The Black Pear Gardening Club 10 years ago.
By Brian Skeys.
Following a dispute with the Cottage Garden Society in 2012, the members of the Worcestershire Group decided to leave the Cottage Garden Society and set up the Black Pear Garden Club.
So on the 1st of September 2012, this group of independent-minded gardeners created the Black Pear Gardening Club. Not wishing to share our funds or be tied to any other organisation again we decided only to be affiliated with the RHS for insurance and guidance using their model constitution, which is still in place today.
Irene and I provided a loan that was deposited to open the account and other members of the committee pledged loans if needed. Douglas Gregor offered to create and fund a new Website.
All monies were refunded in the first financial year.
Our club aims were set out on the website by Douglas and remain the same today.
“To bring together those of all ages with a common interest in horticulture so that they might share their enthusiasm and enjoyment of plants, gardens and gardening.
To provide an opportunity for members to broaden their knowledge of plants, the growing of healthy fruit and vegetables and to encourage planting which restores biodiversity to our gardens: creating an environment which supports bees, butterflies and other pollinators.”
We were ahead of our times with the emphasis on the environment, a particular interest of Douglas’s which those of you who have seen his photographs will know only too well.
I was elected as Chairman, Pam Williams as Secretary and Cathy Snelgar as Treasurer.
The committee was Marina Duffell newsletter, Roger and Barbara Parker plant sales, Janet Burkimsher catering, Ken and Audrey Webb programme secretaries Jasmine Gregor membership with June Gittins, Lorna Winstone and Irene – everything else not covered!
I suggested the name The Black Pear Gardening Club due to the historic connection of the Black Pear to Worcestershire. This was unanimously approved.
Our first meeting in October was a talk about plants for autumn and winter scent by Kate Clowes of Newent Plant Centre. The speaker at the AGM in November was Bob Brown of Cotswold Garden Flowers.
December saw our first Christmas lunch at the Worcester golf club.
We had 63 paid-up members within the first month.
Black Pear Gardening Club. 