Coach trip to OSGB Spring Show at Wisley

The society's Spring Show will return to The Glasshouse gallery at RHS Garden Wisley on 29 March, 10:30–16:00. Members are reminded that this is an open show – their friends (and their orchids) are welcome. Burnham Nurseries will be in attendance with a wonderful variety of orchids for sale. Full details about the show can be found on page 22 of the Annual Supplement.

The Society has arranged a coach to take members to and from RHS Garden Wisley from central London. This must be booked in advance, by 10 March, and is available to the first 50 members to apply; cost £3.00 per member. It will depart from the RHS Lawrence Hall, Greycoat Street, London, SW1P 2QD at 10:00 and also pick up at Raynes Park overground station around 10:45 (depending on traffic – meet by the bus stop in front of Starbucks). It will depart from RHS Garden Wisley at 16:00, returning to Greycoat Street via Raynes Park. The Society will also be offering 50 free entry tickets for the garden to its members, who are not members of the RHS, on a ‘first come first served’ basis at the main entrance between 10:00 and 12:00.

All plants will be inspected by the RHS and should be delivered between 08:00 and 08:45. Access via Wisley’s back gate is increasingly limited and only available for plant delivery early in the morning and for plant collection once the show closes. Competitive plants may be delivered before midday on 28 March to Sam Hurley in South London (tel: 07900 250247, e-mail: sam@ballyhurley.com) or Val Micklewright in Crawley (tel: 01293 528615, e-mail: val@micklewright.com) who will take them to Wisley in time for judging on Saturday morning. Members may take these plants home with them after the show or collect from Sam or Val the following day.

Members wishing to enter windowsill-grown plants for the Solomon Trophy or hybrids made 50 or more years ago for the BETOC Spring Show Cup should mention this when registering. Judging will begin promptly at 09:00 and trophies will be awarded at 14:30.

Orchids will also be on display in the Glasshouse as part of Wisley’s Tropical Orchid Display from 5 April to 4 May.

If you would like to book seats on the coach, volunteer to help at the show or for more information contact Francis Quesada-Pallarés, tel: 07951 070637, e-mail: ols_francisjquesadapallares@hotmail.com