Tuesday, 8 January 2013

Successful trip to Ecuador and Peru

Fourteen members of the Society enjoyed a two week trip to South America in November 2012. It included a brief visit to Peru to see Machu Picchu (where the guide had to halt her tour because members were too busy photographing orchids) before proceeding to southern Ecuador.


The tour was arranged by Sally Mill through Ecuagenera and superbly guided by Alex Portilla (a member of the Ecuagenera family). Members were able to see a wide range of orchids in their natural habitat including Cattleya, Epidendrum, Oncidium and pleurothallids.

Cattleya maxima

An article about the trip should be published in the next issue of the Journal.

OSGB visit to Burnham Nurseries on 9 March 2013

The OSGB did not escape the terrible weather last autumn and unfortunately the visit to Burnham Nurseries in Newton Abbot, Devon on 24 November 2012 had to be cancelled (the railway line was washed away). However, the visit has been rescheduled for Saturday 9 March by kind invitation of Sara Rittershausen who has offered to provide lunch in Burnham’s excellent coffee shop as well as entry to their beautiful display house, Orchid Paradise, free for OSGB visitors.

Members around the country will need to make their own arrangements/bookings for travel to the nursery. However, a group will be travelling from London Paddington to Newton Abbot station and members may join this group if they wish. Taxi/minibus transfer between Newton Abbot station and Burnham Nurseries (2 miles) will be paid for/refunded by the OSGB.
Please note: it is much cheaper to buy two singles than a return ticket www.thetrainline.com

Dep: 09:06 London Paddington Arr: 11:38 Newton Abbot (£17.50)

Dep: 16:41 Newton Abbot Arr: 19:22 London Paddington (£22.00)

Prices correct at time of going to press, for single tickets bought in advance without a railcard. Tickets are much more expensive if not bought well in advance.

Members must contact Francis Quesada-Pallares by 1 March to confirm their place for lunch and/or transport to/from Newton Abbott station, tel: 07951 070637, e-mail: ols_francisjquesadapallares@hotmail.com

If you have not received an e-mail confirmation from Francis within a few days please telephone him to confirm.

Thursday, 3 January 2013

OSGB plant auction on Saturday 5 January 2013

The OSGB's annual auction will be held at Napier Hall on Saturday 5 January 2013.  Doors open at 1.30pm, auction at 2.30pm. 

A wide variety of plants will be on sale, from easy-to-grow hybrids to more unusual species, and are usually sold for extremely reasonable prices.  A selection of books and orchid prints will also be auctioned.

As usual, all members will receive a warm welcome and tea, coffee and biscuits will be available.
Members are invited to bring along plants to sell (four plants per individual member, six plants per family membership). 

MBE for Simon Pugh-Jones, founder of the Writhlington School Orchid Project


Simon Pugh-Jones MBE
with Laelia anceps at Writhlington
(Photo by Joel Bates)
Simon Pugh-Jones received an MBE in the New Year's Honours list for his services to education and the orchid project.

The Writhlington School Orchid Project (WSOP) developed from an after-school gardening club founded by Simon 20 years ago. The WSOP has gone from strength to strength over the years led by Simon's infectious enthusiasm and students are now involved with orchid-related projects around the world, enjoying trips to countries such as Sikkim and Rwanda.

The project recently hosted the hugely successful 25th British Orchid Council Congress at Writhlington School in October 2012.

Simon says “This is recognition for my fantastic team of students at Writhlington who have achieved so much over the last twenty years and for all those who have supported our work both in the UK and abroad.”

Our congratulations to Simon and everyone involved with the project.

New venue for Peterborough International Orchid Show


Thanks to the enthusiasm of its committee, the International Orchid Show previously held at Peterborough has found a new home.

The show will now be held in conjunction with the successful Malvern Three Counties Show on 14, 15 and 16 June 2013. This is an increasingly popular show and it is hoped that the new location will attract exhibitors and visitors alike to the orchid show.

Unfortunately this will clash with the North East of England Orchid Society's show at Tatton Park on 16 June in 2013 but it is hoped that this can be avoided in future years.

The dedicated website will go live in early in 2013, www.malvern-ios.org

Friday, 9 November 2012

OSGB display at 25th BOC Congress at Writhlington School

The OSGB created an attractive display at the Congress, alongside orchid societies from around the country and traders from around the world. Many thanks to all the members who lent their plants for the display and to Val Micklewright and Simon Waddilove who were instrumental in its creation.
 
Tony Britton, Chairman of the Cumbria OS, took the trouble to bring along his unusual Cycnoches (warszewiczii x barthorium) which had timed its flowering perfectly to coincide with the Congress and was a great feature on our display. This involved packing it with the greatest care for travel on two trains followed by a car journey. Where there is a will, there is a way!




Val Micklewright's Phragmipedium besseae was covered in flowers and won 1st Place for a Phragmipedium species, along with her Phragmipedium schlimii and one of Michael McIllmurray's maxillarias which both won 2nd place rosettes in their classes.



The pupils, parents and staff of Writhlington School, led by Simon Pugh-Jones, offered visitors a warm welcome, super hospitality and a wonderful Congress. The lecture programme was varied and well attended by beginners and expert growers alike. Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved.

Monday, 8 October 2012

OSGB visit to Burnham Nurseries - 24 November 2012

The OSGB is co-ordinating a visit to Burnham Nurseries on Saturday 24 November 2012. This is by kind invitation of Sara Rittershausen who has offered to provide lunch in Burnham’s excellent coffee shop as well as entry to their beautiful display house, Orchid Paradise, free for OSGB visitors.

Members around the country will need to make their own arrangements/bookings for travel. However, a group will be travelling from London Paddington to Newton Abbott station and members may join this group if they wish. Taxi/minibus transfer between Newton Abbott station and Burnham Nurseries (2 miles) will be paid for by the OSGB.

Please note: it is much cheaper to buy two singles than a return ticket www.thetrainline.com
Dep: 9:06 London Paddington Arr: 11:38 Newton Abbot (£17.00)
Dep: 17:40 Newton Abbott Arr: 20.37 London Paddington (£12.50)
(Prices correct as of 8-10-2012, for single tickets without a railcard)

Members must contact Francis Quesada-Pallares by 17 November to confirm their place for lunch and/or transport to/from Newton Abbott station, tel: 07951 070637, e-mail: ols_francisjquesadapallares@hotmail.com