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The New Forest Fuchsia Society was founded in 1973 by a group of enthusiasts living mainly in the Waterside area. The inaugural meeting was held in the Red Cross Hut in Hythe. In the early years, meetings were held at various venues, but mainly in the Hythe area. With the ever growing interest in the genus and the enthusiasm of Members, the Society flourished and with ever increasing numbers, eventually moved to its present home in Lyndhurst, where it enjoys the facilities of the local Community Centre.
Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month, (except December), at Lyndhurst Community Centre which is located in the Main Car Park, High Street, Lyndhurst. The meetings start at 7.30pm. A varied programme of talks, demonstrations, events, etc. on Fuchsias and all aspects of gardening, with time being set aside each month for discussion of fuchsia topics. A modest subscription gives free admission to all of our meetings and access to the Annual Show. Members also receive regular free newsletters, as well as the use of our interesting library. This contains most of the popular Fuchsia titles, as well as a variety of other gardening books. Some nurseries, including St. Margaret's Fuchsia Nursery (Titchfield), offer discounts to our members on production of our membership card.
Tea or coffee with biscuits is also offered at a minimal cost and the interval is a good time to chat and make new friends and also to try your luck in our monthly raffle. A "Table Show" is a feature of each meeting with points being awarded for best exhibits. At the end of each season, trophies are awarded to the Members gaining most points throughout the year. We have classes for both Fuchsia and non Fuchsia exhibits and all Members are welcome to enter. There are many good bargains to be had from our "Sales Table" both in the way of plants and sundries such as pots, labels and pesticides. From time to time we meet with other Fuchsia Groups and Gardening Clubs to hold quiz evenings or displays. Our skittle evening is always very popular. We also enjoy our coach trips to various gardens and nurseries. Perhaps, our Annual Show which is always held on the first Saturday in August, can be considered the "shop window" of the Society's calendar. With almost 40 classes in the schedule, including an Open Class, competition is keen but always friendly. We also now have a "craft class" so one can bring other skills to the show bench, provided that they can be related to Fuchsias. Decoupage, glass painting and cross stitch are but a few possibilities for this class. Senior Members are always on hand to encourage and advise the inexperienced as well as the more advanced grower. The New Forest Fuchsia Society is affiliated to the British Fuchsia Society, the Royal Horticultural Society and the Hampshire Federation of Horticultural Societies and so has access to a wealth of knowledge and interest. Why not come along to the Lyndhurst Community Centre on the last Wednesday of each month and enjoy the benefits and friendship that being a member of the New Forest Fuchsia Society brings? Click on Home to go to top of page
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Club History |