The Group has just completed 50 ‘group events’ since it started in 2016. To celebrate, members enjoyed a garden party – what else? – on a cool but pleasant August afternoon. The venue was Mary Gregory’s beautiful garden, with tea and cakes, in the long established tradition of the Group’s gardening activities. The occasion was marked by a ‘50th event’ cake and celebratory drinks.

Mary writes: “Many of the original members are still going strong and we have also been delighted to welcome several active new members recently. At the beginning visits were mostly to each other’s gardens but we then became more adventurous with visits further afield. The most popular activity is a private visit to one of the local gardens which opens to groups by arrangement. These visits are always informative and sociable, with the opportunity to chat to the owner and gain ideas and advice (and sometimes plants). Over 20 of these visits have been clocked, along with visits to the Botanic Gardens, wildflower meadows and several specialist nurseries. With four visits already done this summer, we are on our way to the next 50.”