NPVS

[grenadier]

Hi
Does anyone belong to the National Pansy Viola Society. I would like to become a member but am finding it difficult finding out who to make contact with any help appreciated.

[Maggi Young]

Not only are there no email contacts given on any of the web sources for the National Pansy and Viola Society - only a postal contact which may well be out of date :Secretary & Journal/Newsletter Editor: John Snocken, Hon Sec, NVPS, Cleeway, Fardington, Bridgnorth Shropshire, WV1 6 5JT )  there are precious few for the Scottish Pansy & Viola Association, although a show was seemingly held in Ayr last year, where the president is mentioned as being  Mr Albany McKay.

Perhaps contact might be made through one of the well-known Viola nurseries ?

 Elizabeth MacGregor in Kirkcudbright  ( www.elizabethmacgregornursery.co.uk/  ) ;   
Victorian Violas in Lincoln  ( http://www.victorianviolas.co.uk/ )
and Wildgoose Nursery in Shropshire ( www.boutsviolas.co.uk/ )


A note on the MacGregor site just takes you to the link that seems a dead end...  https://floristpansyviola.wordpress.com/

[Maggi Young]

Hmm, finally found this on that wordpress site :

"About

Welcome  and thank you for visiting this site.
Visitors to this site wishing to join, for the 2015 year, should forward to details, as explained below,to the society’s treasurer .

MRS E.BAKER 104 BRYANSTON ROAD, SOLIHULL ,WEST MIDLANDS B91 1BP.

The year runs from the February 2015 for 12 months. The cost is A MINIMUM, £6, any donations welcome  .payable by cheque made out to NVPS ( NATIONAL. VIOLA PANSY SOCIETY )  please include your name,full address , phone number, and if you include your e-mail address you will be,  if you wish , sent  some extra growing advice. (please see below)on a monthly basis from January to November.

You will be sent upon first joining..

The limited edition, Centenary Lapel Badge. and an illustrated publication giving the 100 year history ,and time line of the Society . This has been written by JOHN SNOCKEN THE WORLD FAMOUS AUTHORITY ON THIS GENUS.2014 was the Centenary Year of Society.

Also, two publications ,during the year, compiled in the main from members stories about their own adventures in growing hybridising , and sometimes showing.

On joining, if you include your e-mail address, your membership entitles you to ten monthly e-mail newsletter giving illustrated cultural hints AS HOW TO GROW AND THEN INCREASE YOUR STOCK FOR FREE.
this will give a suggested monthly growing calendar from Feb to November .
Safely sent via Bcc to keep your email address secure.

We have regional reps throughout England and Scotland ,( growers from Wales and Ireland needed to join this band of enthusiasts ), who can be rung up to seek advice if needed during the season.

In addition we are running a class for new members only at our Annual show  this year,with prizes of £50 ,£30 and £20 , full details will be in the show schedule issued to members only. "


Clearly a website that does not function as one - you're back to snail mail !

[Alan_b]

This is off-topic but I have never understood the difference between a viola and a pansy.  Can somebody elucidate?

[Maggi Young]

I expect there is a more formal description somewhere on the  site for the society, Alan - but,  for me - a viola
 ( violet) is a little wild flower or smallish hybrid while a pansy is a large, more rounded  cultivated flower.  Of course, confusion arises because pansy is used  as a common name  for violas/violets in some areas.

I suppose  violets, pansy, heartsease are the most often encountered names.

[Alan_b]

My wife favours the name "Johnny Jump Up".   There is a suggestion here http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/garden/557646/How-tell-difference-between-violas-pansies that

the way to tell the difference is that pansies have four petals pointing upwards, and only one pointing down, while violas have three petals pointing up and two pointing down.

but that is the only reference I have found to that distinction.

[Maggi Young]

I'd heard the name "Johnny Jump Up" but I don't think I'd cottoned on to what it referred to.

The  question made me consult  wikipedia!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pansy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viola_%28plant%29
   

[grenadier]

Maggie
Many thanks for you help on this one. I have sent my details with a cheque to the address in Solihull as shown, hopefully I will get a reply. Once again thank you. ~. grenadier.