Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
SRGC Shows and Events => Events => Topic started by: ranunculus on October 05, 2008, 09:54:24 PM
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Just arrived home from a truly magnificent SRGC Conference.
It would be so easy just to say; 'Many thanks' to the organisers, to the presenters, to the lecturers, to the fellow delegates, to the hotel staff and to the host of willing volunteers and slope off to bed, but that would not do justice to the three incredible days that we have just enjoyed.
The planning of this annual event was immaculate, the lectures were breathtaking, the company was truly delightful, the catering (both service and substance) was amazing and the ambience was Scottish Rock through and through ...
To anyone and everyone who participated in any way in this 'tour de force' - you should feel justifiably and immensely proud!
Images to follow when time and tide allow....
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Where to begin?
I have already thanked, eulogised and probably embarrassed the organisers of this truly memorable event in a previous posting, but over-egging is still a legal pursuit here in Lancashire so further praise to you all.
From the welcome embraces of Maggi and Ian to the hugs of farewell at departure it was a very cosy affair.
No-one can accuse the Scottish Rock of timidity - newcomers can look forward to being welcomed to one of these events with open arms and heaving bosom (and that is just Ian) - one is not so much greeted as engulfed (and that is extremely jolly after several hours on the M8 motorway or, in my case, on a twin-prop from Manchester airport).
I suspect that the words ‘lack of planning’ could never be applied to a SRGC event but they were beyond utterance at this particular weekend. The two Anne’s (Chambers and Bush - a superb name for a pop group, I might add) had been involved and that says it all!
The lectures were a delight. Robert Rolfe, who presented two feats of memory and linguistics unseen in these parts since the days of Chic Murray on acid (see footnote if you don’t possess a kilt or are under the age of fifty years plus) was a star in the firmament but fellow celestial bodies included Omagh’s Brian Duncan; Lasswade’s David Rankin; Dublin’s George Sevastopulo; Sweden ((and Friesland’s) Gerben Tjeerdsma and canny son of Inverness, Andrew Fraser. (Please excuse the punctuation - it is only 6.30am here in sleepy East Lancashire).
The venue and the service were impeccable, the food was as splendid as everyone had predicted and the company was made up of over one hundred and fifty fellow ’rockers’, so the company was GOOD.
I am tempted to post my images in chronological order but I haven’t the time (as Chic Murray might have said; “the old jokes are often the worst“), so I will divide them into three categories; a) venue and plant sales; b) the Show and c) the celebration dinner and auction …. Please enjoy.
The next conference is in October 2009 … please try to be there … any effort is bound to prove worthwhile.
(The late, great Chic Murray was a wonderfully droll comedian - a master of words with an almost surreal style of presentation).
NOTE TO MAGGI : Would it be possible to locate my original posting of thanks to everyone and slot it in prior to this posting please?
I have scoured the last ten pages but cannot locate it. Sorry to be a nuisance.
Cliff, my little Buttercup, 'tis done! My pleasure! :-* M
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VENUE : BEARDMORE HOTEL, CLYDEBANK : 3rd to 5th OCTOBER 2008
PLANT SALES - Images captured during a lull in the plant sales area
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Initial batch of images from the Discussion Weekend Show
Staging
Berberis Kobbold
Cyclamen coum
Crocus goulymii
Fern class
Gentians
Sternbergia lutea
Three pan entry
Three pan exhibit
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Show opens ...
SHOW HALL
SHOW HALL
SHOW OPENS ...
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...And now for the plants...
Cyclamen rohlfsianum
Eriogonum
Sempervivum arachnoideum
Slate trough
Superb exhibit
Three pan exhibit
Winning cyclamen
Winning exhibit
Winning exhibit
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Plants ... Batch Two...
ACIPHYLLA HOOKERI AND CELMISIA HOOKERI
AUTUMN COLOUR AND SILVER FOLIAGE
CYCLAMEN
CYCLAMEN
CYCLAMEN HEDERIFOLIUM
CYCLAMEN INTAMINATUM PINK FORM
GENTIAN COLOUR
GENTIANA BLUE STREAK
SHOW EXHIBITS
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Plants ... Batch Three ...
BEST CONIFER
BERBERIS KOBBOLD
CYCLAMEN COUM
FOLIAGE CONTRAST
GENTIAN
GENTIANA BLUE STREAK
SAXIFRAGA FEDERICI-AUGUSTII
SAXIFRAGA FORTUNEI EARLY RUBY
STERNBERGIA LUTEA
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Plants ... Batch Four ...
AGNES AND JIM SUTHERLAND VIEW THE EXHIBITS
GENTIANA BLUE STREAK
PETROCOSMEA
PHOTOGRAPHIC ENTRIES
SHOW BENCH
STERNBERGIA LUTEA
STERNBERGIA LUTEA 2
SUPER ENTRIES
VIEWING THE SHOW
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The plants ... Batch Five ...
CYCLAMEN MIRABILE
FOLIAGE CLASSES
IN THE SHOW HALL
PETROCOSMEA
SHOW OPENS
SUPERB CYCLAMEN
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The prizegiving ...
MASTER OF CEREMONIES ANNE BUSH
ANNE BUSH AND SHOW ORGANISER JOHN LEE
IAN CHRISTIE PRESENTING TROPHIES TO DIANE CLEMENT
JEAN WYLLIE ESCAPING FROM THE LIMELIGHT
SANDY LEVEN LOOKING UNUSUALLY SERIOUS :) FELLOW ORGANISER BILL ROBINSON IS ON THE RIGHT
PRIZE FOR IAN YOUNG
The thanks ...
FLOWERS FOR THE ORGANISERS OF THIS MAGNIFICENT EVENT
SIX FLOWERS AND IAN! :)
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Back soon with the celebration dinner and plant auction...
I will leave you with a sartorial taster ....
IAN AND MAGGI YOUNG
BRIAN AND SHELAGH SMETHURST
FORUM BELLES SHELAGH SMETHURST, DIANE CLEMENT AND ANNE WRIGHT
FORUM MEMBERS ALL BRIAN & SHELAGH, DIANE CLEMENT, ANNE WRIGHT AND ROMA FIDDES
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Thank you for showing us so many excellent pictures Cliff!
The venue and the service were impeccable, the food was as splendid as everyone had predicted and the company was made up of over one hundred and fifty fellow ’rockers’, so the company was GOOD.
These are certainly some good reasons to think about making such a far travel oversea!
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Cliff
A really outstanding record of what was obviously a wonderful event. :)
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Many thanks for your kind comments Luit and Arthur... and my thanks to dear Maggi for granting my earlier request.
This was my first visit to a discussion weekend (after many, many years of good intentions) and I had been forewarned (forearmed) about the auction, but knowledge is no substitute for experience. Suffice it to say that Mrs Young was the auctioneer and humour was the medium used to part sober ( ;D) delegates from their rapidly diminishing savings ...
But, prior to that, a brief look at the cutting of the 75th anniversary cake ...
ANNIVERSARY CAKE
CUTTING THE CAKE
CHEERS
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Isn't it wonderful... this weekend had ALL the things that make ME happy.... plants, friends, fun, food and yes, CAKE!!
To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the SRGC there was delicious fruit cake ( well combined with a strong liquor) and beautifully iced with a replica of our logo Dryas octopetala .... I beleive the fab cakes ( for two were needed to satisfy the large audience!) were made by the sister-in-law of the local group treasurer, Peggy Anderson.... very fine cake indeed!
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THE AUCTION
Lot 1 ....
ANTICIPATING THE AUCTION
SOME OF THE AUCTION ITEMS
PRESIDENT; IAN CHRISTIE
A MAN WHO KNOWS HIS PLACE
"A BID OF FOUR BARS OF SWISS CHOCOLATE FOR THE BULB DIRECTOR"! - "SOLD"!
RECENTLY SOLD IAN YOUNG
AUCTION AMUSEMENT
BETTE IVEY
"THIRTY PENCE IS NOT ENOUGH MR SMETHURST"!
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My final contribution to this topic ... only substantial bribes could persuade me to print the remaining shots ...
THE AUCTION
Lot 2 ...
The delightful painting was by Anne Chambers - one of the mainstays of the event - my thanks to Anne and the SRGC for an exceptional weekend.
Where are all the other images taken during those three days ... please post?
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To our great friend Cliff, many thanks indeed for so many great pictures, a good flavour of the SRGC Discussion weekend. We did really enjoy being able to share with you and everyone who made the journey to Clydebank this yearly meeting for friendship, food a dram and the love of the wee plants. The two Ann's and the team were fantastic now looking forward to a well earned rest. I say Haste ye back to next years weekend a tonic ( probably with Gin) or some amber liquid to be sure will welcome you once again cheers to you and all our friends, Ian the Christie kind
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Outstanding report from what has surely been a wonderful event Cliff ! :D
Thank you very much indeed for taking the trouble to give us an idea of everything we unfortunately missed. This report is the closest we get to actually being there.... maybe next year... ::)
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Looks to have been a 'good do'. Thanks for the pictorial report Cliff. As Luc says-maybe next year!
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I've been to 4 weekends and highly recommend them. Do you realise if you save £5 a week from now you will have enough money left by to pay for the event that wont leave a dent in the bank account. That's just one packet of cigarettes. Maybe SRGC should set up a savings scheme!
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Mark, that is excellent advice... start saving now for the 2009 weekend, which will be held in the Inchyra Grange Hotel, Grangemouth on 2nd, 3rd and 4th October 2009 8)
I have around 175 pix to post... so bear with me, pals!
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I'll start with some pix of the show plants... all rather general views, I'm afraid.... not like Cliff's fine portraits, but I hope you'll get a "flavour".... ::)
...click on the pix to see the enlarged versions....
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and some more....
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next......
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more, not all plants.....
Margaret Edwards, wife of SRGC Journal Editor, Anton, sported a very natty handbag, certainly worth a prize :D
Sandy leven won several trophies, though I cannot think which :-[ He can let me know!
Diane Clement, won the trophy for the best plant in Section II and the SRGC &5th Anniversary print for her fine Sternbergia. 8)
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Now for some people pix, as promised.... I believe I have "captured" all of those attending the Saturday dinner, so that is all but a handful of the weeknd's delegates...... you will see that some appear more than once!
Let us begin with the the President and that Cake.... then the fine Piper with the two Annes ( whose organising skills are legion) and our smart President Ian....
as ever, click the pix to see larger version...
President and cake.jpg
piper , two Annes and President Ian.jpg
Piper leads company into dinner.JPG
Allison and Ian Doig, Fay and Stephen Connelly.JPG
Ann and Ian Christie,Liz Mills ,Viv and Anne Chambers.JPG
Anne Bush and Stella Rankin.JPG
Anne Chambers ,Jackie Thomlinson, Darren and Susan Sleep.JPG
Anne Leven, Greta McHarrie, Liz Loch.JPG
AnneBush, EvelynStevens, PIPER, Peggy Anderson.JPG
Anthony Mitchell, Johnnie and Gwen Black,Sten Beckman.JPG
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more.....
AudreyLeach, Hillary Coppen, John Lee, Sam Sutherland.
Big John Amand, Carol Shaw, Ian Young, Helen Amand.
Bill Robinson, June Dougherty, Brian Duncan and Bob Gordon.
Billy Moore, Martin Walsh, David and Margaret Thorne.
BillyMoore .Martin Walsh, David and Margaret Thorne,Julia Corden
BulbDespot, Helen Amand, Carole and Ian Bainbridge
CaroleB, Robert R Henry and Margaret Taylor, David Shaw
Catherine Wilson and President Ian Christie
David Mowle ,Ju and Mike Bramley
David Shaw and Maggi Young in chorus.
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more......
Davie and Maggie Sharp. John and Rosemary Lupton, Glassford Sprunt.
Diane and Lionel Barnwell, Gerben Tjeerdsma.
Diane Clement Shelagh and Brian Smethurst, Ken East
Diane Clement Shelagh and Brian Smethurst Ken East
Fred Bundy, Tony Rymer and Anne Wright
Fred Hunt, Susan Band, Alice Hunt, Anne Leven.
Gareth Williams, Stan Da Prato, Anne Bush.
George Sevastopulo and Anne Wright
Gerben Tjeerdsma. Ron McBeath. Sidney Clarke, Susan McBeath.
Glassford Sprunt, Rosemary Cox, Celia Mitchell
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still more.....
The pic of Jean Wyllie and the "special champagne" shows a lovely bottle of champagne, donated to the auction by John and Helen amand, bearing a really special label, stating that it was to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the SRGC.... complete with Dryas Logo.( pic of label later!)
Gordon and Gill Allan Liz and Mike Hopkins.JPG
half of Kate PageJohn Page CliffBooker DianeClement half Shelagh.JPG
Harley and Winne Milne Sandy Leven.JPG
HarveyShepherd Jean Wyllie Ruth Rymer Helen Greenwood.JPG
Ian B Robert Rolfe and Henry Taylor.JPG
Irish visitors Billy Moore and Martin Walsh.JPG
Jean w Ruth R Helen G. Pat Bundy.JPG
Jean Wyllie and SPECIAL champagne.jpg
Jim Sutherland Sidney Clarke Gordon Allan.JPG
Jim Watson Joan and Pat Gibbs Julia Davies.
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Maggi, is Gwen the Gwen Black who moved to Scotland from England a few years ago?
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Yes, Mark... it was years since any of us had seen Gwen and Johnnie... it was great to have them back at the weekend.... they never used to miss it. Gwen is the Ranunculus ficaria fan some of you may remember from the old forum pages!!
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more Rockers.....
Jim Wotherspoon Ann Sinclair Catherine Wilson.JPG
John G. Rose and George Sevastopulo Ron McBeath.JPG
John Lee Sam waving Richard Barr Bill Robinson June Dougherty.JPG
Ju and Mike Bramley Diane and Lionel Barnwell Beryl B..JPG
Julia Davies Bette Ivey Dora and Wilf Holmes Roma Fiddes.JPG
JuliaC.Susan McBeath John Graham Rose Sevastopulo.JPG
Kate and John Page Cliff Booker.JPG
Kath Rimmer, SRGCHP Bette Ivey Audrey Leach.JPG
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Super stuff Maggi ... now I can christen some of the delegates. It always seems rude to stare at a name badge on a ladies blouse (not that it has ever stopped me in the past)! ;)
Really enjoying this trip down a very short memory lane ... probably the onset of Al ... Al... Al Jolson? :)
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............al********s anonymous, Cliff ? :-X ::)
more folks.....
Liz Loch Margaret Glynn Jean Band.JPG
Lynn Almond Agnes and Jim Sutherland.JPG
Margaret and Anton Edwards Gerda and Maurice Russell.JPG
MauriceRussell Brian Burrow Peter Maguire Brian Whitton.JPG
Mike Hopkin Tony and Gill Lee Michael Almond.JPG
MY worries that there will be no cake left soon.JPG
Peter B Anne and Erle DGardner Jean Mowle.JPG
Ron Julia and Gerben.JPG
Ron, Tim and Gerben.JPG
Lionel Beryl Peter Andrew Anne.JPG
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I'm dreading my photo appearing, I see that on some of Cliff's pictures I was not holding my tummy in!
Don't usually see myself in profile :(
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Don't worry Peter ... I added it in PhotoFlop...
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Good Grief, Peter, look at me in the Forumists' pic..... I look like something that sailed up the Clyde, you are sylphlike in comparison!! :-* ..... and I cannot blame Tim Lever who took the shot :'(
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I have just seen that missing from those present at the dinner are Jim and Muriel Thomson, of the Fife Group... checking things out, I see they were absent from their table at the time of my photos..... :-[ :-\
some more who were not fast enough to escape me and Ian's little camera......
Ken East Hilary and Jim Young Kate Page.JPG
Lionel Barnwell Beryl and PeterB land Andrew Fraser Anne Gardner.JPG
Liz Loch Margaret Glynn Jean Band.JPG
Lynn Almond Agnes and Jim Sutherland.JPG
Margaret and Anton Edwards Gerda and Maurice Russell.JPG
Maurice Russell Brian Burrow Peter Maguire Brian Whitton.JPG
Mike Hopkin Tony and Gill Lee Michael Almond.JPG
Peter B Anne and Erle DGardner Jean Mowle.JPG
Rosemary Cox Celia and Anthony M. Johnnie Black.JPG
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more.....
Sandy, Fred and Susan Band raise a toast.JPG
some of the Pudsey Piglets.JPG
Stella and David Rankin, Alison Ward, Pat Watson.JPG
Sten Beckman, Davie and Maggie Sharp, John Lupton.JPG
Stephen C., Margaret and Gareth Williams.JPG
Susan McBeath and John Graham.JPG
Winnie Milne, Sandy leven and Fred Hunt.JPG
yummy duck terrine starter.JPG
Terry Teal, Mala Janes, Alan Furness ,Margaret Edwards.JPG
Wilf Holmes, Roma Fiddes, Stella and David Rankin.JPG
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last of the dinner pix, I think, here is the man who was in charge....
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no, missed a few....
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here are a few more shots, mostly of later on Sunday afternoon......
Big John Amand.JPG
Helen Amand.JPG
Brian Smethurst, Ian Young, Shelagh Smethurst.JPG
Bill Robinson shows uncharacteristic speed.JPG
Diane and Lionel Barnwell, Gerben Tjeerdsma.JPG
familiar audience members.JPG
Gerben T., Ron McB. ,Sidney Clarke, Susan McB..JPG
Gerben Tjeerdsma and Sidney Clarke.jpg
Gerda Russell and Charlotte Jacobsen.JPG
June Dougherty.JPG
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and.......
left, Peggy Anderson, right Liz Mills.JPG
Lionel B. Darren and Susan Sleep, Diane Barnwell.JPG
Lionel Gerben Diane Mike Thornley.JPG
Maggi and Cliff.jpg
Mr Buttercup Booker and Beryl Bland.JPG
Peter Maguire, Sue Gill, Anne Wright.JPG
Rosmary Cox.JPG
Ruth Rymer and Cliff Booker decide it is time for a seat.JPG
Sandy wonders what Ian did all weekend.....JPG
Sten Beckman and George Sevastopulo.JPG
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and just two more....
that's all folks!
Sue Gill Andrew Fraser Brian Burrow.JPG
Sue Gill and Brian Whitton( a corydalis nat. coll. holder)
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Wonderful, Maggi ... a trojan effort!
Just two very quick points ... anyone who might be worried why the word 'Hospital' appears in a number of Maggi's images? The hotel forms part of a much larger building that is an NHS hospital. It should not be assumed that alcoholic poisoning was to blame!
...And Maggi dear... have I missed the posting of the forum members picture by Tim? If so, where pray is it please?
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Well spotted, Cliff.... I had a few gremlins as I posted and it seems the Forumists have dropped off into cyber space... so, here we go again: from left to right....
Sue Gill ( will Maggi please stop calling me Sue Jill), David (never without a spade in his hand) Shaw, Carol (when does the bar close?) Shaw, President Ian the Christie kind, Ian the Bulb Despot Young, Shelagh (Black Pudding Girl) Smethurst, Maggi ( Forum Dogsbody who wishes she had taken in the seams of her frock to fit)Young, Peter (I'm slimmer than I look) Maguire, Roma Fiddes ( a fell pony in a sparkly top), Cliff Buttercup Booker,
Diane Clement ( didn't see her sorting seeds all weekend) and Anne ( could be mistaken for a pixie) Wright.....
[attach=1]
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anyone who might be worried why the word 'Hospital' appears in a number of Maggi's images? The hotel forms part of a much larger building that is an NHS hospital. It should not be assumed that alcoholic poisoning was to blame!
Actually the proximity of the hospital allows certain perks for confrence delgates at the hotel.......last year we were all offered cut-price surgery and this year all delegates were subject to a thorough mental health scan.... this lead to the medical opinion that we were all, each and every one of us, suffering from that tricky affliction , pleonexia :o
For those of you not in familiar with this condition, I can tell you that it signifies an excessive or insatiable covetousness.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Greek pleonektein (to be greedy), from pleion (more) + ekhein (have).
:-*
Many thanks to Sue Gill for the derivation!
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That's a better picture. I approve of the strategically placed rucksack in reply 44.... ;)
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Diane Clement ( didn't see her sorting seeds all weekend)
That's because you didn't peep in my room. Seeds (actually forms) were being sorted at various odd moments during the weekend. I couldn't afford a whole weekend off the job at this stage!
But, to add my thanks to Cliff's, for the organisers and to the Scottish rockers for a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. I don't seem to have taken many pics (apart from a certain pot of yellow bulbs, which Cliff has featured fully) so delegates will be spared any further embarassing moments.
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What a marathon posting here of an incredibly wonderful and exciting weekend. I DEEPLY envy all of you. Several points.
1 How wonderful to see a picture with gathered Forumists. You beat the SH gatherings by many
members but we try :D It MUST become a tradition of such events that there is a specific pic of all
assembled Forum posters.
2 Ian's bosom does NOT heave. There's not enough of it. Maggi's now..... ;D
3 By golly, Big John REALLY IS big, isn't he?
4 Luit/Luc, you just need to hop or swim across that itsy little bit of water; we need to make a world trip
of it. Get in there next year and be grateful for the chance.
5 Many, many thanks to Maggi, Cliff and everyone who shared this weekend with the rest of us. How
utterly butterly :P :-* 8) ;D
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Contrary to appearances in the photos, I had a WONDERFUL time. Everyone was so friendly and fun, food was super, hotel very nice indeed, lectures absorbing. Thanks to all for a fantastic effort, and it was great to meet the forumists in person at last. Hope it will be first of many.
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4 Luit/Luc, you just need to hop or swim across that itsy little bit of water; we need to make a world trip
of it. Get in there next year and be grateful for the chance.
You're absolutely right Lesley - I'd love to be able to attend - I should and will make it work somehow !!!
Thanks for the posting delirium Maggi ! Great to see all these beauties (plants and... folks ;D)
What strikes me is that so many of the delegates do not appear on this forum (yet ?) - why not ?? There's plenty of space left here for more people to join in ;)
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I'll start with some pix of the show plants... all rather general views, I'm afraid.... not like Cliff's fine portraits, but I hope you'll get a "flavour".... ::)
Maggi
You are much better than you would have us believe. Not at all bad...in fact really quite good. ;) :) ;)
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I am flattered, Arthur.... actually, reason they are even half decent is because I was using Ian's little camera ( Olympus U700) with the flash. I have a tendency to shut the flash off when using the Olympus C-960 because it takes so long to charge, so my hand-held shots are very shakey!
I must say I was pleasantly surprised that the people pix came out so well. ;)
At one point during proceedings, Shelagh Smethurst asked if she could take my photo..... have you a wide angle lens? says I...... no, replies Shelagh.. but I will stand well back... :P ;D
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Lovely to see the photos - it looks like you all had a wonderful time.
I was wondering whether I shouldn't apply for an SRGC grant to drive up for next year's weekend with a car full of bulbs etc from Iberian suppliers and ... errr ... libations :D :D :D
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Well, Chloë, that sounds like a really good idea to me... and I suspect, to many others ...but the folks who inhabit the SRGC grant committee are a tough bunch of nuts to crack.......might be easier to just start saving up yourself! :-X :-\ :( ;) ;D
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Here is the bottle of champagne donated by Helen and John Amand to the Auction....... and a close-up of the label to show the wording and SRGC Logo... great idea for a special celebration, isn't it?
John and Helen are both "Chevalier du Sable D'Or" and have tremendous knowledge of wines and champagne ......If Big John were to open this bottle, he would do so with a sweep of a special sabre..... opening the bottle cleanly with a single blow.... very dramatic and rather fun!
[attach=1]
[attach=2]
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The champagne was won at auction by Anton Edwards, Editor of The Rock Garden, the twice-yearly SRGC Journal, by the way 8)
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The nearest airport for next year's event in Edinburgh. Glasgow city is 24 miles to the west
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As Grangemouth is 36 miles EAST of Clydebank I see no excuse for more of our European friends not attending. :D
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4 Luit/Luc, you just need to hop or swim across that itsy little bit of water; we need to make a world trip of it. Get in there next year and be grateful for the chance.
Lesley, I was thinking to follow Mark’s advice and put 7.50 EUR. every week aside,
(that makes 15.- for both of us), but given the fact that banks are falling down like ripe apples, I don’t think that’s a good way. :-\ :-\
So I asked my wife to find some old socks (without holes) where we can save our money ;D ;D ;D
What strikes me is that so many of the delegates do not appear on this forum (yet ?) - why not ?? There's plenty of space left here for more people to join in
Luc, the people you are referring to are to busy with growing plants and
don’t look on Forum sites so it doesnot help when writing this here. ::) ::) ::)
Or they say that they are to old for computers and such modern things.
At least this is what I always hear when talking to friends about the Forum... :-[ :-[ :(
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Here is the bottle of champagne donated by Helen and John Amand to the Auction....... and a close-up of the label to show the wording and SRGC Logo... great idea for a special celebration, isn't it?
John and Helen are both "Chevalier du Sable D'Or" and have tremendous knowledge of wines and champagne ......If Big John were to open this bottle, he would do so with a sweep of a special sabre..... opening the bottle cleanly with a single blow.... very dramatic and rather fun!
Well... that is one way of putting it - the first time he drew that sabre I thought it was my head he was after ;)
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So I asked my wife to find some old socks (without holes) where we can save our money ;D ;D ;D
Yes, I'm seriously thinking that the little I have in a savings account could be better used propping up the sagging middle of my mattress. Not that there's so much it would make much difference but it could well be safer. :-\
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The nearest airport for next year's event in Edinburgh. Glasgow city is 24 miles to the west
Edinburgh is nearer Mark. Only about 20 minutes by car. I know the venue well and must attend this one!
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A million thank you Maggie for all the pictures, these show just how happy everyone was to share this special 75th anniversary weekend. The SRGC family extend a warm welcome to every member who can make it to our next Discussion Weekend ( please join us SRGC)you will not be dissapointed, we will all share our love of the wee plants ( and some bigger ones). cheers Ian the Christie kind
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[Lesley, I was thinking to follow Mark’s advice and put 7.50 EUR. every week aside,
(that makes 15.- for both of us), but given the fact that banks are falling down like ripe apples, I don’t think that’s a good way. :-\ :-\
So I asked my wife to find some old socks (without holes) where we can save our money ;D ;D ;D
Luc, the people you are referring to are to busy with growing plants and
don’t look on Forum sites so it doesnot help when writing this here. ::) ::) ::)
Or they say that they are to old for computers and such modern things.
At least this is what I always hear when talking to friends about the Forum... :-[ :-[ :(
Hi Luit - there's already 15 € in my sock now and 22,5 € next Monday ;D ... no way the banks are going to get hold of this.. ;D
By the way, will I see you at the NRV meeting on Saturday in Utrecht ??
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By the way, will I see you at the NRV meeting on Saturday in Utrecht ??
I'm sorry Luc, most Saturdays are reserved for driving my grandson's footballteam. :-\
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Too bad Luit, but it sounds like a very pleasant alternative
;)
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By the way, will I see you at the NRV meeting on Saturday in Utrecht ??
I'm sorry Luc, most Saturdays are reserved for driving my grandson's footballteam. :-\
The whole team? Do you have a bus Luit?
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No Anthony, it's an Estate. But with four 15 years old boys it is pretty full. ;D ;D
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Looking again at the photos of the folks at the weekend, I realise that there were a number of shy souls who were in attandance but who did not come forward for the Forumits' photo..... what a shame! I can ID quite a few known registered forumists...... Jean ( I'll sit here quietly and no-one will notice me) Wyllie, Brian ( I'll get the hang of this if it kills me) Duncan, Evelyn Stevens, Margaret Thorne and Darren Sleep.......don't know how he managed to keep out of it? And that's just the ones that spring to mind....there were sure to be others who have registered secretly under strange psuedonyms ...... :P ::)
Missed some others... thanks, Jean for the hints.... Liz Mills and Sandy Leven...... any more, anyone?
Then, of course, there are that large category.... the Lurkers! Always amazes me how many people know exactly what is going on here but stay well below the radar ...... :-X ??? ;)
I see that at present the number of registered forumists is 654....not a bad percentage of the official SRGC figures of approximately 4500 members.....little surprise that so many new SRG members join via the website!! :D
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Maybe they think if they visit the Forum they'll be accosted by Lurcio or, woe woe and thrice woe, Senna? ;) My favourite was Stovus Primus. ;D
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Maybe they think if they visit the Forum they'll be accosted by Lurcio or, woe woe and thrice woe, Senna? ;) My favourite was Stovus Primus. ;D
Mine was Ludicrus Sextus.........and I had a soft spot for the lovely Ammonia ::)