Orchid Societies in the UK and Ireland
The British Orchid Council – BOC – is the UK orchid world’s umbrella organisation, bringing together amateur and commercial growers and the scientific community in a single forum.
Membership currently comprises forty national, regional and specialist Orchid Societies, the British Orchid Growers’ Association (BOGA, the UK orchid trade organisation), national Botanic Gardens maintaining significant orchid collections at Kew and Glasgow, the Eric Young Orchid Foundation, and the Royal Horticultural Society.
BOC is a registered charity whose main objectives may be summarised as promoting and broadening the knowledge of orchids and encouraging excellence in their culture. Its role is one of co-ordinating rather than governing the activities of its member organisations.
Enquiries and membership details from:
Hon Secretary: Mr Richard Baxter
Hall Farm House
Shelton
Newark-on-Trent
NG23 5JG
Tel: 01949 850713
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.british-orchid-council.info/BOC2014/membership.html
The Orchid Society of Great Britain – OSGB was founded in 1951 by John Blowers, with Charles Curtis as our first President.
We meet on the first Saturday afternoon of each month, at 1.30 in Napier Hall, Hide Place (just off Vincent Square) Westminster, London. At each meeting we have a lecture on an orchid subject, except for the January meeting when a plant auction is held. Members show their plants, which are judged and prizes awarded, followed by a short talk about their merits, cultivation, etc. Refreshments; plants for sale and purchase; a raffle with orchid plants as prizes; and the opportunity to borrow books from our extensive library, are available at these meetings.
The Society publishes a quarterly, full colour, 64 page Journal for its members. Subjects include news from around the world; cultivation advice; book reviews; and stories of orchid hunting, all lavishly illustrated. The Society exhibits every year at Chelsea Flower Show, the RHS London Orchid Show and other shows around the country.
We welcome and are very happy to help newcomers to enjoy growing orchids. Advice is always readily available with a view to increasing members’ knowledge and expertise in every aspect of orchid growing and showing. The Society has a Travel Club for members wishing to visit orchid habitats abroad and to attend International Shows.
Contact: Mrs Zane Rapper
4 Vine Court, Harrow, HA3 0TR email:[email protected] website: https: //www.osgb.org.uk Venue: Napier Hall, Hide Place, Westminster, London SW1P 4NJ meeting on first Sat each month 1-30- 4.30. Introductory session for beginners and guest speakers
Visit: www.orchid-society-gb.org.uk/
Groups and Affiliated Societies of the OSGB
(correct as at March 2011)
Local Groups
Croydon and District Group
Meetings first Tuesday (except January) at 19.30 at Wallington United Reformed Church, Stanley Park Road, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 0UE.
Contact: Michael Penney Tel. 020 8648 7295.
Essex Group
Meetings second Saturday at 13.30 in the Billericay South Green Memorial Hall, Southend Road, Billericay, CM11 2PR.
Sec. Margaret Dalton Tel. 01702 218533. e-mail: [email protected]
Societies Affiliated to the OSGB
Bournemouth Orchid Society
Meetings last Friday (except February, July and September) at 19.30 at Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NS.
Contact: Ken Griffiths Tel. 01425 672492. email: [email protected] or www.erythos.com/BOS
Bristol and West of England Orchid Society
Meetings second Saturday at 14.30 in The Good Shepherd Hall, Bishopston, Bristol.
Contact John Hale Tel. 01453 822693. e-mail: [email protected]
Cambridge Orchid Society
Meetings first Friday (except January and August) at 19.30 at Great Shelford Memorial Hall, Woollards Lane, Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire, CB22 5JZ.
Contact: Ron Pearson Tel. 01733 239305. email: [email protected]
Chiltern Orchid Society
Meetings fourth Thursday (except August and December) at 19.00 at Chalfont St. Peter Community Centre, Gravel Hill, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, SL9 9QX.
Contact Lydia Cobb Tel. 01494 873671. email: [email protected]
CHS Sussex Orchid Group
Meetings third Sunday at 14.30 at Crawley Horticultural Hall, Ifield Avenue, West Green, Crawley, RH11 7AJ.
Sec. Val Micklewright Tel. 01293 528615. e-mail: [email protected]
Darlington and District Orchid Society
Meetings second Wednesday at 19.00 at Sadberge Village Hall, Darlington Road, Sadberge, Darlington, DL2 1SB.
Contact: Maurice Local Tel. 01642 566761. email: [email protected]
Devon Orchid Society
Meetings third Sunday at 14.00 at Burnham Nurseries, Forches Cross, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6PZ.
Contact: Nicola Wakley Tel. 01404 850354. email: [email protected]
Orchid Society of East Anglia
Meetings third Friday at 19.30 in Eaton Parish Hall, Colman Road, Norwich.
Contact: Colin Thorburn Tel. 01842 810520. e-mail: [email protected] or www.osea.org.uk
Hinckley & District Orchid Society
Meetings first Wednesday (except July and August) at 20.00 at Barwell Constitutional Club, Chapel Street, Barwell, Leicestershire, LE9 8DD.
Contact: Keith Bates Tel. 01455 446793, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] or www.hinckleydistrictorchidsociety.com
The Irish Orchid Society
Meetings first Monday (except January and August) at 20.00 at the Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.
Contact: Shane Kerr Tel. 00 353 1 294 0291. email: [email protected]
Lea Valley Orchid Society
Meetings third Wednesday (except December) at 19.30 at Waterford Village Hall, High Road, Waterford, Hertford.
Contact: Gill Radley, Tel; 01992 550897. email: [email protected]
North Bucks. Orchid Society
Meetings first Wednesday (except August) at 19.45 in Rectory Cottages, Church Green Road, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 6BJ.
Sec. Gill Bramham Tel. 01908 373880. email: [email protected]
North East of England Orchid Society
Meetings last Tuesday at 19.00 at Bowburn Community Centre, Durham Road, Bowburn, Durham, DH6 5AT.
Contact: Pat McLean Tel. 0191 4879515. email: [email protected] or www.ne-orchids.org.uk
North Hampshire Orchid Society
Meetings usually third Sunday (check for dates) at 14.00 at East Oakley Village Hall, Hill Road, East Oakley, Basingstoke, RG23 7JJ.
Contact: Frances Mansfield Tel. 01189 477136. email: [email protected] or www.north-hampshire-orchid-society.org.uk
Northern Ireland Orchid Society
Meetings first Wednesday (except June, July, August and December) at 19.30 at Belmont Towers, 82 Belmont Church Road, Belfast, BT4 3FG.
Contact: Elizabeth Steele Tel. 028 9145 6344.
Orchid Study Group – Wales
Meetings monthly at National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire, SA32 8HG.
Check website for details www.orchidstudygroup.org
Contact: Lynne Harrendence Tel. 01558 668492.
Scottish Orchid Society
Five Branches, meeting in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Perth, Glasgow and Dundee.
Contact: Alan Benson. Tel. 01968 677075. e-mail: [email protected]
www.scottishorchid.info
Solihull & District Orchid Society
Meetings first Saturday (except August) at 14.30 at Arden School, Station Road, Knowle, B93 0PT .
Contact: Janet James Tel. 01564 822897.
South East Orchid Society
Meetings usually last Sunday (check for dates) at 14.00 at The Ashford Rail Staff Hall, Beaver Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 7RR.
Contact: Karina Sellers Tel:01233 720238
www.seos.care4free.net
South Wales Orchid Society
Meetings last Saturday (except August and December) at 14.00 at Ty’r Blodau, Botanical Gardens, Singleton Park, Swansea.
Contact: Peter Rees-Jones Tel. 01269 822251. e-mail: [email protected]
South West Orchid Society
Meetings second Sunday at 14.15 in West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton, TA2 8NE.
Contact: Marian Saunders Tel. 01278 455170. email: [email protected]
Southern Counties Orchid Society
Meetings second Wednesday at 19.30 at Lancing Leisure Centre, Brighton Road, Lancing, West Sussex.
Contact Ken Chippendale Tel. 01903 241433.
www.SouthernCountiesOrchidSociety.com
Suffolk Orchid Society
Meetings last Wednesday (except July, August and December) at 19.30 at St Michael’s Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham, Ipswich, IP5 3UP.
Contact: Jenny Gage, Tel: 01473 822569, e-mail: [email protected] or www.suffolkorchid.co.uk
Thames Valley Orchid Society
Meetings third Friday at 19.30 at St Peter’s Church, 7 St Peter’s Street, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1NQ.
Contact: Barry Cook Tel: 01189 580448. email: [email protected]
West Cornwall Orchid Society
Meetings second Sunday (except August and December) at 14.00 at Camborne Community Centre,
Contact: Ric Reilly Tel: 07973 173367 email: [email protected] Visit:www.westcornwallorchidsociety.btck.co
Orchid Societies – Other Regions
Please contact Laurence Hobbs Orchids with any additional information on Societies or Orchid Groups, or for any not listed. Tel: 01293 561029 (Leave message) Mob: 07961 350053 Or email us on: [email protected]
Birmingham & Midland Orchid Society Mrs V Francis 2 Barnes Close Walsall Wood West Midlands WS9 9BD Tel. 01543 820679
Central Orchid Society Mrs Hazel Percival 19 Beverley Close Penkridge Staffordshire ST19 5SS Tel. 01785 715613
Cheltenham & District Orchid Society Rod Wells 15 Lapwing Close Northway Tewkesbury Gloucs. GL20 8TN Tel. 01684 294485
Cheshire & North Wales Orchid Society John Stanley 16 Thornton Drive Wistaston Crewe Cheshire CW2 6RN Tel. 01270 568296
Cotswold Orchid Society W B Irvine Morven St Chloe Lane Amberley Stroud Gloucestershire GL5 5AS Tel. 01453 872769
Cumbria Orchid Society R J Burrow 6 Beck Road Belle Vue Carlisle Cumbria CA2 7QL Tel. 01228 542145
East Midlands Orchid Society A L Deakin Pomarium Cottage, Back Lane, Halam. Notts. NG22 8AG Tel. 01636 819974
Eastbourne Orchid Society Mr O B Sykes 8 Rattan Drive Eastbourne East Sussex BN20 9BJ
Harrogate Orchid Society Malcolm White 6 Hospital Road, Riddlesden, Keighley, West Yorkshire BD20 5EP Tel 01535 661616 email twmwhite [at] aol [dot] com
Mid-Sussex Orchid Society Dr Maria Firth 9 Harlands Close Haywards Heath West Sussex RH16 1PS Tel. 01444 413626
Mid-Wales Orchid Society Mrs Audrey Houghton Wern Fach Llandegley Llandrindod Wells Powys LD1 5UH Wales Tel. 01597 851415
North of England Orchid Society Contact George Barnes, 64, Green Meadows, Westhoughton, Bolton BL52BN Tel 01942 810958
Sheffield & District Orchid Society Mrs Carolyn McQueen. 3 Milton Court, Swinton, Rotherham S64 8RE. Email [email protected]
Somerset, Wiltshire & Dorset Orchid Society, Meeting first Sunday each month. Secretary: Geoff Hobson, 30 Leigh Road, Westbury, BA13 3QL . 01373 823820. Email: [email protected]
Wessex Orchid Society Jonathan Watson 14 Park Crescent Midhurst West Sussex GU29 9ED Tel. 01730 816145
Worcestershire Orchid Society Mrs Alison Caldwell 23 The Birches Stourport On Severn Worcestershire DY13 9NW Tel. 01299 822373
SPECIALIST ORCHID SOCIETIES British Paphiopedilum Society Claudia Whales Ratcliffe Orchids Pitcot Lane Owslebury Winchester Hampshire SO21 1LR Tel. 01962 777372 Fax 01962 777664
The Hardy Orchid Society Celia Wright The Windmill Vennington Westbury Shrewsbury SY5 9RG Tel. 01743 884576
The Pleurothallid Alliance – UK Mrs Mary Smallman 10 Willoughby Close Hepringham Sleaford Lincolnshire MG34 0RX Tel. 01529 421521
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Society News updates
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