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British Cactus and Succulent Society
Cambridge & District Branch
2012 Programme

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Some pictures from recent shows

2012 Summer Show: View or download the schedule and entry form

2012 National Show

The British Cactus & Succulent Society (BCSS) has around 100 branches throughout the country. The Cambridge & District Branch meets on the second Wednesday of each month (except February) in the Memorial Hall, Woollards Lane, Great Shelford, Cambridge, CB22 5LZ.

Here is a map which should open in a new window. Use the controls on the map if you want more of an overview of how to get there.

The Cambridge Branch was formed in 1947, and usually attracts up to 40 people to its monthly meetings.

The meetings start at 7pm, but the first half-hour is just an opportunity to talk to others, stage show plants, and search the sales table for bargains, so you needn't arrive until 7.30pm. As a guide, the meetings sometimes go on until 10pm, but might finish earlier.

Everyone is welcome at the meetings (including non-members). Most meetings have a visiting speaker, often illustrated with slides (or increasingly digital presentations), or sometimes with plants. Also there are:

Do come to one of our meetings. Just come along, or if you want further information then email me, Clarke Brunt, or call our Secretary, David Bennett (01440 785643), or our Chairman, Doreen Oakman (01763 260819). If you want, you can join or request a membership leaflet online. Note that, like other branches, the Cambridge Branch has to be self-financing, and does not receive any money from your subscription to the British Cactus & Succulent Society. Entrance to our meetings costs £1, and you can also contribute to our fund-raising by buying a raffle ticket.

Join our email list to be kept up to date. Just fill in your details to receive occasional news by email about the branch activities.


2012 Meetings

  • Wednesday 11th January
    2012
Annual General Meeting
Although the main purpose of the meeting is to review the year 2011 and elect committee and officers for 2012, once the business is over we move to the more important matter of consuming lots of food and drink!
  • Friday 17th February
Annual Dinner, The Greyhound, 2 High Street, Sawston, CB22 3BG. 7pm for 7.30
Contact the Secretary for booking details.
  • Wednesday 14th March
Graham Charles - North Peru, and Ecuador
Graham has made many visits to South America to study the cacti there.
  • Wednesday 11th April
Stuart Riley - Miniatures
Stuart runs Plantlife Nursery. I'm not certain whether to expect miniature cacti, or succulents, or indeed both! More details if I find out.
  • Wednesday 9th May
Bill Morris - Succulent Geraniaceae updated
Any talk by Bill is fascinating. This time, it's succulent Geraniaceae, which include the succulent species of Pelargonium and other genera.
Summer Cactus & Succulent Show held at our usual meeting venue, Memorial Hall, Woollards Lane, Great Shelford, Cambridge, CB22 5LZ.
All BCSS members are encouraged to enter, and for visitors it's an opportunity to see well-grown plants.
A picture of one of the exhibits at a previous show - click for more pictures.
View or download the schedule and entry form.
Get Acrobat reader (if you don't have it already).
  • Wednesday 13th June
Derek Tribble - Haworthia Hunting - Success & Failure
Searching for the succulent plants of the genus Haworthia in their natural habitat.
  • Saturday 16th June
Zone 6 Show - Northampton & Milton Keynes branch
A show for all the branches in the area, known as Zone 6. To be held at Giffard Park School, Milton Keynes, MK14 5PY.
  • Sunday 24th June
Zone 6 Open Day Luton Branch.
This year the members of Luton Branch open their collections to visitors.
  • Wednesday 11th July
Eddy Harris - South Africa again via Tucson, Part 1
I'm guessing a trip to see the succulent and other plants of South Africa. Not sure how Tucson, Arizona comes in!
  • Wednesday 8th August
John Hughes - Cool Customers
I'm guessing about cacti which can be grown outside, or with minimum heating.
National Cactus & Succulent Show held at Wood Green Animal Shelter, London Road, Godmanchester, near Huntingdon, PE29 2NH.
As the nearest branch to the venue for the National Show (usually held every 4 years) we'll be helping with some of the organisation. Come to see some of the finest cacti and succulents in the country. Further details from the National Society site.
  • Wednesday 12th September
Chris Davies - Mexico Part 2
A visit to Mexico, home to many species of cacti.
Autumn Cactus & Succulent Show held at our usual meeting venue, Memorial Hall, Woollards Lane, Great Shelford, Cambridge, CB22 5LZ. Usual meeting time.
The Autumn Show is a chance to exhibit and admire those plants with a later growing season, which aren't at their best in summer. But the usual cacti are still included as well.
A picture of one of the trophies - click for more pictures.
The schedule and entry form will be available for download here when ready.
  • Saturday 20th October
Zone 6 Convention
To be held at Capel Manor, Enfield. Try the BCSS events calendar for further details.
  • Wednesday 14th November
John Pilbeam - South Mexico
A visit to the southern part of Mexico, where the cacti are perhaps less visited than those in the north.
  • Wednesday 12th December
Alice Vanden Bon - South Africa
I imagine a visit to see the succulents and other plants of South Africa.

2013 Meetings

  • Wednesday 9th January
    2013
Annual General Meeting


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Author: Clarke Brunt (clarke.brunt@viridis.net)
Last modified: 27tyh March 2012