Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: Maggi Young on November 04, 2009, 09:41:46 PM
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We've had the excellent suggestion to open an area to discuss the Talks we've had at our local SRGC or AGS Meetings ..... so here it is.....let's hear who has visited your group lately and what did you learn? 8)
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Thanks Maggi for starting this.
Last night Our group (Stirling) had Gerben Tjeersma as our speaker. His talk on 'Flora of the Kurds' was excellent. A mixture of plants, terrain, close habitat ,and the history of the Kurdish areas was very thought provoking. He also told us about the desire to start a Botanical Garden to display the flora of the region. A talk well worth considering for other groups.
Over to you Liz to explain what Gerben does In Gothenburg!!
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Digital or slides?
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Digital, though some were scanned slides
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I hope you don't mind my saying so, but this thread may need a careful editorial eye as there is a risk of potential speakers being discouraged by the slightest possibility of unconstructive feedback in public, and I do wonder if it should be in the members only area? I've overheard some unkind comments about lectures at our group and i'd hate to see those remarks on this forum. I'm sure we can trust forumists but I'd counsel " if you can't say anything nice then say nowt".
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I'm sure we can trust forumists but I'd counsel " if you can't say anything nice then say nowt".
A wise counsel, Darren. Yes, I think that object of this thread is specifically to highlight talks which have been particularly informative, inspiring or entertaining..... so, yes, positive posts only, please!
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I'm sure we can trust forumists but I'd counsel " if you can't say anything nice then say nowt".
... object of this thread is specifically to highlight talks which have been particularly informative, inspiring or entertaining..... so, yes, positive posts only, please!
I'm positive that Tony Willis presented a very informative and entertaining lecture entitled; 'Two weeks in Chile' to the East Lancashire group of the AGS quite recently!
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I second that Cliff, most enjoyable.
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Couldn't agree more guys - and wouldn't it be great if every speaker finished in under an hour! ;D ;D ;D
J.
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As one who books speakers for my local AGS group, I think this idea is super!!!
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Johnny no matter how hard I try I cant. No complaints so far :)
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Johnny no matter how hard I try I cant. No complaints so far :)
Thanks for the remarks on my talk at East Lancs,it was a bit nerve wracking as it was my first attempt at digital but the welcome Lesley and I received made it easier.
Mark you say 'thats the end' and just stop talking.If you are asked for an hour then an hour it is.
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And the thread may be doing its job .. I have already added one new name to my list of possible speakers for next year.
For the record the last three speakers at the Norfolk AGS Group have been forum members.
Cliff (aka Buttercup) filled in quite magnificently at short notice in June.
Art took us on a whirlwind tour of Iran in September with many amusing anecdotes.
In October several forumists contributed pictures and thoughts via this place to a lecture. Huge thanks to those who helped, it was well received ... and one person professed themselves as "off to burn the midnight oil on the forum - I had no idea it was so good". Others commented on the quality of the pictures.
This month (Wed Nov 18th) we have David Rankin from Edinburgh .... an SRGC member but not seen here as far as I know!
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Probably too busy propagating Tony.
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Many thanks for the compliment, Tony ... the cheque is in the post!
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Andrew Fraser was with us today talking about Scottish wild flowers. Most enjoyable.
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Andrew is a superb speaker - we are very proud to have him in our group! On Wednesday we had a slightly different talk Aquatic Plants of Speyside by Benoit Demars of the McCaulay Institute in Aberdeen. I confess when I realised it was purely aquatic plants I got rather worried - there was also the fact that Benoit is an academic BUT he gave an interesting and extremely informative talk to the group, all the feedback I had was that folks enjoyed the presentation and many members went up to talk to him afterwards. All in al a good evening. Next month will be a goody too - Sandy Leven!
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David Rankin (Edinburgh) came to Norfolk AGS this week. An excellent turnout, nearly 50, rewarded by an entertaining, informative and well illustrated talk ... the good turnout reflecting his previous visit which was well remembered and the prospect of Kevock Garden plants for sale.
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Today at the Birmingham Group we had our annual Roy Elliot Memorial Lecture. The main speaker was Robert Rolfe who gave a talk based on some of Roy's favourite plants. Anyone that knows Robert will know that he is both enthusiastic and a most knowledgeable speaker - in fact the word encyclopaedic came to mind. This was further enhanced by superbly taken photos.
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in fact the word encyclopaedic came to mind
Luckily, those of us who know Robert will realise that in this case, Ian does not mean: large, expensive and sitting gathering dust in a corner :o ;D ;)
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in fact the word encyclopaedic came to mind
Luckily, those of us who know Robert will realise that in this case, Ian does not mean: large, expensive and sitting gathering dust in a corner :o ;D ;)
;D ;D
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Stirling Groups December talk was on Digital photography by Peter Maguire Excellent pictures and lots of information and tips. Some of it too advanced for me but I have made one resolution to switch off the auto function. Thank you Peter
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Jean, auto works very well for me but I might experiment
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At our Local AGS Group meeting last night the President of the AGS (Val Lee, for it was she!) gave an enthralling talk on her visit to the Pontic Mountains area of Turkey last year. (and she handled a digital projector expertly ;D )
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Fellow forumist Tony Willis told us about his trip to Chile last night at the North Lancs AGS group. A great talk with terrific pictures. It's always inspiring to hear Tony talk about his solo trips out to these places.
The group's new digital projector was having a bad day but Tony coped magnificently and resisted the temptation to give it a good kick, which is probably what I would have done! My lectures are now staying firmly analogue.
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Interesting talk at our local AGS Group meeting last night given by Lorraine and Chris Birchall "Plants of the Drakensberg Mountains" following their travels in the area last year.
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I have just returned from hearing Ian talk to the West of Scotland Group on Erythroniums. It was a great show and a good test for our new digital projector. Many thanks Ian!
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Nice of you to say so, Richard.... he just phoned, he caught the train he hoped to and is en route home..... I'll tell him when he turns up here at around 1am that you're safe home and happily reporting the evening!
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Please thank him also for pulling my name out of the Monthly Lucky Dip for one of this month's prizes. And I was relieved to see that the names he drew out were not all Forumists !
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Please thank him also for pulling my name out of the Monthly Lucky Dip for one of this month's prizes. And I was relieved to see that the names he drew out were not all Forumists !
Maybe not, but I'll bet most were Bulb Log readers and a few were Lurkers !! ;)
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Ian does not need any further publicity, but as one who was priveliged to hear Ian speak at 4 southern AGS Groups on Fritillarias and Erythroniums, I must say they were the best talks ever.
Ian is always informative, amusing and the digital presentations are a wonder to behold. :) :) :)
I am giving my first digital talk next month and will be very happy if it resembles a slide show - no magic dissolves etc. My fingers are firmly crossed that the projector operates smoothly and the light does not fail. I am taking a slide presentation as insurance.
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'Courage, mon Brave!'
Arthur, most digital presentations fail because of a lack of understanding in the person setting up the equipment. The fact that there is this tendency to fret about them is an unneccessary fear if proper attention is paid to the equipment settings.... key stone correction, colour balance and compatability..... after all, how many times have you been at a slide presentation when the slides broke, the lamp gave out, the projector jammed.... plenty, I'll bet, but know there is not the "oh my goodness, will this go well" attitude that seems to exist for digital presentations.
Yes, it is important to understand how the presentation will be routed via laptop or projector and to have the required wires and connectors ....but that's true of any electrical equipment.
Go out there and present, Arthur, seize the moment and sock it to 'em!
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I know there is a thread for this subject but I can't find it.
Last evening the East Lancs AGS Group had the redoubtable Diane Clement to speak to us on 'A Year in the Life of an Alpine Gardener' she was wonderful, witty, very informative with terrific pictures and ofcourse as one would expect from Diane encyclopaedic knowledge of her plants. Well recommended by all our members.
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I found that topic and merged your post with it, Shelagh. :D
I rather think that on next Aberdeen RGC Committee meeting will be subject of buying new wheels for Diane's bicycle so we can tempt her up here for a meeting! ;)
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I gave a talk for the first time this century (Sunday past) on reptile etc. hunting in the tropics to the Forth Valley Herptolology Club. Seemed to go down Okay, but I could have given a little more time for the slides on the autotimer. Good fun though.
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My first digital presentation went well and I was given some excellent advice by Graham Nicholls who chaired the AGS Group I visited.
Sadly my second was a disaster when the laptop refused to talk to the projector - it worked perfectly at home!! . Fortunately only a small group who clustered round the laptop whilst I gave my talk ::)
i now know hot to make it all work :)
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i now know hot to make it all work :)
Que? ???
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Our local group had a great time tonight thanks to Ian Christie. Ian showed us how easy ::)it is to propagate our plants. We all went away with lots of cuttings and seeds, so generous of him.
Hopefully they will grow.
I always look forward to the first meeting and this one we learnt a lot and also it was fun.
Just wanted to say thanks Ian for taking the time and effort its much appreciated by us all.
Angie :)
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Can you recommend anyone who talks on orchids?
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Peter Corkhill?
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Pity you're there and I'm here.... I give several talks on orchids and orchid growing. I'll leave it to others to decide if they're up to snuff, but the comments have always been great.
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Maybe it's time to consider video streaming all these wonderful talks via the SRGC website, with either free access for members or pay-to-view (by Paypal :P ;)) for everyone ;D ;D ;D
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Peter Corkhill?
Anthony,
that was an inspired suggestion. Paul is such a lovely man. I've been to his place once and was quite overwhelmed by his knowledge and willingness to share it. And I've had some beautiful pleiones off him. I have contacted him and he appears interested. Fingers crossed and many thanks. :-*
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I am giving my first digital talk next month and will be very happy if it resembles a slide show - no magic dissolves etc. My fingers are firmly crossed that the projector operates smoothly and the light does not fail. I am taking a slide presentation as insurance.
Arthur,
I can only support what Maggi is saying. But I think your belts and braces approach is a good idea until you feel comfortable.
I was so scared before my first digital presentation that I made a checklist of:
a) equipment to take (including leads, memory sticks, starting with the extension lead with multiple sockets, one for the laptop and one for the projector etc.) and
b) how to set it up, step by step.
My list is laminated and sits in the projector case. It makes me feel very secure.
The second thing I do every time I make a new presentation, is try it out at home, projecting against a white wall.
You may be using a zapper, the hand held thingy that makes the pictures go forward or backward and has a red laser to point at details. If your laptop doesn't have enough USB sockets, you'll need a little hub to give you some more to accommodate the USB receiver for this. It will also take the USB receiver for a cordless mouse, I love those, no more wire tangles.
Happy presenting!!! and tell us how it went. :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
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Peter Corkhill?
Anthony,
that was an inspired suggestion. Paul is such a lovely man. I've been to his place once and was quite overwhelmed by his knowledge and willingness to share it. And I've had some beautiful pleiones off him. I have contacted him and he appears interested. Fingers crossed and many thanks. :-*
You're welcome Maren. I, unfortunately, missed the talk he gave to the late bulb show in Dundee a few years ago.
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At last nights AGS South Devon Local Group meeting we had a talk from Julian Sutton (proprietor of Desireable Plants see http://www.desirableplants.com/page2.html ) who spoke on "Making Sense of the Iridaceae"
Julian is a wonderful speaker with a natural ability to put his subject across in a both informative and entertaining way. Well recommended.
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Wonderful talk this evening at the South Devon AGS Group meeting. Barry Starling on "Dwarf Rhododendrons for Containers". What an absolut joy to listen to a first class Planstman who can put over his stuff in words that the humblest amateur can follow and understand. Can't speak highly enough.
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We've had two cracking talks this autumn.
Pete and Jackie Murray - top pics, top knowledge, top delivery.
Kit Strange - 100% enthusiasm and practical, hands on knowledge. More Q&A than we have ever had. Reminded me of a certain Scottish Bulb Enthusiast in the content and style!
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We had Cliff Booker at the Derby Group last night with a very professionally put together presentation with many of Cliff's superb photographs, entitled Cream of Alpines. Recommended, although not if he knows you, you have an interest in Lewisias and he has some photographs of you you'd rather he didn't. >:( >:(
I will get my own back when he's least expecting it ;) ;)
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;D ;D ;D
We must get him to post them!
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Do share Cliff. :D
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How could I possibly post images after such a kind and generous appraisal of my presentation? Many thanks Martin ... I enjoyed the visit to Derby very much.
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I've been 'Cliffed' on these pages, why should Martin escape! ;D
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I've been 'Cliffed' on these pages, why should Martin escape! ;D
He was VERY, VERY generous about my presentation (and I'm saving the better (?), still unused images for another occasion). LOL.
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I've been 'Cliffed' on these pages, why should Martin escape! ;D
He was VERY, VERY generous about my presentation (and I'm saving the better (?), still unused images for another occasion). LOL.
Some people will do anything for praise ;D
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I've been 'Cliffed' on these pages, why should Martin escape! ;D
He was VERY, VERY generous about my presentation (and I'm saving the better (?), still unused images for another occasion). LOL.
Some people will do anything for praise ;D
Absolutely anything!!!
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He was VERY, VERY generous about my presentation
Aah, so that's how you do it.
Note to self: must take more compromising images, dust off the long telephoto lens. ::)
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Well Martin, don't get caught up a Cliff without a ladder. :D
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Well Martin, don't get caught up a Cliff without a ladder. :D
I'm sure he'll take every step to avoid it, Lesley! :D
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So long as doesn't avoid - or accidentally miss - the ladder. :D
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Down in Kent we have just had a thoroughly inspirational and informative talk from David Rankin on growing plants from seed, which illustrated the great value of close observation and an enquiring mind. For me, who has also had the experience of growing plants on a nursery scale from seed, it rang many bells and was really refreshing. Our most grateful thanks to David and Stella for taking the trouble to come down to us in the far south-east.
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I have crampons....I'll wear them any time I intend to step on a Cliff ;D
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Today I went to a day of bird lectures at the British Trust for Ornithology. The best by far was by Tim Birkhead from Sheffield University. He looked at ornithology from the 1500s right up to what we know now. He was also very funny.
I think most of the lecture content can be found in his book The Wisdom of Birds
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wisdom-Birds-Illustrated-History-Ornithology/dp/074759256X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321126150&sr=1-2#_ (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wisdom-Birds-Illustrated-History-Ornithology/dp/074759256X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321126150&sr=1-2#_)
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Went to the Devon/Exter AGS Group meeting last night. Excellent talk from Tim Lever on his 2008 treck to Bhutan looking for Meconopsis sherriffii, and a chance to buy some Aberconwy Nursery plants too.
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At the recent SRGC AGM the talk given by Julia Corden was on the treks to that area in 2008 and 2010... both of which Tim was on..... we saw quite a fgew photos of the lad, as it happens. Both Julia and Tim have been assisted on these expeditons byt various grants , from the likes of SRGC and others and it is terrific that there are lots of us benefitting from their experiences via these talks. 8) 8)
Meconopsis sherriffii is one of the most beautiful flowers imaginable - sadly all we have here now are memories via photos... like the one on the cover of an SRGC Journal from a few years back.... I'll post when I get a minute to find it....
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I was not able to make the AGM, but I am looking forward to hearing Julia when she gives the same talk to the West of Scotland Group next March. Sounds quite a place to go from everything which I hear.
I also think it is great the SRGC can financially support those interested in such trips.
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Here's a copy of the cover picture... from The Rock Garden #104 from June 1999... it's not the best colour representation, I'm afraid, being taken from the pdf of the scanned journal but not too bad!
Alas this lovely plant is no longer with us :'(
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I hear Paddy is coming to N Ireland to give a lecture
and Janis Ruksans is coming.
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At the recent SRGC AGM the talk given by Julia Corden was on the treks to that area in 2008 and 2010... both of which Tim was on..... we saw quite a fgew photos of the lad, as it happens. Both Julia and Tim have been assisted on these expeditons byt various grants , from the likes of SRGC and others and it is terrific that there are lots of us benefitting from their experiences via these talks. 8) 8)
Yes Maggi it was really a good talk. Julia is a very brave woman. I felt sick just looking at those roads, maybe roads is to good a name for them. She showed us some wonderful plants and scenery to die for. Its great to see these places and plants from someone that is full of enthusiasm.Just wish I had the courage to go to these places.
Angie :)
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Hi Thanks for your very nice comments on my lecture last Sat. I will post a pic of Mec sherriffii on the forum once I get back from Edinburgh.
I'm down staying with Elspeth from the Botanic's as tomorrow I am giving a lecture to the Meconopisis Group on the Explorers Garden.
Also Tim will be giving a talk on Bhutan plus Margaret Thorne will be giving a talk on Meconopsis. So it should be over load on Mec's!! :) :)
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Just home from hearing John Massey give a talk on his garden through the seasons - fabulous!
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Just home from the Janis Ruksans lecture. Brilliant lecture including many of his new Crocus hybrids - well jeal! I want to be him when I grow up.
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I don't know how far Graham Gough travels but we have just had a really stimulating talk from him to our Kent HPS Group. The subject: looking at plants in the wild on his travels in Turkey, Armenia, the Pyrenees and the south-west Med. As befits such a fine nurseryman Graham had a particular eye for plants that could be good introductions to the garden, as well as some more oddities like the parasitic Phelypaea. Also good fun was an insight into some of his travelling companions! Along with this of course a few interesting plants to buy!!
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I want to be him when I grow up.
;D ;D ;D
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I was at the Stirling group's monthly meeting last night. I can thoroughly recommend the speaker and topic: Brian Allen on 'Italy North to South'. It was informative, amusing, with excellent pics. most of which were taken by Sid Clarke (retired professional photographer at RBGE) Brian and Sid regularly go on holiday together. The two of them co-authored 'Wild Orchids of Scotland' some years ago.
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Two that I can can recommend:
Graham Nicholls gave a very good talk to the South Devon AGS Group a couple of weeks ago on "Tips and Tricks of Growing Alpines" , and last night at the Exeter Group Meeting Rob Potterton was on brilliant form with "A Labour of Love-40 Years at Potterton's Nursery.
I admit to investing heavily on plants from both! Either of them would be just the blokes to put pen to paper and come up with a new version of Lawrence D Hills' "Propagation of Alpines"*** but bet both would say they didn't have the time!
*** Published 1950 Faber and Faber Ltd. Second revised edition published 1959.
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Many thanks to Diane Clement for an inspirational lecture to the East Lancashire Group of the AGS last evening. Diane travelled up from Pershore despite an ever present threat of snow and gave us a beautifully structured talk entitled; 'Alpines in the wild and cultivation'. Thoroughly recommended and, as always, much appreciated by our assembled members.
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Went up to North Lancs Group of AGS last Thursday to hear a smashing talk by Darren Sleep on Cape Bulbs. Absolutely excellent just the right mix of superb pictures, wry comments and cultural hints. Well done Darren.
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Went up to North Lancs Group of AGS last Thursday to hear a smashing talk by Darren Sleep on Cape Bulbs. Absolutely excellent just the right mix of superb pictures, wry comments and cultural hints. Well done Darren.
Thank you Shelagh! :)
I very much enjoyed doing that talk too. It was great to see you and Brian there.
Halfway through the talk a young woman wandered in and sat down and even had a cup of tea afterwards. Those who tried to talk to her have reported that she seemed extremely under the influence of something (and I don't mean alcohol, or the tea). I saw her again in Lancaster yesterday, wandering up and down the aisles in Wilkinsons. Clearly I'm attracting audiences from all walks of society, and we could do with some new members..........
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Another addiction for her perhaps?
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Another addiction for her perhaps?
She was at least better behaved than one of her (male) peers who came in begging for money at a meeting last year. We really must start locking the door once the meeting starts.
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Typical Lancastrian behaviour I would have thought? :P ;D
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Typical Lancastrian behaviour I would have thought? :P ;D
Not quite but becoming more typical every day sadly.
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She was at least better behaved than one of her (male) peers who came in begging for money at a meeting last year. We really must start locking the door once the meeting starts.
But I only got seven pence!!!
[ quote author= David Nicholson Typical Lancastrian behaviour I would have thought? ]
Initiative, David ... Initiative!!!
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I do believe that we should do all we can to encourage young (what am I saying!) speakers as they make their first faltering steps on the speaking circuit. It was so at our local group meeting last night when a timid youth (what am I saying again!!) from Lancashire, accompanied by a lady who insisted she was his wife but I'm absolutely certain was his daughter, entertained us with a presentation which went down rather well. :P ;D
Many thanks Cliff and Sue for trecking down here to the end of the world, it really was a cracking presentation and the images were as stunning as the gardens in the old US of A.
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I do believe that we should do all we can to encourage young (what am I saying!) speakers as they make their first faltering steps on the speaking circuit. It was so at our local group meeting last night when a timid youth (what am I saying again!!) from Lancashire, accompanied by a lady who insisted she was his wife but I'm absolutely certain was his daughter, entertained us with a presentation which went down rather well. :P ;D
Many thanks Cliff and Sue for trecking down here to the end of the world, it really was a cracking presentation and the images were as stunning as the gardens in the old US of A.
... And many thanks to you and your excellent group David ... not only for the wonderful hospitality, but also for the fine words above ... and my daughter sends her thanks as well. ;D
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Hard hitting, telling it as it is, clear and to the point! Climate Change and its effect on alpine plants. If you have the courage to listen to proof of what is happening to our climate and its likely ongoing effect on our addiction then I recommend you group asks Mike Kendall from Nairn to bring you the talk he gave to the Moray Group last night. Mike is a marine biologist working on the effect of climate change in the oceans but he is also an observant mountaineer and plant lover. Combining these two interests he gave us his interpretation of how things have changed and what may happen over the next fifty years or so. I don't think that I heard anything new but it was presented in such a clear and concise manner that it far surpassed any presentation I have heard before. Probably not a talk for groups that come to meetings for some pretty pictures and a cup of tea, though.
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The new Australian prime minister has closed the Climate Change Commission and believes that it's all bunk. The fact that Australia is a major producer/exporter of coal has nothing to do with it apparently ::)
As Bill Cosby said in his "Noah" sketch when asked what should you do if you can't get on the Ark "How long can you tread water?"
cheers
fermi
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Has anyone heard Carl Wright from the Burren?
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Yup, entertaining speaker.
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A very good speaker Mark, and his photographs are magnificent.
Not only plants but insects and other Burren wildlife that visit his garden.
I think you can find some galleries of his work on Facebook.
He brings a very ecological perspective to gardening.
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Has anyone heard Carl Wright from the Burren?
Mark - We spent the best part of a day with him at Sycamore Cottage & Colesbourne a few years back and I can tell you he is a delight to be with, keen as mustard, does fantastic work and his enthusiasm and passion are irrepressible and highly contagious. David & Ashley are quite correct, he'd be a superb speaker.
Here's the boy upright, his usual stance was flat on his chest examing the snowdrops and most other things.
http://www.google.ca/search?q=caher+bridge+gardens&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=hRVtUob8Eo-ikQeS9oEQ&ved=0CEkQsAQ&biw=1916&bih=1009 (http://www.google.ca/search?q=caher+bridge+gardens&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=hRVtUob8Eo-ikQeS9oEQ&ved=0CEkQsAQ&biw=1916&bih=1009)
[url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caher-Bridge-Garden/173040762714810]https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caher-Bridge-Garden/173040762714810] [url]https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caher-Bridge-Garden/173040762714810]https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caher-Bridge-Garden/173040762714810]https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caher-Bridge-Garden/173040762714810] [url]https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caher-Bridge-Garden/173040762714810 (http://[url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caher-Bridge-Garden/173040762714810)[/url]
johnw
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On Ashley's recommendation we visited his garden when we went to the Burren in May and really enjoyed it. He is a great guide and is very enthusiastic. Must see if he ever visits Australia!
cheers
fermi
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Hardly necessary to recommend Peter Korn ::) However he gave an excellent and very well attended lecture ('Giving plants what they want') here in Cork last night.
There was so much to see and think about that the time was hardly adequate, and many of his passing comments hinted at a great depth of experience and reflection.
Quite fascinating and much appreciated.
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A most interesting talk this afternoon from John Grimshaw who kindly came down to Norfolk to talk about his own garden through the year to the Plant Heritage Group. Not surprisingly a few snowdrops were shown, but not many, and lots of good tips on herbaceous border management with some beautiful plants, well photographed. It is amazing how the garden has developed in such a short time (from Aug 2012).