SRGC Discussion Weekend- 1st -3rd October 2010

[Maggi Young]

The 2010 Discussion Weekend will again take place at the Inchyra Grange Hotel.


Where is it and how do you get there?
http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/inchyragrange/location/index.htm

Two minutes from the M9 between Stirling and Edinburgh, this old Manor House has been transformed into a comfortable modern hotel with all the facilities that we rock gardeners would expect from a this four-star residence in the heart of central Scotland.



Two minutes from the M9 between Stirling and Edinburgh, this old Manor House has been transformed into a comfortable modern hotel with all the facilities that we rock gardeners would expect from a this four-star residence in the heart of central Scotland.
Set in 44 acres of ground, the Macdonald Inchyra Grange hotel is in the great location to explore some of the richest history Scotland has to offer. The Wallace Monument (1), Stirling Castle (2), Bannockburn Heritage Centre (3), Edinburgh Castle  (4) are only a few attractions within a short drive. There is also the feat of modern engineering that is the Falkirk Wheel (5)just a ten minute drive away.
1) http://www.nationalwallacemonument.com/
2) http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/
3) http://www.instirling.com/sight/bannock.htm
4) http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/
5) http://www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk/
and fwhat about the Blair Drummond Safari Park for those who like a little wilder life?
http://www.blairdrummond.com/      

Or, for a fine country house visit, Callendar House tells stories spanning 600 years of Scottish history and is situated amidst magnificent park and woodland. Through wars, rebellions and the industrial revolution, the house has played host to many great historical figures over the centuries, including Mary, Queen of Scots, Cromwell and Bonnie Prince Charlie……. You could be next!
 http://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/community/cultural_services/planning_your_visit/callendar_house.aspx  

But really, unless you plant to extend your visit to the area, why would you need the draw of these other attractions? The local committee has again proved their colours by arranging a grand weekend of entertainment and erudition to amuse and delight you.
Speakers have been "rounded up fae hither and yon" as we say and will make presentatinons on a range of subjects.
There will be the SRGC Show to enter, giving judges decisions to provide happy interludes of discussion between enjoying the Talks, eating, buying plants, eating, buying more plants, drinking and generally having a great time with around 150 like minded folk..... what could be a better way to spend the first weekend in October?

[Maggi Young]

Details about the weekend and cost, booking etc.....

[Lesley Cox]

Oh, so THAT'S where he'll be appearing.

[Maggi Young]

Oh, Lesley, that's not the only place Toolie will be appearing... he's on a tour of several Groups, we'll be working him to the very bone!

[Lesley Cox]

He's a tough, Southern Man. He can take it. Better be taking a million pictures, too.

[Darren]

Not going this year I'm afraid.  We are going the the bulb display at RBGE in September and hope to make a weekend of it. Hopefully we will see some of you there.

[Maggi Young]

A reminder to you to make your booking for the SRGC Discussion Weekend..... I have sent mine in!

[Liz Mills]

And Maggi's not telling fibbies - I've had her booking and cashed her cheque already.  It should be a great weekend - even better than last year's.

[Maggi Young]

For those of you who want to book (but can't find your booking form and want to steal a march on the rush that will result from the publication ofthe next notice in the July Journal!).... here is a pfd for you to print out for use....
 SRGC DISCUSSION WEEKEND BOOKING FORM2010.pdf (110.56 kB - downloaded 173 times.)

[Maggi Young]

A reminder of the Speakers for the weekend:
 
Finn Haugli; former Director of the Arctic Alpine Botanic Garden in Norway, Dr. Haugli earned his Ph.D. in molecular genetics at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and was a professor in molecular genetics and cell biology at the University of Tromso since it opened in 1968and was the first Director and guiding light of the Arctic Alpine Botanic Garden, the most northerly in the world. His subjects will be his sixteen years at the Garden, at 70 degrees North and the native plants from the Troms region. .
 
Brian Mathew;  botanist, horticulturalist and author, whose contribution to horticulture has been recognised with an MBE and VMH (Victoria Medal of Honour). Firmly grounded in alpines and a great devotee of all bulbs, Brian is something of a hero in my plant world!
Brian will speak on “Cyclamen in Nature, Art, Science and the Garden”

David Millward is a professional geologist, Team Leader, Resources and Environments in Upper Palaeozoic Basins for the British Geological Survey, and the Forum’s own “Dr Rock”.
You may be aware of his  articles for AGS bulletins etc and on the SRGC  website….http://www.srgc.org.uk/monthfeature/august2004/content.html
http://www.srgc.org.uk/monthfeature/march2005/content.html
David will talk on Limestone Landscapes and their plants.


Dave Toole better known in these pages as  “t00lie” ; a New Zealander who spends as much time as he can exploring the mountains to see the wonderful native flora, though he does have to do some real work as a landscape gardener from time to time. Dave will be the SRGC Travelling Speaker in 2010. See his great posts in the Southern Hemisphere pages. At the D/Weekend t00lie will be telling us about his favourite New Zealand Alpines from the South Island and their flowers foliage and form.


Brian and Maureen Wilson are also well known Forumists from the Aberdeenshire Group. These two have few rivals in the propagation of tricky subjects such as rare gesneriads ,of which they have bred some very interesting hybrids,( e.g. x Ramberlea ‘Inchgarth’ ) and they have tremendous success with seed raising  Shortias. They have a particular interest in Scottish native wildflowers and this will be their subject for the John Duff Lecture.   
See the index of the Rock Garden to see articles by Brian and Maureen:
 http://www.srgc.org.uk/index/content.html


Ian Young, a proud former president of the SRGC, artist, photographer and unapologetic plant obsessive, is affectionately (well, that what we tell him!) known as the BD, or “Bulb Despot”. His ambition is to get as many people growing and enjoying bulbs as he possibly can. To that end Ian has written the Bulb Log Diary for the SRGC website  every week since 2003. These are all archived here:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=bulb
 His  favourite bulbs are Erythroniums…no need to guess what the subject of his Bulb Night talk will be!

[Maggi Young]

Time is fairly whizzing along....




and so is the chance to  book for the Discussion weekend!

At the moment we have the capacity to have every room in the hotel..... but nevertheless if you want to come to this great weekend, it would be best to get your booking in to Liz Mills in the next couple of weeks to be sure of a place.

As you can see from the list of speakers above, there is the prospect of tremendous entertaiment and enlightenment to be had.... not to mention the convivial company!

Those of us who have already booked are full of our usual happy anticipation of the event....I'd hate to think that anyone who wanted to join us was going to miss out by being late........

[Maggi Young]

Here are some images from last year to tempt you.....

click on the photos to enlarge them....

cheery gathering....

 the judges debate the show awards



Shelagh Brian and Diane - showing how well they scrub up  

The Registration Secretary is Liz Mills,
Upper Kinneddar House, Saline, Fife KY12 9TR
Telephone  01383 852321  e-mail   liz.salineAThotmail.co.uk ( correct this to include @, of course!   )
Please contact Liz  if you require further information.

I will post a printable application form here soon   though there should be one arriving with your latest journal if it has not already done so.

[Maggi Young]

Booking form and remittance should reach Liz by the 6th August  - later bookings may be accepted but a  late booking fee of £10 will be charged.

Booking form to print out and post.....

 DISCUSSION WEEKEND BOOKING FORM 2010.pdf (12.34 kB - downloaded 126 times.)

[shelagh]

WOW Fancy using us to advertise it Maggi.  We are looking forward to it and Diane is even threatening to drive up this year so she can bring plants for the SHOW.  No pressure on the rest of us then.

[Maggi Young]

WOW Fancy using us to advertise it Maggi.  We are looking forward to it and Diane is even threatening to drive up this year so she can bring plants for the SHOW.  No pressure on the rest of us then.

Shelagh, what can I say.... I know  you folks really enjoy the event and it is true that you scrub up much better than the rest of us , so it gives a good impression to the readers!!