Membership – Lavant Horticultural Society

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 8^th November

Secretary, Margaret Rhodes, had sent all the AGM documents to all members to read in advance, which helped to expedite the official business. In her role as Membership Secretary, she reported membership at 149 with quite a few new members. Treasurer, Lesley West, pointed out that the Society’s finances were in good condition, with an increase in funds due mainly to the proceeds from the Annual Plant Sale.
The Meeting confirmed the Committee’s proposal to maintain the annual subscription at £10 for another year.

Click to enlarge

Chairman, Mike Kingsford reported that the Society continued to flourish. The Annual Plant Sale even surpassed last year’s record, especially due to the sales of plants donated by LHS members and others from the local community. In spite of the rain and wind, which meant that the marquee could not be erected, Annual Flower Show still saw a large number of entries, attracting lots of visitors and praise from the judges for its high standards.

Mike thanked the large number of members without whose help the Show, Plant Sale and other activities, would not be possible, with a special mention for Liz Hewitt and her team who continued to do such a good job with the refreshments.

Lesley West introduced the impressive 2024 programme.

LHS Officers: Mike Kingsford, Margaret Rhodes and Lesley West agreed to run for another year as Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer respectively and were re-elected unanimously.
Committee: the other six current members, Liz Hewitt, Linda Hughes, Beryl Starkey, Sue Jackson, Bob Wiggins and Alison Butcher, also put themselves forward for another year and were elected unanimously.

Mike made presentations on behalf of the Society to Roger Hart (an RHS certificate in recognition of his outstanding contribution to LHS) and to Jennie and Lindsay Deans, who were stepping down from managing the drinks for LHS events, which they had done so well over many years.

The highlight of the evening was the celebration of the Society’s 50^th birthday (at least!), with a glass of bubbly and a piece of delicious birthday cake (moist, rich fruit cake with marzipan and icing), made by Committee member Linda Hughes.
Everyone drank a toast to the next 50 years.

Mike had found the first written confirmation of LHS’ existence in the Memorial Hall records of 1973.
Sue Jackson’s research into back copies of the Chichester Observer had found reports on the shows of some antecedents, including the Lavant and District Horticultural and Industrial Society, going back to 1920. The “Industrial” part, overseen by a committee of ladies, seems to have been domestic (rather than heavy), one of the classes being for ironing a shirt (will the Show Committee be considering this for the 2024 Show Schedule?).

A very enjoyable evening.

Live in Lavant, Summersdale or nearby?
Why not join Lavant Horticultural Society?
and enjoy its lively programme:

monthly meetings with interesting guest speakers;
supplemented in some months by ‘Hortitalk’ – Zoom sessions for members to discuss anything to do with plants & gardens;
plus Shows & Competitions, Plant Sale, garden visits and other events.

Meetings are held in Lavant Memorial Hall.

All this for £10 per person for the year.
(£5 if you join after the Annual Flower Show).
Regular meetings are then free to members.

Visitors welcome to our monthly meetings at £3 each.

New members will find a warm welcome.

Interested?
Just click the button below to submit your details and
Membership Secretary, Margaret Rhodes, will contact you.

RHS GARDENS
REDUCED PRICE ENTRY FOR OUR MEMBERS

Lavant Horticultural Society has a card that can be loaned to any LHS member that will entitle that member and one adult guest to a 50% reduction on the entry price to RHS Gardens.
Clearly, this could be very interesting for any of our members who are not themselves members of the RHS.

Any member interested in borrowing this card, click below:
RHS ENTRY CARD REQUEST.

Annual Buffet Supper
Wednesday 12^th July

Well over 50 members enjoyed this year’s Annual Buffet Supper.
The usual ‘bring and share’ format provided an attractive mix of salads, quiches, pies and other cold savoury morsels. These were followed by a wide range of really tasty deserts.

Social Secretary, Liz Hewitt, was congratulated on her meticulous organisation, from ensuring that the range of food was well balanced to the attractive set-up of the tables, with their gingham tablecloths and fresh flowers; this year the buffet itself was enhanced by lovely decoration of fitted covers. Thanks also to her team of helpers who made sure that everything ran so smoothly, not forgetting the two youngsters who dealt so well with all the washing up, so the members could just enjoy the evening.

It was an excellent opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. The general discussions at the beginning of the evening as everyone mingled together were followed by lively conversations around each of the tables of half a dozen when the buffet was served.
Unfortunately the website editor was so engrossed in all of this that he completely forgot to take any photos! Apologies.

Don’t just look after your plants,
make sure you look after yourself!

LHS member and retired physiotherapist, Fenella Sowden, gave a talk with demonstrations on how to take care of yourself, both working in the garden and underlying fitness, with the emphasis on the prevention of problems.