www.naylandhortsoc.org.uk

The present Nayland & District Horticultural Society has been active since 1981 although there has been a Horticultural Society in existence in the parish since the late 1800s.  At times during the 1900s the annual show was combined with a sports show and a fair. 

These days HortSoc's aims are to arrange activities and fund raising events throughout the year including its annual Flower Show in August.  We currently have over 100 members and are affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society.  

Annual membership is available for just £2, or £3 for joint membership.  However, many of our events and activities are open to non members. 

Non-members may also enter exhibits in the Spring Show and the Annual Flower Show which has classes for vegetables, fruit, flowers, floral arranging, cookery and preserves, crafts, photography.  There is also a family section and children's sections for age groups under 8 and 9 to 14 years. 

Our calendar of events and show schedule will be available from mid March.  For more information or to receive an email version please contact the Secretary. 

Activities for 2011

• 15th March: Illustrated talk on photography by Geoff Meadowcroft.  Church Hall, Bear Street 7.30pm for 7.45pm. Non-members welcome.
• 26th March 2011:  Spring Show Display opens in the Church Hall at 10am, coffee, cakes & raffle. Stage entries from 8.15am to 9am. Non-members welcome.
• 19th April: AGM & Fun Quiz Evening. Church Hall, Bear Street 7.30pm
• 21st May: Morning Market. 9.30am Church Hall, Bear Street. Fundraising sale of bedding plants, books, gifts, cakes, preserves. Coffee & raffle.
• 7th June: Coach outing to Merriments Gardens & Great Dixter House & Gardens.  Leaving Nayland at 9am and departing from Great Dixter at 5pm. The cost will be £25 to include travel and entrance to both venues. These are very popular venues so please book early to avoid disappointment. Non-members welcome. For more information contact Lorraine Brooks or go to our website (details below).
• 15th July: 30th Anniversary Garden Party.  (members only)
• 6th August: 30th Annual Flower Show. 2pm Nayland Village Hall, includes: Produce Stall, Teas, Raffle.  There are classes for Vegetables, Fruit, Flowers, Cookery, Preserves, Craft, Photography and there are Family and Children's Sections. Non-members are welcome to enter.
• 18th September: minibus outing to Helmingham Hall Gardens & Plant Fair Numbers are limited - this will be a members outing. The plant fair, organised with Plant Heritage, includes: plant doctors, apple detectives, specialist nurseries, national plant collections, and various horticultural stalls.
• 18th October: Illustrated talk by Matthew Tanton Brown. 'Vegetable Growing and Allotments', 7.40 for 8pm Church Hall, Bear Street. Non-members welcome. 
• 8th November: Joint meeting with Conservation Society. Talk by the RSPB on 'Homes for Wildlife', 7.40 for 8pm Nayland Village Hall. Non-members welcome.
• Sunday 27th November:  Christmas Fayre, HortSoc will have a fundraising stall selling seasonal items, gifts and a raffle at the Community Council's Christmas Fayre, 12noon-2pm Nayland Village Hall.

Activities for 2012

• 20th March: Illustrated talk on 'The Victorian Garden: the golden age of gardening' by Terry Illsley.  Church Hall, Bear Street 7.30pm for 7.45pm. Non-members welcome.
• 24th March 2011:  Spring Show Display opens in the Church Hall at 10am, coffee, cakes & raffle. Stage entries from 8.15am to 9am. Non-members welcome.
• 17th April: AGM & Fun Quiz Evening. Church Hall, Bear Street 7.30pm
• 19th May: Morning Market. 9.30am Church Hall, Bear Street. Fundraising sale of bedding plants, books, gifts, cakes, preserves. Coffee & raffle.
• Saturday 2nd-Tuesday 5 June: Diamond Jubilee Exhibition in St James Church, details to be confirmed. 
• June:  Annual Coach Outing - date and venue to be confirmed. 
• July: Annual Garden Party  - (members only) details to be confirmed. 
• 4th August: 31st Annual Flower Show. 2pm Nayland Village Hall, includes: Produce Stall, Teas, Raffle.  There are classes for Vegetables, Fruit, Flowers, Cookery, Preserves, Craft, Photography and there are Family and Children's Sections. Non-members are welcome to enter.
• September: activity to be decided  date and venue to be confirmed
• 16th October: Autumn speaker - to be confirmed, 7.40 for 8pm Church Hall, Bear Street. Non-members welcome. 
• 13th November: Joint meeting with Conservation Society. Talk by Neil Catchpole on 'Trees and the Stour Valley' 7.40 for 8pm Nayland Village Hall. Non-members welcome.
• Saturday 1st December:  Christmas Fayre, HortSoc will have a fundraising stall selling seasonal items, gifts and a raffle at the Community Council's Christmas Fayre, 12noon-2pm Nayland Village Hall.

Officers & Committee:

Chairman:  Trevor Smy
Treasurer:  Sylvia Bond
Secretary:  Lorraine Brooks  -  01206 262807     lorraine.nayland@btinternet.com  

Committee:  Mrs Hazel Gardiner, Mrs Olive Noakes, Mrs Anne Spencer & Mr Colin Ramsell.

Membership Secretary:  Lorraine Brooks, 50 Gravel Hill, Nayland CO6 4JB  

Website:   www.naylandhortsoc.org.uk