About Us

The Haslemere Gardening Society was formed in 1947 to encourage the love and appreciation of gardening and gardens. Now, as always, there is a great emphasis on "grow your own" and making good use of the area available. Just after the war chemicals and pesticides were widespread, but today they are avoided.

The Society's activities change with the seasons. In the Autumn, Winter and Spring we arrange a series of interesting and varied talks at the Church Hall, Our Lady Of Lourdes, 21 Derby Road, Haslemere, Surrey (GU27 1BS). The entrance is on Weydown Road. The talks start at 7.45 pm and end around 9.15 pm followed by tea and coffee.

Subjects range from ways to improve members' gardens, propagation and pollination, focusing on various plant types, to Head Gardeners of rather grander plots describing the joys and pitfalls of their jobs.

During the Summer months, there are coach visits to various beautiful gardens in the South of England, usually, two gardens per trip, such as Thenford House, the beautiful garden and arboretum owned by Lord Heseltine and the newly re-opened Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens so spectacular with the Spring colours of the hundreds of Camelias, Azaleas and Rhododendrons, not to mention the joy of looking at the amazing miniature village which is on view there. There are always lots of ideas and plants to take back home

On a Saturday in the early part of the Summer each year a coffee morning is held in the garden of one of the members. The hours of hard work which this entails is much appreciated by everyone and good weather is fervently hoped for.

The final activity of each year is the Christmas Dinner in early December which is usually held at the Georgian Hotel, with a cabaret and raffle, and is a great start to the Festive Season. The Society's year starts in January with another festive occasion, The Annual General Meeting, when the Members gather in the Catholic Church Hall for the business of the Society followed by a buffet and wine and a talk or demonstration on something like wine producing or, this year, cheese making, with a chance to sample the product under discussion.

The various happenings are always well supported by the members who appreciate the time and hard work put in by the Committee who organise it all. The members of the Society are a very friendly and sociable group of people and new faces are always welcome both as members or visitors."

Committee

President: Madeleine Boxall
Chairman: David Trout
Treasurer: Anthony Day
Membership Secretary: Georgina Trout
Lecture Programme: Julia Sisnett
Lecture Programme: Simon Sisnett
Publicity: Helen French
Committee Member: Angela French
Committee Member: Roger Smith
Committee Member: Wendy Smith