Chedworth Gardening Club (Previously Chedworth & District Horticultural Society) Founded 1880
Introduction
There has been a Horticultural Society, in one form or another, in Chedworth since 1880. History records that it may not have been in existence in every year since that time, but Chedworth village has demonstrated a strong interest in flower and produce shows and talks over the years ever since the first in 1881.
The centenary of the Society was celebrated in 1980 with a dance after the Show. In 2005, to mark the 125th year of the Society, a collection of themed floral displays representing `Chedworth Through the Ages` was brought together in St. Andrew`s Church, and we hosted Gardeners’ Question Time. In 2021 the belated 140th anniversary celebrations included an ‘in house’ Gardeners’ Question Time deemed a great success.
In 2023 Chedworth took part in the NGS Open Gardens Scheme, combining with the Show on 24 June, attracting several hundred visitors. In 2025 village gardens will once again be open for the NGS, this time on 7 June.
The Club offers much to interest its members; garden visits to private Cotswold gardens in the spring and summer, masterclasses including rose pruning, autumn seed exchanges, talks, and discounts on plants at Burford Garden Centre and compost at Shurdington. In 2024 some members opened their gardens in Chedworth on Sunday afternoons through June and July; a great opportunity to meet up, exchange tips and take cuttings!
Ideas for further activities are welcomed.
Committee
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President |
Wiggy Talbot Rice |
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Chairman |
Simon Colbeck |
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General Secretary |
Jane Spooner |
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Garden Visits Organizer |
Ang MacNaught |
Membership
We welcome members from the parishes of Chedworth, Yanworth & Stowell, Coln St. Dennis, Coln Rogers and neighbouring villages. Please contact the Chairman for further details. Memberships are renewable on the 1st January each year, payable to the Club.
The subscriptions are :
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Individual |
£15.00 |
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Joint |
£20.00 |
New members are always welcome to join the Club and should contact the General Secretary by email : chedworthgardeningclub@gmail.com
Activities
Garden Visits
Four garden visits are organized annually, taking place in the afternoon or early evening. Each visit includes refreshments.
The visits are only open to members. The cost of each 2025 visit is likely to be £15. Members will receive details of how to book these visits online.
Those attending garden visits are expected to provide their own transport, with car sharing arranged by the visit organiser before the garden visit if anyone has any spare capacity in their vehicles.
Masterclasses
The Club benefits from some professional landscape gardeners among its members who run half-day masterclasses. In 2024 these included rose-pruning and willow structure making. Ideas and volunteers to run additional masterclasses are very welcome.
Plant sales/exchanges/seed swaps
These are held from time to time, also in conjunction with the informal Sunday member gardens openings. The successful 2024 Autumn Seed Swap will be held again in 2025.
Discounts
Through a long-standing arrangement with Burford Garden Company, members can benefit from a 10% discount on plants, seeds and bulbs on production of their membership card.
Compost & soil conditioners
Members can benefit from trade prices on compost and soil conditioners at Shurdington Nurseries on production of their membership card. Shurdington Nurseries offer a delivery service (at a charge) with no minimum order quantity.
The Committee and members of the Chedworth Gardening Club are delighted to continue the rich legacy of interest in horticulture in our beautiful village. Come and join us!