Still growing strong after 80 years

Thorpe and District Gardening Club, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, is welcoming more recruits to join its green-fingered brigade.

With over 40 members from Thorpe and Sprowston and nearby villages, the club meets at the St Francis Church Hall on Rider Haggard Road, Heartsease, most months. Formed in 1946, shortly after the end of the war, it was originally an allotment and a gardening for pleasure group, eventually splitting into two clubs/societies.

DEDICATION: Long-standing club member Angie Cossey in her greenhouse potting up for a plant sale.

“We’ve only just realised that 2026 marks 80 years since the group was originally founded and also 30 years since the gardening side changed its name to Thorpe and District Gardening Club,” said member Wendy Witham.

“Many of the club members over the years were involved in other groups in gardening, judging, showing including working with Norwich in Bloom and Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society.

“In more recent times our members have been involved in planting with Girl Guides and school gardening as well as club events such as our plant sales in May where we sell plants grown by members and chat with gardeners and those in the early stages of learning about plants and planting, often learning from each other.

FUND-RAISER: A sale of plants grown by club members.
Photos: THORPE GARDENING CLUB.

“These days are always enjoyable. Also in past years we have held public events, such as talks by Bob Flowerdew, Alan Gray and the Garden Party team from Radio Norfolk. These events and our annual lunch were held at the Cottage in Thorpe St Andrew and were always good fun.”

Avid club member Roger Berry added: “Our members are a friendly bunch, many have been friends for many years, while others have built up friendships along the way. We are far from all being “experts”, but we have a mix of abilities when it comes to knowledge and are always happy to learn more. I enjoy getting involved with all the club activities, the good-hearted banter with fellow members and the wide range of speakers that we have each month.

“To anyone thinking of coming along, I would say, give it a go, like all clubs the more you put in the more you get out.”

Meetings take place at St Francis Church Hall on the Heartsease, where the club moved in 2011 after many years of meeting at the Windmill on Plumstead Road. Off -road parking is available next to the church. Meetings are on the last Tuesday of the month, except for December.

The club has unveiled a programme of speakers covering a range of topics, not always gardening, and once a year there is  a charity/good cause talk with a donation made from the plant sales events.

AT THE HELM: Club chair Jackie Berry with January guest speaker Graeme Simmonds.

A full annual membership is £10, or £3 per person to visit a meeting. Membership also gives access to certain events and shows  held by Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society. There is also a monthly newsletter and a buffet at the October AGM. For details visit the Thorpe and District Gardening Club Facebook page. Email: thorpedistrictgardeningclub.co.uk or ring Roger (07972869388).

February 24: Jason Breed (Moles Seeds), Hardy Annuals.

March 31: Matt Wickens, NWT Urban Nature Reserves Manager: Sweetbriar.

April 28: Paul Corfield, Brassicas.

May 9: Plant Sale 1 venue TBC.

May 16: Plant Sale 2 venue TBC.

May 26: Tony Brown, Gardening for Wildlife.

June 30: Star Throwers Charity Talk.

July 28: Graham Watts, NGS History plus Norfolk Gardens (their 100th anniversary is 2027).

August 25: Rosemary Ward, Up and Down the Pyrenees.

September 29: Brian Hedge, Gardens of Cornwall

October 27: AGM.

November 24: Dr Ian Bedford, Slugs.