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What is the Gloucestershire Federation of Gardening Societies?
The Federation, or GFGS, is a charitable organisation with a current membership of more than 130 clubs and societies. It offers advice, help and support.
Who can Join the Federation?
Membership is open to all gardening clubs and societies, specialist groups, show groups, allotment associations etc. In fact, membership is open to any group in Gloucestershire or its neighbouring counties with an interest in horticulture at any level.
Individual gardeners are urged to join an affiliated gardening club or society, or to ask their current club to join the Federation.
Click here for a list of current GFGS members.
What is the Cost of Joining?
The current GFGS membership fee is just £12 per annum. However, it is a condition of membership that all clubs and societies have public liability Insurance to protect them in the case of injuries and accidents at their meetings, demonstrations, exhibitions and shows. This can be arranged independantly or through the Federation, which is able to offer Public Liability Insurance and also specialist insurance cover for cups, trophies etc. at competitive rates.
How Can we Join?
| Contact:
| Rev John Wilson
General Secretary
CwmWell Cottage
Little Dewchurch
Hereford HR2 6PS
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| Telephone:
| 01432 840 559
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| Email:
| john.wilson1@mypostofficeDELETE.co.uk
(Remove DELETE from address)
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What are the Benefits of Joining the Federation?
The Federation provides:
- Advice and Support in setting up new clubs
- Advice and help with any problems in running a club
- A list of speakers for meetings
- Lists of judges for shows
- Training for novice judges and refresher courses for existing judges
- Training for Show Stewards
- A regular newsletter
- Visits to Clubs on request
- Promotion of club membership at events such as the Malvern Autumn Show.
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How is the Federation Run?
A voluntary Executive Committee comprising representatives of member clubs, elected at the Annual General Meeting, meets four times a year to:
- set policies for the Federation
- work on ways to generate more interest in growing and showing
- promote GFGS member societies with the national horticultural arena
- promote competition between local clubs and societies
- organise the Annual General Meeting, which is an opportunity for members of clubs to meet and to discuss matters of mutual interest.
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A Message from the President of the Federation
I have taken over from Carolyn Elwes after her successful five year tenure as your President. I am delighted to have been asked to succeed her and look forward to the next five years.
Gardening is in my blood as I was born at Kiftsgate Court near Chipping Campden. The gardens were created by my grandmother, Heather Muir, in the 1920s. Encouraged by Lawrence Johnson at Hidcote my grandmother set aboutlaying out the gardens as we see them today. My mother, Diany Binny, then took over the running of the garden in the 1950s and my husband Johnny and I moved back to Kiftsgate in the 1980s.
Over the years each generation has added and created new areas and of course planted masses of new plants and trees. The garden has been open to the public for many years and now attracts around sixteen thousand visitors a year. None of us has been trained in horticulture but have learnt by being ‘hands on’ and being taught by the previous generation.
Local gardening societies have always been welcomed to Kiftsgate as their members are enthusiastic and knowledgeable and, as we know, you inevitably learn from seeing other peoples’ gardens and plants. Our local gardening societies in Mickleton and Ebrington are very pro-active and play a vital part in the local community.
I also have the honour this year of being High Sheriff of Gloucestershire which is enabling me to travel the County and meet organizations and individuals who do a huge amount of work on behalf of the community, the unsung heroes of the County.
Anne Chambers
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