOUNTED ORDERS FROM SEED SUPPLIERS Members get discounts from Dobies and now Thompson & Morgan as follows:
Dobies - 50% for seeds and 15% on other items.
Thompson & Morgan - 50% for packet seeds and 20% for all "other live items".
Orders are made directly by members either online, by phone or by post and catalogues are available at talks or online. Remember to use the Society’s discount code when placing your order. This is shown on the group booking form but if you are booking online or using the non-group form, please email Deborah on deborahmarygibson@icloud.com to request the code that you want.

SHOW PHOTO CLASSES So that you have time to find subjects to photo over the next few months, the following are the photo classes in this year’s Show Schedule:

Natures Patterns (e.g. spirals, textures etc)
Sport - anything from cricket on the beach to Wimbledon
Trees (living or dead)
Visitors to your garden
Out in the sun
Seeing red
At work
Front cover for “The Dove” - a black and white photo suitable for using as a cover for The Dove magazine. This needs to be of high resolution and a strong image linked to one of the monthly editions.

PROGRAMME Deborah and Caroline have put together a most interesting programme of visits and talks for this year. Please see the details on the programme page and use the booking form to book your visits.
This year we are setting up an “Ad hoc Garden Visits Group” and are hoping to have visits in February or March and in August. These will be arranged nearer the time and according to the weather via WhatsApp, phone or email. We will compile an initial contact list based on those who have previously attended visits or who have said that they are interested. If you would like to be added to the Ad hoc Garden Visits Group then please tick the box on the booking form.
We are always keen to have any ideas for future talks/visits so please send these to Deborah on deborahmarygibson@icloud.com

PLANT SALE We will be holding our Plant Sale/Coffee morning on Saturday 9th May in Bruton Community Hall, BA10 0EB from 9:30am. Last year was a record one for the Society which we’d love to beat this year so please start potting-up divided perennials and planting seeds and cuttings. Please label these and bring them along to the hall on the morning of the sale. We also welcome cakes and savouries for the produce table.

ANNUAL SHOW The Annual Show Schedule will be available at the Plant Sale, from the Community Office, Library and the usual High Street shops well before the Show, which is on Saturday, 22nd August at the Fitzjames Hall, King’s School, Bruton, BA10 0ED.

MEMBERSHIP FEES These are now due for 2026, so please pay at the February or March meeting or send a cheque or BACS payment for £8. Details are on the booking form along with payments for any visits you may wish to make or use this form. Please make your booking and pay by 31st March.