The first meeting of 2013 was a virtual visit to Madeira with Howard Drury. The sun and sea cheered up the audience, who basked in the sunshine (helped by their imaginations, of course) looking at the flowers and spectacular plants of this fascinating Island. The food and drink looked pretty good too!

The club will hold its AGM on Wednesday, February 13, with wine followed by a talk and tour round some interesting gardens available to visit. Many of them are private gardens and can only be viewed by appointment.

The meeting at Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall starts at 7.30pm or wine and chat before commencing at 8pm. A preview of the 2013 programme will be given, as well as an idea of the outings being organised for the summer. Don’t forget to bring any of those plants you are discarding from your garden for the trade stand.

Olive and David Mason, who raise money to support the National Gardens Scheme, will be opening their garden, Dial Park, on Wednesday, February 20 from 11am to 4pm.

It will be the chance to see Olive’s wonderful collection of snowdrops and many other spring delights, while David has a very interesting collection of farm implements and tools from bye-gone days. Admission is £3, with children free.

At the March 13 meeting, Brian Ellis will be giving a practical demonstration of propagation of ‘Roots and Shoots’.