WEST OF SCOTLAND DISCUSSION WEEKEND 3rd - 5th OCTOBER 2008

[Maggi Young]

Isn't it wonderful... this weekend had ALL the things that make ME happy.... plants, friends, fun, food and yes, CAKE!! 
To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the SRGC there was delicious fruit cake ( well combined with a strong liquor) and beautifully iced with a replica of our logo Dryas octopetala .... I beleive the fab cakes ( for two were needed to satisfy the large audience!) were made by the sister-in-law of the local group treasurer, Peggy Anderson.... very fine cake indeed!

[ranunculus]

THE AUCTION

Lot 1 ....

ANTICIPATING THE AUCTION
SOME OF THE AUCTION ITEMS
PRESIDENT; IAN CHRISTIE
A MAN WHO KNOWS HIS PLACE
"A BID OF FOUR BARS OF SWISS CHOCOLATE FOR THE BULB DIRECTOR"! - "SOLD"!
RECENTLY SOLD IAN YOUNG
AUCTION AMUSEMENT
BETTE IVEY
"THIRTY PENCE IS NOT ENOUGH MR SMETHURST"!

[ranunculus]

My final contribution to this topic ... only substantial bribes could persuade me to print the remaining shots ...

THE AUCTION

Lot 2 ...

The delightful painting was by Anne Chambers - one of the mainstays of the event - my thanks to Anne and the SRGC for an exceptional weekend.

Where are all the other images taken during those three days ... please post?

[ichristie]

To our great friend Cliff, many thanks indeed for so many great pictures, a good flavour of the SRGC Discussion weekend. We did really enjoy being able to share with you and everyone who made the journey to Clydebank this yearly meeting for friendship, food a  dram and the love of the wee plants. The two Ann's and the team were fantastic now looking forward to a well earned rest. I say Haste ye back to next years weekend a tonic ( probably with Gin) or some amber liquid to be sure will welcome you once again cheers to you and all our friends, Ian the Christie kind

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Outstanding report from what has surely been a wonderful event Cliff ! 
Thank you very much indeed for taking the trouble to give us an idea of everything we unfortunately missed.  This report is the closest we get to actually being there.... maybe next year... 

[David Nicholson]

Looks to have been a 'good do'. Thanks for the pictorial report Cliff. As Luc says-maybe next year!

[mark smyth]

I've been to 4 weekends and highly recommend them. Do you realise if you save £5 a week from now you will have enough money left by to pay for the event that wont leave a dent in the bank account. That's just one packet of cigarettes. Maybe SRGC should set up a savings scheme!

[Maggi Young]

Mark, that is excellent advice... start saving now for the 2009 weekend, which will be held in the Inchyra Grange Hotel, Grangemouth  on 2nd, 3rd and 4th October 2009   



 I have around 175 pix to post... so bear with me, pals!

[Maggi Young]

I'll start with some pix of the show plants... all rather general views, I'm afraid.... not like Cliff's fine portraits, but I hope you'll get a "flavour"....

...click on the pix to see the enlarged versions....

[Maggi Young]

and some more....

[Maggi Young]

next......

[Maggi Young]

more, not all plants.....
Margaret Edwards, wife of SRGC Journal Editor, Anton, sported a very natty handbag, certainly worth a prize 

Sandy leven won several trophies, though I cannot think which  He can let me know!
Diane Clement, won the trophy for the best plant in Section II and the SRGC &5th Anniversary print for her fine Sternbergia.

[Maggi Young]

Now for some people pix, as promised.... I believe I have "captured" all of those attending the Saturday dinner, so that is all but a handful of the weeknd's delegates...... you will see that some appear more than once!

Let us begin with the  the President and that Cake.... then the fine Piper with the two Annes ( whose organising skills are legion) and our smart President Ian....

as ever, click the pix to see larger version...

President and cake.jpg
piper , two Annes and President Ian.jpg
Piper leads company into dinner.JPG
Allison and Ian Doig, Fay and Stephen Connelly.JPG
Ann and Ian Christie,Liz Mills ,Viv and Anne Chambers.JPG
Anne Bush and Stella Rankin.JPG
Anne Chambers ,Jackie Thomlinson, Darren and Susan Sleep.JPG
Anne Leven, Greta McHarrie, Liz Loch.JPG
AnneBush, EvelynStevens, PIPER, Peggy Anderson.JPG
Anthony Mitchell, Johnnie and Gwen Black,Sten Beckman.JPG

[Maggi Young]

more.....
AudreyLeach, Hillary Coppen, John Lee, Sam Sutherland.
Big John Amand, Carol Shaw, Ian Young, Helen Amand.
Bill Robinson, June Dougherty, Brian Duncan and Bob Gordon.
Billy Moore, Martin Walsh, David and Margaret Thorne.
BillyMoore .Martin Walsh, David and Margaret Thorne,Julia Corden
BulbDespot, Helen Amand, Carole and Ian Bainbridge
CaroleB, Robert R  Henry and Margaret Taylor, David Shaw
Catherine Wilson and President Ian Christie
David Mowle ,Ju and Mike Bramley
David Shaw and Maggi Young in chorus.

[Maggi Young]

more......

Davie and Maggie Sharp. John and Rosemary Lupton, Glassford Sprunt.
Diane and Lionel Barnwell, Gerben Tjeerdsma.
Diane Clement Shelagh and Brian Smethurst, Ken East
Diane Clement Shelagh and Brian Smethurst Ken East
Fred Bundy, Tony Rymer and Anne Wright
Fred Hunt, Susan Band, Alice Hunt, Anne Leven.
Gareth Williams, Stan Da Prato, Anne Bush.
George Sevastopulo and Anne Wright
Gerben Tjeerdsma. Ron McBeath. Sidney Clarke, Susan McBeath.
Glassford Sprunt, Rosemary Cox, Celia Mitchell