We meet at St Mary's Church Hall, Handbridge, Chester, normally on the last Friday of the month. The Hall is open from 7.30pm. Presently, there are no meeting in December or July.
A programme of speakers is organised and talks vary from orchid hunting in the wild to cultivation of different types of orchid. All members get a chance to question the speaker and generate interesting discussions.
We try to arrange the sale of plants regularly throughout the year
from respected nurseries.
In June of each year we hold an auction where members buy and sell plants. Between 100 and 200 plants are sold each year usually at very advantageous prices. A seller's and buyer's premium operates and the cash is donated to the Society. This is an excellent way to extend a collection and try new types of orchid.
We have frequent News-sheets during the year, distributed by e-mail where possible. These contain news about the Society meetings, other events and items of interest.
We have an extensive library that contains many books suitable for
beginners and experts alike. Members can borrow books for one month and
can browse the reference books, which cannot be loaned out.
The Society supports orchid conservation and has donated funds to
both the Rio Atlantic Trust, a rainforest orchid conservation project
in Brazil, to refurbish a study centre for visiting students and
holiday visitors and also to Treborth Botanical Garden to help to
insulate their orchid house.
Members are encouraged to bring their plants in flower to each meeting. Records are kept of how these plants are grown and sometimes, individual plants are discussed with the owner. There is a wealth of information within the Society and it is our tradition that this is shared and freely exchanged amongst members.
At most meetings there is a raffle. Members usually donate plants and other garden items. Refreshments such as tea and coffee are available during the evening usually immediately after the speaker. A small charge is made.
Annual subscriptions are currently £13 for double membership
at the same address and £9 for a single person. These are
normally paid to the Membership Secretary at or just after the October
meeting. .
The Society is a registered charity No.1022742. Tax paying members can benefit the Society by using 'Gift Aid'. Details can be obtained from the Treasurer at any of the meetings.
The Society is a member of the British Orchid Council (BOC) and sends two representatives to its meetings. CANWOS is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and members can use some of the benefits available.