FORUM GATHERING

[mark smyth]

I think June/July would be best due to day length

[Carlo]

Bugger day length...what about peak flowering time? If we're in Edinburgh, that's sure to be earlier than June/July--especially in the rock garden.

[mark smyth]

Peak in N Ireland would be May so Scotland could be June?

[Martinr]

Count me in (& the boss). Central Scotland best as I can then do some family visiting. Any time of year is OK but please avoid existing show weekends south of the border unless it's one of the ones in the deep south

[David Shaw]

Sounds good Ian, but lets not just copy the Discussion W/E. Great as Disussion W/e is, once a year is enough.

[Martin Baxendale]

In or near to Edinburgh and the botanical garden sound good to me. Easily accessible by road, rail and (I assume) air. Fantastic botanical garden. Handsome city. But if it's more than a weekend one-nighter, it'd suit me best if it was school hols, maybe around Easter. I guess, though you're thinking of a one-night stay?

[tonyg]

Flybe go into Edinburgh .... and as they fly from Norwich I'm all for Edinburgh   Avoid Bank Holiday weekends, travel is always a nightmare then and expensive too.

[ChrisB]

I'd love to come if timing permits....

[Martin Baxendale]

On the structure of a gathering of forumists, could I suggest going for something not too structured and lecture-oriented or discussion-weekendish, but leaning more towards informal socialising and chatting, with a visit to a good garden like Edinburgh B.G. as the highlight. I like the idea of being in or near (e.g. public transport near) a city like Edinburgh as, if the weather turns out really awful then there are other things to do and to see.

[Carlo]

And I'm sure I'm not the only one with contacts at EBG.... We'd probably be able to arrange for a guided tour, including the highlights of the moment...

In my mind it's the best botanical garden I've been to.

[Anthony Darby]

You won't have those contacts long if you call it the EBG Carlo? Perhaps more like the summer outings we have with visits to a garden, a nursery etc followed by barbecue or pub of an evening?

[Carlo]

Begging her royal pardon...

[Maggi Young]

Hi, Folks, catching up after a great evening at our local group meeting.... John Mitchell (of RBGE, Carlo, not the EBG!!) gave us a great talk on his travels in Iran.... most enjoyable "trip".... scenery, people, architecture, anecdotes and wonderful plants. Dionysias dripping along rock fissures, acres of Fritillaria imperialis, Tulipa,  Merendera, IRIS!! Super evening, Thanks, John!!

For Gathering of the Forum Clan: Central Belt is best bet, easiest to get to, more choice.... it would be fun to have little talks from forumists about their favourite plants  / how they got involved in the forum etc... all very informal. Nice chatty meals, chance to learn more about eachother and where we do our gardening...must be pleasant social event to enable partners who aren't as plant daft as we are to have a fun time, too.... that way, they are more likely to let you come along !!
Several folks have sent messages privately, too... so response is good so far!

[art600]

Great idea - count me  in.

If we can include RBGE then so much the better.

[Martin Baxendale]

Sorry Maggi, but as a staunch republican it'll always be Edinburgh Botanic Garden to me. That's what my dad called it when he took me there age 12 and that's how I think of it.