Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
SRGC Shows and Events => Events => Topic started by: Maggi Young on March 28, 2010, 06:16:28 PM
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The 2010 Discussion Weekend will again take place at the Inchyra Grange Hotel.
Where is it and how do you get there?
http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/inchyragrange/location/index.htm
Two minutes from the M9 between Stirling and Edinburgh, this old Manor House has been transformed into a comfortable modern hotel with all the facilities that we rock gardeners would expect from a this four-star residence in the heart of central Scotland.
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Two minutes from the M9 between Stirling and Edinburgh, this old Manor House has been transformed into a comfortable modern hotel with all the facilities that we rock gardeners would expect from a this four-star residence in the heart of central Scotland.
Set in 44 acres of ground, the Macdonald Inchyra Grange hotel is in the great location to explore some of the richest history Scotland has to offer. The Wallace Monument (1), Stirling Castle (2), Bannockburn Heritage Centre (3), Edinburgh Castle (4) are only a few attractions within a short drive. There is also the feat of modern engineering that is the Falkirk Wheel (5)just a ten minute drive away.
1) http://www.nationalwallacemonument.com/
2) http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/
3) http://www.instirling.com/sight/bannock.htm
4) http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/
5) http://www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk/
and fwhat about the Blair Drummond Safari Park for those who like a little wilder life?
http://www.blairdrummond.com/
Or, for a fine country house visit, Callendar House tells stories spanning 600 years of Scottish history and is situated amidst magnificent park and woodland. Through wars, rebellions and the industrial revolution, the house has played host to many great historical figures over the centuries, including Mary, Queen of Scots, Cromwell and Bonnie Prince Charlie……. You could be next!
http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/community/cultural_services/planning_your_visit/callendar_house.aspx
But really, unless you plant to extend your visit to the area, why would you need the draw of these other attractions? The local committee has again proved their colours by arranging a grand weekend of entertainment and erudition to amuse and delight you.
Speakers have been "rounded up fae hither and yon" as we say and will make presentatinons on a range of subjects.
There will be the SRGC Show to enter, giving judges decisions to provide happy interludes of discussion between enjoying the Talks, eating, buying plants, eating, buying more plants, drinking and generally having a great time with around 150 like minded folk..... what could be a better way to spend the first weekend in October?
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Details about the weekend and cost, booking etc.....
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Oh, so THAT'S where he'll be appearing. ;D
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Oh, Lesley, that's not the only place Toolie will be appearing... he's on a tour of several Groups, we'll be working him to the very bone! ;D
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He's a tough, Southern Man. He can take it. Better be taking a million pictures, too. ;D
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Not going this year I'm afraid. We are going the the bulb display at RBGE in September and hope to make a weekend of it. Hopefully we will see some of you there.
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A reminder to you to make your booking for the SRGC Discussion Weekend..... I have sent mine in! :D
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And Maggi's not telling fibbies - I've had her booking and cashed her cheque already. It should be a great weekend - even better than last year's.
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For those of you who want to book (but can't find your booking form and want to steal a march on the rush that will result from the publication ofthe next notice in the July Journal!).... here is a pfd for you to print out for use....
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A reminder of the Speakers for the weekend:
Finn Haugli; former Director of the Arctic Alpine Botanic Garden in Norway, Dr. Haugli earned his Ph.D. in molecular genetics at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and was a professor in molecular genetics and cell biology at the University of Tromso since it opened in 1968and was the first Director and guiding light of the Arctic Alpine Botanic Garden, the most northerly in the world. His subjects will be his sixteen years at the Garden, at 70 degrees North and the native plants from the Troms region. .
Brian Mathew; botanist, horticulturalist and author, whose contribution to horticulture has been recognised with an MBE and VMH (Victoria Medal of Honour). Firmly grounded in alpines and a great devotee of all bulbs, Brian is something of a hero in my plant world!
Brian will speak on “Cyclamen in Nature, Art, Science and the Garden”
David Millward is a professional geologist, Team Leader, Resources and Environments in Upper Palaeozoic Basins for the British Geological Survey, and the Forum’s own “Dr Rock”.
You may be aware of his articles for AGS bulletins etc and on the SRGC website….http://www.srgc.org.uk/monthfeature/august2004/content.html
http://www.srgc.org.uk/monthfeature/march2005/content.html
David will talk on Limestone Landscapes and their plants.
Dave Toole better known in these pages as “t00lie” ; a New Zealander who spends as much time as he can exploring the mountains to see the wonderful native flora, though he does have to do some real work as a landscape gardener from time to time. Dave will be the SRGC Travelling Speaker in 2010. See his great posts in the Southern Hemisphere pages. At the D/Weekend t00lie will be telling us about his favourite New Zealand Alpines from the South Island and their flowers foliage and form.
Brian and Maureen Wilson are also well known Forumists from the Aberdeenshire Group. These two have few rivals in the propagation of tricky subjects such as rare gesneriads ,of which they have bred some very interesting hybrids,( e.g. x Ramberlea ‘Inchgarth’ ) and they have tremendous success with seed raising Shortias. They have a particular interest in Scottish native wildflowers and this will be their subject for the John Duff Lecture.
See the index of the Rock Garden to see articles by Brian and Maureen:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/index/content.html
Ian Young, a proud former president of the SRGC, artist, photographer and unapologetic plant obsessive, is affectionately (well, that what we tell him!) known as the BD, or “Bulb Despot”. His ambition is to get as many people growing and enjoying bulbs as he possibly can. To that end Ian has written the Bulb Log Diary for the SRGC website every week since 2003. These are all archived here:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=bulb
His favourite bulbs are Erythroniums…no need to guess what the subject of his Bulb Night talk will be!
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Time is fairly whizzing along....
(http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;48;127/st/20101001/e/SRGC+Discussion+Weekend+/dt/5/k/abbb/event.png)
(http://www.TickerFactory.com/)
and so is the chance to book for the Discussion weekend!
At the moment we have the capacity to have every room in the hotel..... but nevertheless if you want to come to this great weekend, it would be best to get your booking in to Liz Mills in the next couple of weeks to be sure of a place.
As you can see from the list of speakers above, there is the prospect of tremendous entertaiment and enlightenment to be had.... not to mention the convivial company!
Those of us who have already booked are full of our usual happy anticipation of the event....I'd hate to think that anyone who wanted to join us was going to miss out by being late........ :o
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Here are some images from last year to tempt you.....
click on the photos to enlarge them....
[attachthumb=1] cheery gathering....
[attachthumb=2] the judges debate the show awards
[attachthumb=3] Shelagh Brian and Diane - showing how well they scrub up ;)
The Registration Secretary is Liz Mills,
Upper Kinneddar House, Saline, Fife KY12 9TR
Telephone 01383 852321 e-mail liz.salineAThotmail.co.uk ( correct this to include @, of course! ;) )
Please contact Liz if you require further information.
I will post a printable application form here soon though there should be one arriving with your latest journal if it has not already done so.
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Booking form and remittance should reach Liz by the 6th August - later bookings may be accepted but a late booking fee of £10 will be charged.
Booking form to print out and post.....
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WOW :o Fancy using us to advertise it Maggi. We are looking forward to it and Diane is even threatening to drive up this year so she can bring plants for the SHOW. No pressure on the rest of us then. ::)
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WOW :o Fancy using us to advertise it Maggi. We are looking forward to it and Diane is even threatening to drive up this year so she can bring plants for the SHOW. No pressure on the rest of us then. ::)
Shelagh, what can I say.... I know you folks really enjoy the event and it is true that you scrub up much better than the rest of us , so it gives a good impression to the readers!! ;) :D ;D
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Brian says "I trust these images will lead to a Hollywood contract. Matt Damon start to worry. If Brian de Palma or Quentin Tarrantino call give them my number 8)"
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Shelagh; I will, with pleasure, do that favour for Brian.... I will telephone soon to discuss my percentage of your future Hollywood earnings........ ;D
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Shelagh
I have it on good authority that Hollywood directors as a cost cutting measure require all ,(prospective),actors to do their own stunts---you might like to mention to Brian to start training.........
;) ;D
Cheers Dave.
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Having previously only travelled to Aussie(3 hours), it was a bit of shock to the system travelling for the last 36 hours--however we did manage to have a number of short sleeps on the flights today ,(none yesterday),and i didn't quite crash the rental :D ,(although i must admit i somehow had the back window wipers going instead of the indicators while changing lanes ), :o as we drove the short distance from the airport up into the hills of Holywood over looking Belfast city.
Hope to visit Giants Causeway and other attractions tomorrow before heading down the west coast. This week will be mostly touristy stuff where we hope to meet the friendly locals and experience all that you did Angie .as well catch up with a couple of Forumists .
Cheers Dave
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It is a ghastly length of journey Dave but we are really looking forward to welcoming you and Hilda to Scotland. You've done the worst bit now you can relax and enjoy beautiful Ireland!
:-*
PS Ian says he will be in Cork on next Thursday night and Limerick on Friday, that's the 23rd and 24th...... where will you be?
He's off at 4.30am tomorrow for Sweden for a few days.
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Dave hope you enjoy your trip to Ireland the Giants Causeway is amazing, I thought they would make good troughs . I could imagine planting them up with alpines.
I can't wait till I get back and see more of Ireland and meet more of our lovely Irish members.
Take plenty pictures I am not to good with the camera so wasn't able to show mine on the forum.
Wish I was there Maggi could Ian put me in his suitcase please ;D
Angie :)
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Thanks for the comments Maggi and Angie.
We are on this Island for a week and catch the ferry across from Belfast to Stranraer lunch time next thursday,(23rd), so i'll miss him Maggi ,unfortunately ......
Safe travels to Sweden.
Time now i think for an early bed.
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I hadn't realised you were coming to Ireland Dave. Welcome to you both, and please give me a shout if your travels bring you down to Cork.
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Welcome to our Hemisphere Dave !!! ;D ;D :D :D
Have a great stay !
I know some people who will make sure of that ! ;)
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Glad you've survived the flight, Dave, and looking forward to meeting you and Hilda at the Discussion Weekend.
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This chap and his good wife dropped in for a lively chat this morning,anyone recognize him
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Those socks should be MUCH longer, thicker and a much brighter colour!!!!??? :D ;D
Greetings Dave and Hilda ... have a WONDERFUL tour ... so sorry we can't meet up during your stay.
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(http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;48;127/st/20101001/e/SRGC+Discussion+Weekend+/dt/5/k/abbb/event.png)
(http://www.TickerFactory.com/)
Crikey! Only 12 days to go!
Forumist Luit Van Delft and fellow Ducth SRGC Member Cees Breed of the Connoisseur Collection ( http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=1331.0 )
have again been kind enough to join forces to allow us to have Bulbs from the C.Collection to be sold to raise money in thanks for the SRGC Website.
As you might imagine, we are greatly moved by this further generosity, after last year's very successful sale of Narcissus.
This year there will ber a mixture of bulbs, Tulipa, Criocus, Iris...... etc. some well known varieties for the garden ans some more unusual forms and species. A great treat to be able to share in the C.Coll. thanks to Luit's efforts and a more than tangible appreciation from our friends in the Netherlands of the value of this Forum and website.
This is hugely appreciated by the Web Team, as you might imagine,- we send our grateful thanks for this opportunity.
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Sorry for the delay in replying Ashley (last two b&bs had no wireless connection).Unfortunately we won't make it to Cork--we are heading across from Killarney to near Dublin this morning.Hildas family came from around Birr and we want to visit the castle there and maybe find out a little more about the Heenan's '
Lovely meeting you Mick :D , Rosie and family ---Enjoyed the tour of the garden so much and we two Kiwi's haven't laughed so much in along time ;D ;D ;D
To Luc and Liz thanks for the welcome.
Cliff ---socks aside ,i did manage to pack a tie .........
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Popped into the Inchyra on my way home from school yesterday. The first people I bumped into were Dave and Hilda Toole. ;D Alas, I cant' attend as I have too much on this weekend (Vivienne away on exam board work today, kids at tennis, me off to Perth for a rehearsal for Tallis' 40 part motet "Spem in Alium", which has nothing to do with onions, on Sunday). Judging from the plants on display and arriving and the list of delegates it should be a good weekend. On my way out I checked the bar and noticed a good stock of Malts. ;)
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On my way out I checked the bar and noticed a good stock of Malts. ;)
That, unfortunately, few can afford!!! ::) ::) ::) :-X
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They do sell it by the measure Cliff! ::) A malt whisky should be not much more than the price of a pint!
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They do sell it by the measure Cliff! ::) A malt whisky should be not much more than the price of a pint!
You obviously haven't purchased wine or beer at the Inchyra, Anthony ... there will be a lot of delegates visiting local supermarkets this weekend! ;D
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Interesting discussion ! I have to confess that I have no idea about the cost of a dram, or even of a bottle of whisky. However, I canremember that in 1961 when I started my job as an Excise Officer in bonded warehouses and distilleries, that a proof gallon of whisky was worth 37/6d ( £1.78 ). The price probably has increased somewhat since then although the government make a lot more out of it than the producers !!
Enjoy the conference and be kind to your liver - it's the only one you have.
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WELL 2010 DW IS OVER.
I had a great, time meeting old and new friends. I will need a bigger garden to house my purchases especially the tree magnolia.
I want to say a big thank you to Maggi for all the time she must have spent on the tedious work of preparing named bags for all the bulbs which were given so generously. Thank you also for all the bulbs. I wasn't sure whether to but a glass of wine or a world class collection of crocus chrysanthus but the Crocus won. I told myself I could get wine in Tesco but not the Crocuses.
Jean's choice of speakers was excellent and so were the lectures.
Liz's organisation was spot on.
Willie was unflappable as show secretary. He should give lessons!
Ian was master of all the technology as well his lecture on some obscure genus of bulbs called Erythronium. I have learned again that E. dens canis is not considered a Scottish native even if it did appear spontaneously in my grandad's garden in Auchtermuchty in the 1950's.
Thank you all for a great weekend.
2011 - DUMFRIES 8)
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me off to Perth for a rehearsal for Tallis' 40 part motet "Spem in Alium", which has nothing to do with onions,
I love this motet but changing Spem to spam, always think of it as "steak and onions." Best wishes for the performance Anthony. It will be a thrill to take part I should think.
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You made a good choice sandy, crocuses instead of wine which if not cheap as water nowadays, is at least as available.
Tom, haven't you heard of liver transplants? ;D OK, silly question for a serious subject but a (little of a) good single malt is hard to beat.
Sounds like a wonderful weekend was had by all, with Dave on show to boot. You know Dave, that you'll have talk to do back home too. :D Keep the camera clicking.
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They do sell it by the measure Cliff! ::) A malt whisky should be not much more than the price of a pint!
You obviously haven't purchased wine or beer at the Inchyra, Anthony ... there will be a lot of delegates visiting local supermarkets this weekend! ;D
Very true Cliff, but then I would only have a single malt to round off the day. I seem to remember the complaint last year was there was only one species of malt on offer. :-\
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Just home from the wonderful SRGC weekend, after driving home with Knud Lunde, our Norwegian pal and after lunch we spent a couple of hours in the garden, winding down.
Ian's off to the airport with him and I'm catching up with three days of emails after my "hols"..... :-X
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Absolutely splendid weekend again. So much information in such a short time, and so much money spent on irresistable plants in such a short time as well.
When I finished Saturday night with an empty wallet my wife would not lend me any more money from the housekeeping purse. At least next year in Dumfries we might be closer to a cash machine......
Well done everyone !
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A masterclass in organisation, plus great company and irresistible plants. Thanks so much for all of everyone's efforts. It was great to meet TOOlie and Luit and their wives, and the other forumists who otherwise we can only imagine! (Dave thought I was TALL!)
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I'm just back home this afternoon. Its been just the tonic I needed to bolster me for the dark nights ahead. All the speakers were terrific. I shall have to start saving soon to buy the new cyclamen book Brian Mathew promises is on the way. The plant purchasing budget was totally shot on the Connoisseur Bulbs, I'm busy potting them up already. Its been great to finally meet Toolie, and for those of you not fortunate enough to come to the weekend, you've a treat in store if you do get to meet him. His talks were super, and those NZ mountains were a sight to behold, to say nothing of the flora he finds on them. We are all now waiting to see him striding out in his new kit (presented to him after the talk). And it was such a treat to hear our own Bulb Despot tell us about erythroniums as well. He's been to our group to talk about them a while ago, so hearing it for the second time served to remind me why I must grow more of these little beauties. The garden at Tromso is now on my list of places I must go some day, Finn did a great job of showing us why it is such an important garden to visit.
Thanks Maggi for all your work getting those bulb bags ready, Thanks Luit for the bulbs, Thanks Ian for your technical tricks, Willi for your entertaining auction, and everyone I met and chatted with during the weekend!
Fellow forum members, you MUST save up to come to the next one, these weekends are too good to miss! And finally, hats off to Liz, Jean and your team, you've done a splendid job!
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So glad you all had such a good time . I am green with envy that I did not manage to come this year. Never mind there's always next year. I will keep away from other people's horses and have sold my unpredictable one so hopefully will be fit.
I am still waiting to see some pics of the show and of the people enjoying themselves. Who won the Forrest medal and with which plant?
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Forrest medal was not awarded, Roma. I just had to go and ask Ian that because the only glimpses of the show I had was when I used the show room as a thoroughfare..... it was a busy weeekend! There were quite a lot of pretty plants, nonetheless and Sandy won the prettiest trophy, and Stan da Prato seemed to win everything else!
Judy and Howard Humphreys had their wonderful huge wooden gentian filled trough that was there last year.... though Ian doesn't seem to have a photo... :-X
Stan was taking a lot of pix so perhaps he will come to the rescue later.... ;)
Here are some pix in random order, just as I've re-sized them off Ian's camera....
2 oxalis and Sax.fortunei Fumiko
Aciphylla subflabellata Raoulia haastii
Aruncus_aethusifolius
bench_colour
3 cyclamen .... Sandy's .....I think
Aberconwy nursery display
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and some more.....
a couple of views of the benches
Brachyanthus ????? Aeschynanthus from Aberconwy
Cornus canadensis " "
Pernettya 'Pearls' " "
Gentiana farreri SilkenGroup
Gentiana 'Silken Giant' .... both gentians from Aberconwy
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Celmisia longifolia
Colchicum szovitsii.... not!
Coprosma trio ... from the back... 'Pacific ???' ; 'Fireburst' and 'Karo Red'
Cotyledon orbiculare and Celmisia semi-cordata
Crocus kotschyanus cappadocicus from Margaret and Henry Taylor
Cyclamen hederifolium trio
other cyclamen.....
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Nice to hear that everyone had a great time and spent plenty of money, nice also to hear that I am not the only one that comes away with empty wallets, my husbands is always empty ;D wish I had gone now.
Maybe it was a good job I hadn't gone, stuck in the house for two days with another tummy bug. The dog had to go to the vet as well.
Need to see some more pictures to cheer me up.
Angie :)
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Maggie not your fault but Colchicum szovitsii is a spring flower.I did notice it but did not get round to telling Willie.
Jean
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Cyclamen graecum, obtained from the medal winning plant of the late Mrs Alice Spensley
Cysopteris dickieana.... cute little fern.... I'm guessing from Harvey Shepherd, fern buff of his parish!
Eucomis vandermerwei
Fish box garden
Winning mini garden from Stan
Salix retusa showing autumn colour
More super colours... from the Smethursts, I think
show view
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Poor Angela, sorry to hear neither you nor Benson is great.... but I have some bulbs for you from the Connoiseur Collection to cheer you up...... once I get them sorted out from the ones I got for me and Ian's mum and sister!
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In the show room...
Sandy and a little cutie....
the little cutie.... Crocus mathewi
one for the Galanthophiles.... G. reginae-olgae
Oxalis massoniana
The trophies
Stan with just some of those he won!
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I must mention that the wine prices had improved this year.....Jean and Liz had had strong words with the managment and it obviously worked so no excursions to the supermarket where arranged, as far as I know! ;D
The food was great...... not that that was my most pressing criterion for the success fo the weekend, of course...... ::)
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Love the Eucomis vandermerwei 8) and the Crocus massoniana
Looks as if there were plenty of lovely plants to see.
Thanks Maggi, that was really nice of you taking them back to me. Like you say something to cheer me up, thanks.
Benson had a wee stroke so I don't want to leave him for a few days. Vet said he should be ok but he was supposed to get a operation on Thursday but he has cancelled till he is better.
Angie :)
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Thanks Maggi for posting pictures of those lovely plants. I feel better now. Hope you did not think I was being too impatient. I think the ?brachyanthus is Aeschynanthus, a gesneriad. I thought they were all tender plants.
Sorry you've been ill Angela. Hope you and Benson are feeling better soon.
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The whole weekend was really enjoyable... though the journey there for most of us through absolutely ghastly torrential wind and rain could have been easier!
We were again warmly welcomed by Elinor and David Milne .... local stalwarts more usually spotted working flat out in the Tearoom at Dunblane events.
Though quite a few chums were prevented from joining us by illness ( or at least needing recuperation) such as Gerda and Maurice Russell, Joan and Ron Beeston, Gillian Clarkson (Lionel came along though) and Roma... or other pressing engagements it was super to see a lot of new names on the list of attendees (which had kept Glassford busy making up new name badges, in additon to his printing of the programme, notices and slide lists etc!!) and to meet some lovely new members coming along for the first time.
I haven't got too many photos but here we go.....
Arthur Nicholls, Sue Gill and Anne Bush, with in ther background to the right, Hilary Luker, Peter and Berly Bland.
SRGC Hon. Pres. Bette Ivey and Ken East
Dan Robbins, Melvyn Jope and Diane Clement... who was the birthday girl that day!
Our charming visitors from New Zealand... Hilda and Dave Toole
Glassford Sprunt, Peter Semple, Liz Semple, David Millward
Kath Rimmer, Audrey Leach, Catherine Denton and Bette Ivey
Lionel and Diane Barnwell
Lionel Clarkson, surviving without his other half, Gillian to whom we send best wishes.
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Thanks for the reminder about the Colchicum , Jean, and for your help too, Roma.....Aeschynanthus is much better!
The talks were all terrific, the bulb exchange went like a rocket and the sales at the stalls of John Amand, Aberconwy , the club palnt stall and the sale of bulbs from Michael Northway's collection ( brought by Ian and Carole Bainbridge) seemed to go well.
I say seemed because I saw lots of bags of plants being carried about but I spent a lot of time selling the Connoiseur Collection bUlbs that Luit and Vroni van Delft brought over , with the co-operation of Cees Breed , the Connoisseur himself, to be sold in aid of SRGC Website funds.
Luit had already sent me a list of bulbs and I had prepared paper bags with the names, quantity and brief description , at least the colour, of the bulbs and the suggested price donation for them. On Friday afternoon, John Graham and Brian Burrow helped carry them inside and a busy band of female Forumists set about packing them inot their bags..... this year we were greatly assisted in this task by having tables laid out for us to work on... last year we were on the floor.... it was much less easy that way! We made great progress with our task ..... our work gang was Anne Wright, Christine Boulby, Diane Clement, Sue Gill and myself. We had volunteers John and Rosemary Lupton standing by if we needed them but we soon had all packed and ready.
We began our Bulb extravanganza on Saturday morning and soon nearly everyone was clutching their brown paper bags full of lumpy goodness!
By Sunday there was not much left and soon every last packet was GONE!
Sue, Christine and I were really pleased with our efforts... we set to to count the money.... this amazingly generous donation to the Club had raised £1315 pounds.... or was it £1318 ? I was so excited I can't remember!
Thanks and Well done to all those of you with lots of bulbs to plant this week!!
I was so grateful to all the helpers for their work and of course, a BIG THANKS to Luit, Vroni and Cees for making this possible. It is a remarkable measure of their appreciation for the work of the SRGC Website and I can tell you all that it is very sincerely appreciated.
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Hereare ....
Luit and Vroni with Shelagh Smethurst..... in the background are David Briggs, Pat Watson, Margaret Briggs and Liz Loch
and the audience at the weekend ready for a talk to begin....... President ( and event registrar) Liz Mills is front left in the white top
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Liz Mills and Ann Christie, being serenaded by Brian Smethurst
Mala Janes, Alan Furness and Ann Brown
Ron McBeath, Knud Lunde and Keith Lever
Two more visitors from the Netherlands... Wim and Hanny de Goede
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On Saturday after dinner there was an auction, conducted by Show Secretary Willie Campbell, with a wide selectoion of palnats bulbs and books, kindly donated by the likes of Helen and John Amand who always gives bulbs to be auctioned, Wilf and Dora Holmes who gave books, Bob Maxwell ( who didn't attend the weekend but nevertheless sent two enormous clay pots of magnificent Primula marginata down to the event with us). Wim and Hanny de Goede donated bulbs to the auction, as did Arthur Nicholls and as to the donor of plants such as theMagnolia Sandy bought, I don't konw.... but a lot of folks were very kind and a lot of folks were happy bidders! Well done to them all!
So many folk worked hard to get everything ticketyboo...... it was nice that Ian (Young) who was a speaker on Friday night, but who also worked all weekend as the sound and projection man was given kind thanks for his work.
Ian Doig kept control of the lights ... and took some pix of the Forumists which we have (rather inexpertly) cobbled together!
Ian Steele , Chip Lima, Sam Sutherland and John Graham helped with the show , tables etc..... goodness knows how many folk I may have missed out who all gave their time and trouble to make the weekend such a delight.... thanks to you all......especially to Jean and Liz!!! :-* :-*
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Her's the best pic of the Forumist and Lurkers: t Funny thing.... there are a couple of dozen or so in the photos but I've just had a rummage through the attendee list and I reckon out of 144 plus folk there, I know that around 70 are either registered Forum members or else admitted "lurkers"! They must be awfully camera shy! :-\
I've just realised that there are one or two off to the extreme right of the shot who are missing in all the pix, so might as well stick with the main group.....
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The misnamed Colchicum could be C. corsicum?
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Thanks for all the photos, Maggi. They bring back lots of happy memories of the Weekend, its plants and, of course, its people.
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Thanks Maggi for the pictures, everyone looked as if they were having a wonderful time.
I always say gardeners are happy people and that we can see, smiles all around :D
Angie :)
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Lovely to see all these pictures of the names we know, if not the people themselves. I don't think I've ever seen our Dave looking so smug. ;D He must be very happy among the Scots and English.
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Dave and Hilda are safely abed, so I can tell you this in confidence.....
His talks were excellent and though he said he was quite nervous to start with it wasn't noticeable. We saw some truly beautiful NZ scenery and some fantastic plants....I'm sure the rest of the audience enjoyed it as much as I did.
We also had the pleasure of their company during the weekend of course and today they came down to visit, staying overnight here before driving all the way to Gatehouse of Fleet in the south-west tomorrow. Then back up to stay with Jean over the weekend a while Dave's talking to the Glasgow groups . The itinerary is rather odd... shame they have to drive so far but I suppose there's a reason for it. :-X
Anyway, the two of them are pretty tired but having a good time and leavinbg happy audiences in their wake, so all in all something of a success, I'd say! :)
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Pleased to hear Dave and Hilda are having a good time and Dave's talks going well. Give them our love if you see them again and we'll be very happy to welcome them home again.
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Looks (from the pics) and from other participants comments it was a great weekend.
Maggi, Has any thought been given to publishing some of the presentations of the weekend either on the web site or in the "Rock Gardener" so that international members can get some of the benefit of these expert presentations? I realise most of them would be illustrated presentations - but would it be too difficult to ask the presenters for a publication piece?
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Hi John
Our ever vigilant Editor, Anton Edwards, was at the weekend and I suspect he spent a lot of time collaring the various speakers for an article in future issues of the Journal. I'll try to update you on his plans as soon as I know more. Liz
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Thanks Liz, look forward to further information
John
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Finally managed to sort out our laptop wireless connection problems ........
Thanks for the comments Maggi and Lesley.
We haven't found the distances too taxing however we are finding the road traffic ,.especially on the motorways is requiring our full concentration and we haven't reached the big smoke of London,(heathrow airport), yet..... :o
Currently in the lovely village of Kirkcudbright. south west Scotland.
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Kirkcudbright
I'd like to hear you get your tongue round that one Dave! ;D
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Kirkcudbright
I'd like to hear you get your tongue round that one Dave! ;D
It was painful, Anthony.... I gave him lessons though! ;D
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Kirkcudbright
I'd like to hear you get your tongue round that one Dave! ;D
Kirkcudbright
I'd like to hear you get your tongue round that one Dave! ;D
It was painful, Anthony.... I gave him lessons though! ;D
Not sure you were all that successful Maggi....
as (Anthony) i'm still saying it as Kirk (as in Captain Kirk)--cud (as in spud). and bright (as in not so) ;) ;)
Cheers dave (using Jeans computer)
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;D ;D ;D Well, the Kirk bit is correct Dave. ::) Try Kir...coo..bree! 8)
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Kirkcudbright
I'd like to hear you get your tongue round that one Dave! ;D
cur (as in dog) coo (as in a Scottish cow) bree? (as in a French cheese). I had a great granny came from there.
Sorry, didn't see that Anthony had already translated. :D
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Dave, you'll be unhappy to hear the Cantabrians took home the Ranfurly shield last night. Stuart Murray will be unbearable for weeks to come. John Banks was beaten for Mayor of Auckland by 40,000 votes! It never occurred to the poor fool he wouldn't win.
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Good evening,
- or Good morning, if more appropriate. I guess the sun never really sets on the SRGC Forum.
Late feedback from an occasional Lurker, and a very pleased and impressed Discussion Weekend participant. Thank you to all involved in making it such an enjoyable, inspiring, informative and, of course, friendly time. This was my third Discussion Weekend, one in Elgin and one in Clydebank before, and this year's was every bit as good as the first two. The SRGC has clearly come up with a very good format for an informal formal event, where the serious never gets in the way of the fun, or the other way around, in fact, the two seem inseparable. It's the people, of course, it's remarkable, and it bodes well for next year(s). If you haven't been to one of these weekends, my recommendation is certainly that if you get only half a chance, go for it! OK, I realize I'm lucky to live just a short hop from Scotland.
Thank you again all for a wonderful weekend, and to Ian and Maggi for a very enjoyable ride to, and afternoon in, Aberdeen.
All the best,
Knud, in Stavanger on the south-west coast of Norway.
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Hi Knud I really wish I had went. You sound as if you had a really good time and I can see that I missed out big time. Next time I am not even going to think about it I am going.
Angie :)
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Last night Dave Toole addressed the Otago Alpine Garden Group on his travels in the UK and Scotland. It was an excellent talk and very enjoyable evening with photos of the various places he went to along with many shots of private gardens of the SRGC members he visited. Some stunning plants and gardens and as Dave said its just a pity he was not there in spring at the height of the flowering season.
Also a great pleasure to meet Ian and Anne Christie on their albeit brief visit , to the Dunedin Botanic Gardens Ian in particular seemed to be much taken with a massive specimen of Eucalyptus obliqua growing in the upper gardens.
I hope we can continue to foster these exchanges between the two hemispheres, share information and enjoy each others plants and company.
On behalf of the Otago Alpine Garden Group greetings and best wishes to all our friends in the SRGC.
David Lyttle, Chairman OAGG
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Well said, David, the level of exchange visits is quite remarkable and of course the internet makes making contact and then keeping in touch so much easier.... really brings the plant world together.