Our friendly, active group has been established since October 1962 and one or two original members still turn up occasionally!
We currently have a membership of 80+ and they range from those new to alpine gardening to experts with a wealth of experience.
We have an excellent programme of lectures on a wide range of topics, always stimulating and interesting. We serve tea, coffee and biscuits and there is a chance to chat to other members of the group. We have a raffle, a plants sales table and a display table each month.
In March we have a competitive plant show for the David Benton Rose Bowl and a photographic competition for the Margaret Hedges Trophy. April sees the Annual Plant Sale which we all look forward to with much excitement! Several garden visits are organised in the spring and summer.
We are joint hosts, with the Dorset Group, of the AGS Wimborne Show, locally known as the Rocky Flower Show. This takes place in mid-May at Queen Elizabeth School, Wimborne, Dorset. The event attracts exhibitors from across the UK and combined with the irresistible plants for sale from a range of nurseries and the tempting refreshments available, it is a superb day out.
Membership of our group is open to all – you don’t have to be an AGS member, although always recommended to enjoy the wider benefits of the Society. Do come along as a visitor and see if you’d like to join us regularly. You would be most welcome.
Ben Parmee (Secretary): Tel: 02380 265672 or 07501 083504
Email: Ben.Parmee@agsgroups.org
AGS members: £10. (Joint £14)
Non-members: £11.00. (Joint £15)
Visitors: £2.50 (per meeting)
Students: Free
Thursday, September 24th
Speaker – Jon Evans – official show photographer for the AGS Shows
‘Late September in Paxos’
Thursday, October 22nd – The AGS Open Lecture
Speaker – David Hughes – member of Dorset and Hampshire AGS Groups
‘Hunting Alpines in Yunnan’
Thursday, November 26th
Speaker – Jenny Wainwright-Klein
‘Schachen Garden’
Thursday, December 10th (second Thursday!)
Short presentations by the three Chairmen and Quiz
Usually cheese and wine supper would be provided, sadly this year it is self-catering!
Thursday, January 28th
Speaker – Michael Myers – Lecturer at Craven College
‘Snowdrops from October to April’
Thursday, February 25th
Speaker – Graham Poynter of Dorset AGS Group
‘On the Trail of Farrer from Dales to Dolomites’
Thursday, March 25th – The 21st Lionel Bacon Memorial Lecture
Speaker – Kevin Hughes of Cally Gardens
‘Cally Gardens a Plant Extravaganza’
Competitive Plant Show for the David Benton Rose Bowl and Photographic competition for the Margaret Hedges Memorial award. We hope to be able to organise online competitions this year.
Thursday, April 22nd
Speaker – Dr Celia Wright
‘Flowers of Lesotho. Kingdom in the Sky’
Annual Plant Sale – it is hoped that we may be able to organise some outdoor plant sales if Government restrictions allow in the spring of 2021 at our outdoor open garden events.
Thursday, May 13th
Annual General Meeting
Plant and Photographic Competition Results. The David Benton Rose Bowl is awarded to the winner of the Plant Competition and the Margaret Hedges Trophy for the photographic competition winner.
Thursday, May 27th
Speaker – TBC
‘TBC’
If you would like to join us as a guest please contact Ben Parmee for the Zoom login details.
For more info: Email Ben.Parmee@agsgroups.org / ring 07501 083504
Directions / venue http://chilworthhants.org.uk/index.php/village-hall/
Paddy and Ben Parmee hope to be opening their garden across a series of dates later in the spring 2021, dates to be confirmed. This will be entirely dependent on current COVID-19 restrictions at the time and will likely involve social distancing and a booking arrangement to manage numbers.
Members of AGS Groups and friends are invited to join Paddy and Ben at their garden in Chandlers Ford to enjoy Alpines at there best.
A decision on whether they will be able to offer refreshments will be made nearer the time.
Details:
Venue: 179 Hursley Road, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, SO53 1JH
Entry: Free entry – it is intended that donations for refreshments will be donated to Wildside Garden to help Keith Wiley complete this fantastic garden project in memory of his late wife Ros who sadly died in 2019 and was his inspiration.
Time: to be confirmed.
Parking: Please park in Cuckoo Bushes Lane 50 metres to the North or other nearby street parking.
We look forward to seeing many of you on the xxxx.
Best wishes Paddy and Ben
Please contact the Secretary on 07501 083504 or 02380 265672; Email Ben.Parmee@agsgroups.org
Locally known as ‘ROCKY FLOWER SHOW‘ the Wimborne Show is jointly run by the Hampshire and Dorset Local Groups.
Location: QEII School, Pamphill, Wimborne, BH21 4DT
Next Show – Sadly due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is unlikely that the 2021 Wimborne Show will take place.
10.00 – 3.30 pm
All enquiries to the Show Secretary, Ben Parmee on 07501 083504 or by email at Ben.Parmee@agsgroups.org
This is the best opportunity in the South of England to see a wonderful selection of exceptionally well grown alpine plants and a display of expertly produced photographs. Also enjoy a range of nurseries and superb refreshments.
If you need to know more about the plants, it is a rare occasion to meet growers and learn their secrets!
The presence of the show in our area has encouraged exhibitors from our own membership who now regularly win trophies and awards at this and other shows.
The reputation of our superb catering is second to none, cakes and delicious lunches are all homemade by members of our Groups, taste it and you will believe it!
It is a fantastic collaboration between the two Groups and we are grateful to the Dorset Group for all their work in support of the show.
The fine venue, sumptuous food, wonderful plants and friendly atmosphere have made it a must see event for many far flung Alpine enthusiasts.
The photographic competition is a local extra and showcases plant photography at home and abroad by local members. For further details please contact David Hughes on davidcchughes@btinternet.com.
We very much look forward to meeting you!
