AGS Birmingham One Day Conference

[Diane Clement]

On 28 January 2012 the AGS Birmingham Group are holding a One Day conference:

“A Day in the Southern Hemisphere”.  

This will take place at the Holy Name Parish Centre, Walsall Road, Great Barr, Birmingham, B43 6LN  (Five minutes from Junction 7 of the M6).  

The conference will include the following lectures:
   Hilary Little “Australasian Alpines”,
   Ger van der Beuken “Northern Patagonia, land of Rosulate Violas”,
   Terry Smale “Winter-growing bulbs from South Africa”
   Martin and Anna-Liisa Sheader “Botanical Hotspots in Patagonia”  

Cost £15 including light refreshments, optional buffet lunch available for £6.50.  
This is promising to be a super day with a varied programme of speakers, also nursery stalls from Pottertons and Aberconwy Nurseries, AGS Bookstall, raffle, Members’ plant stall, etc
Full details, timings available here:
Birmingham Group Conference "A Day in the Southern Hemisphere"  

Booking form available by clicking here: "A Day in the Southern Hemisphere" - Booking Form

For a map of the venue, click here: Map of Conference venue

[Maggi Young]

Such a pity Santa Claus did not bring me a helicopter for Christmas............

[Rob Potterton]

Happy Christmas Maggi !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Maggi Young]

And a Happy New Year to you too, Rob!

Sadly, I didn't realise they were helicopters and swatted them thinking they might be early flying narcissus fly..... oops!

[Maggi Young]

And a Happy New Year to you too, Rob!

Sadly, I didn't realise they were helicopters and swatted them thinking they might be early flying narcissus fly..... oops!

 Note to self: enlarge photo before jumping to conclusions....... 

[Rob Potterton]

And a Happy New Year to you too, Rob!

Sadly, I didn't realise they were helicopters and swatted them thinking they might be early flying narcissus fly..... oops!

Note to Self: In future ignore ladies in distress; especially one's that want a helicopter for Christmas.

[Maggi Young]

And a Happy New Year to you too, Rob!

Sadly, I didn't realise they were helicopters and swatted them thinking they might be early flying narcissus fly..... oops!

Note to Self: In future ignore ladies in distress; especially one's that want a helicopter for Christmas.

 I'm so sorry!

I do hope that hundreds of sensible folks will be able to make their way... by whatever means of transport...  to this event.

[Diane Clement]

Just another reminder of our one-day conference in Birmingham, this coming Saturday 28th January. We have an excellent line up of speakers at an easily accessible venue. We hope many of you will join us. See previous posting for details and contact information.

[Rob Potterton]

A most enjoyable, well organised and friendly conference, great lectures with lots of information including habitat and cultivation needs, stunning photographs. A delight to see so many friends again. Oh and good sales   

[Maggi Young]

A most enjoyable, well organised and friendly conference, great lectures with lots of information including habitat and cultivation needs, stunning photographs. A delight to see so many friends again. Oh and good sales   

 Well, it's great news that the sales were good... we naturally expected the rest to be as stated.... but what about the cakes? There must have been cakes, surely? Or were the sales so good you had no time to eat anything? 

[Rob Potterton]

My cheese and tomato sandwiches were delicious, made by wife Jackie, due to volume of sales eaten during lectures. So busy forgot to eat home made cakes until i got home. Apparently i've got all my priorities wrong!!!

[Diane Clement]

due to volume of sales eaten during lectures.... 

      

Apparently i've got all my priorities wrong!!! 

You have, Rob, you're supposed to sell the plants, not eat them     

But thanks for the comments, Rob.  And thanks to all the excellent lecturers, and the nurseries, and all the helpers for making it a great day.  We've just waived off Ger and Mariet to Birmingham airport, now on their way back home.

[Maren]

It was a lovely day, we saw and heard a lot about Patagonia, and as I hadn't been there ("What, you haven't been to Patagonia???"), it was most interesting and entertaining.
Learnt much about rosulate violas http://www.treknature.com/gallery/South_America/Chile/photo176419.htm, but there could have been more orchids for my liking - ah well, can't have it all. Bought some nice plants, too....and had lunch with a few forumists. That was the best part.

[Maggi Young]

It was a lovely day, we saw and heard a lot about Patagonia, and as I hadn't been there ("What, you haven't been to Patagonia???"), it was most interesting and entertaining.
Learnt much about rosulate violas http://www.treknature.com/gallery/South_America/Chile/photo176419.htm, but there could have been more orchids for my liking - ah well, can't have it all. Bought some nice plants, too....and had lunch with a few forumists. That was the best part.

I know what you mean, Maren, I sometimes think I'm the only person I know who hasn't been to South America... it is flavour of the month for the plant hunting trip makers, that's for sure .

[Tony Willis]

It was a great day with superb talks and it ran like clockwork thanks to Diane's organisation. Made me want to go back there and see some more of the plants. Also learnt a lot about the climate of S Africa and growing conditions for their bulbs which was very educational

I can understand Maren enjoying lunch as she was sat with me and Ian Mcenery (and Mrs. W.)

It was great to talk to a fellow orchid enthusiast.