2009 SRGC Discussion Weekend

[Tony Willis]

I think it comes ashore at Kennet Pans which is in Clackmannanshire which is perhaps why they wanted it to be called The Clackmannanshire Bridge. The old Kincardine Bridge is in Fife but perhaps nobody wanted that to be called the Fife Bridge.

[Anthony Darby]

You sound as if you are up here quite often Tony? Here's a good pic of said bridge.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davydubbit/2991745654/

[Tony Willis]

Anthony

that is a lovely picture. I see it says it is not in Clackmannashire,to be truthful I do not know if it is or not,other articles say it is, and is it of any real importance whether the border is a yard either way.

I have a long time friend who lives near to it and we have followed its building with great interest. The political infighting to get it named has been a joy to follow when a bit of light relief has been needed and an insight into the trivia of local politics. One quote in a local paper when the present name was suggested was 'this is an insult to the people of The Kingdom of Fife'. Clearly the rest of the problems in the world pale into insignificance in the face of this decision.

Back to the plants I think

It is a really elegant structure and beautifully designed

[Maggi Young]

As the latest Journal drops on to your doormats, you will at last have the info you need to book for this great SRGC Weeeknd Event.....



243 days.......

[Anthony Darby]

The journal is fantastic. Two articles in cyps, a comprehensive one from Cyril about growing everything, and it's nice to see Michael Weinert on board.

[Maggi Young]

Stirling Group
Discussion Weekend
2 - 4 October 2009
After the spectacular discussion weekends of the past two years, the 2009 event will be held at the Macdonald Inchyra Grange Hotel, Polmont, just off the M9, Junction 5.  With easy access by road, the hotel is close to Polmont railway station and Edinburgh Airport. Edinburgh, Falkirk and Stirling are within twenty minutes drive while Linlithgow Palace, the Falkirk Wheel, the Pineapple and other attractions are nearby.

The hotel is an extended country house on the landward side of Grangemouth.  The facilities are modern and spacious and there is a heated pool for delegates to use. The registration area, lecture room, plant areas and restaurant are all on the ground floor. Accommodation is in double, twin or single rooms. A few rooms on the ground floor will be reserved for disabled delegates. There are lifts to the upper floors where there are more rooms for any delegates with disabilities.

A booking form is enclosed with the Secretary’s Pages. Please indicate on the back of the booking form if you require special facilities. If you are sharing a room with someone please indicate the person's name. We will help you to find a sharer if you need one. Extra nights are available on the Thursday and Sunday as per the booking form.  Please return the form and booking fee to Liz Mills as soon as possible, but not later than 7th August 2009.  After this date bookings will incur an extra charge of £10.

The registration secretary: Liz Mills, Upper Kinneddar House, Saline, Fife KY12 9TR;
RESIDENT (per person)

Friday dinner – Sunday afternoon tea, double occupancy                £195

Friday dinner – Sunday afternoon tea, single occupancy                £255

Saturday morning – Sunday afternoon, double                   £137

Saturday morning – Sunday afternoon, single                                £167

NON-RESIDENT

Saturday - morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea                          £40

Saturday - morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner                £66

Saturday - dinner                                                                                £26

Sunday - morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea                          £40

Programme
 

Friday 2nd October

16.00                      Registration

16.00 - 17.30                 Plant staging

19.45                      President's Welcome Address

20.00                      The Bulb Group Lecture: Magnus Lidén - 'Corydalis

flora of China - a never-ending adventure, including the genus Dactylicapnos'

21.30                      Small Bulb Exchange

 

Saturday 3rd October

08.00 - 09.00                 Plant staging

08.00                      Registration

09.00                      Optional activities

11.30                      Martin Walsh - 'Plant hunting in the Himalayas'

12.45                      Show opens

14.00                     The Harold Esslemont Lecture: Harry Jans - 'Alpine                                             plants on the Equator:  Ethiopia, Bale Mountains and                                             Kenya, Mount Kenya'

15.45                      Magnus Lidén - 'Dionysia - plants in the wild & cultivation'

16.15                      Harry Jans - 'Highlights of ten times in China: a selection of the best - some ungrowable!'

19.00                      Dinner

21.00                      Plant Auction

 

Sunday 4th October

08.30                      Registration

09.30                      The William Buchanan Lecture

                                Graham Nicholls - 'Alpine plants of the Western USA                                                                         from the Rockies to Alaska'

11.00                      Ian Christie - 'Wild Patagonia'

14.00                      The John Duff Lecture - Jim Jermyn - 'Eastern European Alps: plants in the wild and cultivation'

15.45                      Conference closes.

[fermi de Sousa]

Saturday 3rd
14.00                     The Harold Esslemont Lecture: Harry Jans - 'Alpine plants on the Equator:  Ethiopia, Bale Mountains and Kenya, Mount Kenya'

Is Harry Jans going to try to outdo Halda's talk at The Prague Conference 2007??
cheers
fermi

[Michael J Campbell]

Macdonald Inchyra Grange Hotel,

Maggi, does that the Campbell's are Barred?

[Anthony Darby]

 

[J.B.Wyllie]

No our show sec is a Campbell

[Maggi Young]

Macdonald Inchyra Grange Hotel,

Maggi, does that mean the Campbell's are Barred?

No our show sec is a Campbell

Don't you just love it?   Those Stirling wifies think of everything! Yes, the Show Secretary for the weekend show is Willie Campbell.... you'll be in good company, then, Michael!!

[Carol Shaw]

We're booked - Liz sent me an e-mail to confirm

[Michael J Campbell]

the hotel is close to Polmont railway station and Edinburgh Airport.

Maggi, how close exactly is it to the airport, or would one need a mortgage to pay for a taxi. That is assuming that one can get a flight to Edinburgh Airport.

[Maggi Young]

Michael, not close enough to the airport, I suspect........ here is a link to the Hotel website and some of their travel details......
http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/inchyragrange/index.htm?

By Road
5 minutes from M9 junction 5

By Rail
5 minutes from Polmont Station : but there is no rail station at Edinburgh Airport!! 

By Air
20 minutes from Edinburgh Airport, 45 minutes from Glasgow Airport  : so a Taxi share would be more affordable.

Towns Near By

Polmont 1 Mile approx
Falkirk 5 Miles approx
Stirling 10 Miles approx
Edinburgh 20 Miles approx
Glasgow 30 Miles approx

[Anthony Darby]

I could walk to the Inchyra in five minutes from Junction 5. I reckon it would take 1 minute to drive. Because the hotel is not on a main route, anything that involves some sort of public transport would require a taxi. You just decide whether to take bus and train from the airport and then a taxi or taxi from the airport. I'm only 15-20 minutes away from Edinburgh airport (I work in Falkirk), so if anyone is arriving around about 4 p.m. on the Friday I could pick them up and give them a lift? I could easily take 3/4 plus baggage.