2023 annual meeting notes

South Bristol Gardening Club Annual Meeting 2023

Monday 6 February, 2023

St Paul’s Church, Southville

Present: Matthew Symonds (MS), Shirley Downey (SD), Jenny Bhambri-Lyte (JBL), Eunice Bliss, Rita Cormack, Olive Esposito, Barbara Hillman, Stephen Hurley, Elizabeth Jackson, Chery Loy-Hancocks, Peter Loy-Hancocks, Jenny Padfield, Jenny Wakenshaw, Elizabeth Wilson, Kevin Steer, Helen Bater, Lynn Clarke, Bev Moss, Alison Arnold, Mike Graham, Michael (?)

Apologies: Jan Dabbs, John Dabbs, Sarah Slade (SS), Elaine Beckett (EB)

1. Appointment of the steering committee

MS, SD and EB agreed to continue as members of the steering committee. JBL nominated SS to join the committee, this was seconded by SD. The meeting supported the appointment unanimously. MS agreed to continue as Secretary, SD agreed to continue as Treasurer. JBL has decided to step down from the committee and as club organiser – but not before arranging all the speakers for 2023. The meeting thanked JBL for her work on the committee. MS said anyone else interested in joining the steering committee would be very welcome.

2. Financial Report

SD presented the financial report (see page 3). Club income this year has been lower due to a reduced membership fee for those who were club members in 2021 (due to Covid causing disruption to meetings). Those renewing their membership in 2022 only paid £15 rather than £25. Although some members did not renew their membership in 2022, 8 new members joined, bringing the membership total to 41. 

Plant sales at the tobacco factory market were slightly lower than in 2021, and the summer trip to RHS Rosemoor was less well attended than expected possibly due to some people being reluctant to take coach travel so soon after the pandemic and also due to the very hot weather at the time of the trip.

As of 1 January 2022 the club bank statement stood at £2275, the closing balance of 2022 was £1849. In 2022, the club was in deficit by £424, however we still have £1939 in our club account.

A question was asked about how much the speakers costs and whether these costs had gone up? JBL responded that the speakers fees varied from around £50 to £190 plus travel costs.

A question was asked whether the financial report had been audited externally? SD said that it only been completed this week, but that this would be arranged.

MS said the membership renewals will be sent out shortly and that the price would remain at £25 this year for full year membership, with a reduced pro-rata fee for members who join part way through the year. payment by bank transfer is preferred but we will accept cash payments at club meetings.

3. Minutes from the 2022 annual meeting

MS apologised that he had forgotten to print out the notes from the 2022 annual meeting. MS said he would circulate the notes by email and that if there were any questions or corrections could people please send them by email.

4. Review of 2022

MS gave a run through of the club talks and visits that had taken place in 2022.

5. Speakers for 2023

JBL gave a run through of speakers for 2023 (see below)

6. Summer trip 

This years summer trip will take place on Sunday 16 July to RHS Wisley. 

We also hope to arrange a summer trip to visit the Japanese Garden in Brislington.

7. Any other business

A seed swap is taking place at the Trinity Centre at the op of Old Market this Sunday (12 February) between 12 – 4. As well as seeds to swap there will be various speakers. Full details online at https://www.bristolseedswap.com

Brackenwood Garden Centre are organising snowdrop walks at the moment. Details can be found online at https://brackenwood-plantandgardencentre.com/events/

There is a rare plants sale on Sunday 19 March at the Bishops Palace Wells?  https://bishopspalace.org.uk/event/rare-plant-fair/

Club speakers for 2023

Wednesday 1 March – Andrew Tolman on stumperies ferns and shady friends

Wednesday 5 April – Paul Evans Head gardener at National Trust garden Tyntesfield

Wednesday 3 May – Lynda Warren will return to give a talk on spices

Wednesday 7 June – Summer BBQ, tbc

Wednesday 5 July – Richard Rickett gardening for bees

Sunday 16 July – Summer trip to RHS Wisley

Wednesday 2 August – Social event at Peter and Cheryl’s garden

Wednesday 6 September – Richard Horwood will talk on Alpines

Wednesday 4 October – Jane Porter RHS Chelsea Gold Medal winning garden designer 

Wednesday 1 November – Joff Elphick will give an entertaining talk entitled ‘Crayfish on the Lawn’

December – date tbc – Christmas Party