BRIGHTON ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH
BRIGHTON ROAD
HORSHAM
RH13 5BD
The venue has disabled access
MEETINGS COMMENCE AT 7.30 p.m., with a RAFFLE and REFRESHMENTS
Members – Free entry Guests – £5.00
| 2025 14th October: Andrew Gaunt – The Role of the Plant Quarantine Service: Dealing with Alien Pests and Diseases Andrew works for the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate, which is now part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (an executive Agency of DEFRA), and has been a Plant Health and Seeds Inspector for over 25 years in West Sussex, based at Chichester. He will tell us about Defra’s Plant Quarantine service in protecting the Food Supply Chain, Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and the Environment from alien pests and diseases. He will cover the daily work of the inspectorate in looking at plants and plant products on import or ready for export, the Nursery Plant Passport Scheme and dealing with findings of quarantine pests and diseases. The talk will also cover some of the recent outbreak work in West Sussex such as Pine Processionary Moth, Tobacco Whitefly and Potato Brown Rot. 28th October: Andy Thomas – Crop Circles The crop circle mystery… Andy explores the extraordinary phenomenon of crop circles. These intricate shapes appear in fields around the world each year and still defy total explanation. This presentation reveals the fascinating history of the mysterious patterns and designs, and the many varied theories put forward to explain them. 11th November: Clive Cobie – Sussex & Surrey Coppice Group Clive is a member of the Sussex & Surrey Coppice Group, whose members are committed to promoting the coppice industry and informing landowners and the public of the importance of having traditional coppice woodlands brought back into production. Clive will cover some of the history of coppicing, and the potential for nature and communities by bringing back old copse, to create a rotation of biodiversity, as the seeds are already dormant in the soil, a much needed resource for the pollinators etc. He will explain the benefits of Biochar to the soil and crops, its place in our future food security, how it is made and charged, and the potential for its use in citizen science experiments. 25th November: Nir Halfon – Biodynamics Biodynamic growing focuses on creating a healthy and balanced ecosystem where the soil, animals and plants all thrive. Biodynamics considers the influence of lunar and planetary cycles on plant growth, plus the timing of planting and harvesting. We will hear all about this interesting subject from Nir. 9th December: Christmas Social Join us for our annual Christmas Social and enjoy a buffet and hot and cold drinks, a Quiz or two, and a photographic review of the year. There will also be a Grand Christmas raffle. 2026 13th January: AGM and Worth Park Happy New Year! As usual our AGM will take a short time, followed by a short presentation by Stephen Peters telling us all about Worth Park, which covers 8 hectares in Pound Hill, Crawley. Stephen is the head gardener and curator of Worth Park Gardens, and he will be telling us all about the plant and horticultural practices used in the park. Worth Park has formal gardens, a Victorian fountain, an arboretum and a lake. The park was restored in 2013 using various funding sources, including from the lottery. We are hoping to visit the park as one of our evening outings at a future date. 10th February: Geoffrey Mead – Feeding the Nation Farming is a vital part of the nation’s identity, whether the arable fields of East Anglia or the sheep in the South Downs. This talk looks at the regional variety of farming. Weald and Downland, coast or upland and how it has developed over time to give us important farm subjects such as South down sheep, Sussex cattle and Dorking fowls. We will also learn how agriculture has changed over the past 200 years. 10th March: Inter Society Quiz It is Horsham’s turn to host the quiz this year, where we will be joined by other local societies to compete for the small but prestigious cup! We hope you will be able to come along to support the team and enjoy a buffet and raffle. |
INTER SOCIETY QUIZ
Date: Tuesday, 10th March 2026 at 7.30 pm
at: Brighton Road Baptist Church,Horsham, RH13 6BD
Please contact a member of the Committee if you wish to be on the team
SHOW DATES 2026
Spring Show Sunday, 29th March
Summer Show Sunday, 9th August
Schedules will be available on our website
Photographic Competition categories
(to be judged at the Spring Show):
- Something beginning with’R’
- A View Through a Window
- After the Rain
- Green
Join us on
SUBSCRIPTIONS
The annual subscription is £20 per person and is due on 1 October. Subscriptions can be paid at our winter meetings or by post to Carolyn Smith, Little Oaks, Kentwyns Drive, Horsham, RH13 6EU. Subscriptions can also be paid by bank transfer, after 1st October – please ask for details. Children of existing members may become members with no subscription charge.
Application forms for membership are available from Carolyn Smith, or on our website,
horshamhorticulturalsociety.co.uk
Visitors are welcome to any meeting at a charge of £5 per meeting.
SUNFLOWER NEWS
This is our annual newsletter which contains hints/tips on gardening and news from the Society. Short items are very welcome for inclusion and should be sent to Lynda Cheeseman (lynda54@hotmail.co.uk). Inclusions may be shortened and cannot be guaranteed to be published.
THE JUBILEE CUP: This is an opportunity for members, including novices and newcomers, to bring along an exhibit of flowers, pot plants, vegetables, floral arrangements, preserves, cakes, craft items etc. to our Winter Meetings. Points will be awarded individually. The person gaining the highest number of points from four entries over the course of the Winter Meetings will be awarded the Jubilee Cup. The cup will be awarded at the last evening meeting.