11th. April  2017
Ralph Trinder
It was very sad to have heard about the loss of our much loved friend Ralph Trinder.

Ralph was a larger than life character within The National Begonia Society. He always greeted friends with a big ''Hello there'' deep loud Welsh voice. He was well know throughout the country and visited Ayr Flower Show, Portchester, Harrogate, Bideford, The National and of course The South Wales Area Shows yearly.
Dorothy fondly named Ralph- Trotter Trinder, as he travelled everywhere following the Begonia Shows from North to South of the country.

Our heart felt sympathy is extended to all Ralph's family. He will be surely missed by all.Ralph's funeral will be on Thursday, 20th; April, at Bethesda Chapel opposite Ralph's house at  noon, 2, Bethesda Place, Rogerston, Newport, NP10 9FF.

APRIL 3^rd.   2017
Obituary - RALPH TRINDER

On Sunday I was advised that my old friend Ralph had died the night before. Those that have known him will know that he suffered a stroke some 3 years ago and was in a care home. Ralph continued to be a member and was regularly visited by our South Wales members.
 Ralph was a good friend of  mine for a good many years, he often rang me to ask for advise and just to tell me how wonderful life was. I have missed our conversations since his stroke and his singing Welsh voice, but continued to ask about his welfare. Ralph was one of the keenest growers in the NBS and regularly exhibited at our shows. He introduced Daisy Trinder as a seedling. However I will remember Ralph best for his enthusiasm and good humour. The condolences of the whole society go out to his family.
 I am sure we will all miss him.

FEBRUARY 14^th. 2017
Obituary
I heard this morning that Margaret Owen wife of Derek had passed away peacefully yesterday. Derek has always been a keen member  of the NBS putting up wonderful displays with the late Ken Gallagher at Shrewsbury. They were winners of the best exhibit in the trade tent on more than one occasion. Margaret was always to be found on the stand promoting Derek and Begonias in general. I personally had known her for around 30 years and  found her to be a wonderful friendly person. 

She will be sorely missed by all that knew her. Please can all member remember Derek and support him where possible at this sad time. 

18^th. May 2015 - I was informed that Jeanie Telford the wife of our Editor had
passed away after a long illness. The thoughts of the whole Society are with Derek and his family at this sad time.
 Our sincere condolences.

                                                 Robert Bryce  Secretary

January 2015

RALPH TRINDER

Ralph has been moved into a nursing home, a half mile from the hospital where he was previously.
His son Andrew took this photo two weeks ago. He is wearing the South Wales Area 'T' shirt proudly.

His speech hasn't improved as quickly as expected, however, as the photo shows, Ralph is continuing to smile. He understands everything said and tries to reply, however, his speech is not always clear and understandable. 

Both Derek Bonner, Danny Davies and I have visited Ralph on numerous occasions, the last being the week before Christmas.

Annual General Meeting  2015
The 66^th. Annual General Meeting
Saturday 10^th. January  1pm
Manningford Community Hall,  Bell's Lane,  Nr Maypole Island
Birmingham B14 5TJ
*NOT LICKLEY PARISH HALL AS PREVIOUSLY ADVISED*
NOTE
Manningford Community Centre is now back operating after the fire.
 I therefore feel that this is the best solution as many members do not use the website and would
therefore be relying on the Bulletin which states Manningford Hall.

For the attention of Committee Members' only.
Committee Meeting to begin at 10:30AM. Minutes of last year's meeting will be published in the Member's only section.
If you attend meeting please have a copy of these minutes with you.

21^st. October 2014

BERYL SPURR

   Beryl Spurr who suddenly died last weekend will be remembered by many of our older members. She was the widow of the late Vic Spurr, who was a gold and silver medal winner, and past Chairman of our society. Beryl was always at Vic’s side, enjoying their many visits around the country, especially the South Coast Area and Yorkshire and Humberside Area. Beryl has been in a care home for the past 11 years since Vic died. I have visited her on many occasions, the last time was only a fortnight before she died, she was always eager to know how various members were getting on, and loved to recall many past treasured memories.

Jeff Rhodes

4^th. September  2014

IRWIN MORGAN
Died 17^th. August 2014

 It is with great sadness that I and other members' of the South Wales Area heard about the bereavement of Irwyn Morgan aged eighty eight, who died peacefully, on Sunday, 17th. August 2014. Irwyn attended every Area Meeting and Show until very recently, when illness prevented him from attending. He was the Secretary of the Pontarddulais Agricultural and Horticultural Show for over forty years, gardening was in his blood. Irwyn worked for the South Wales Evening Post as Chief Photographer since the Second World War, retiring in 1988. As a young photographer in 1966 he covered the Aberfan disaster, where one hundred and sixteen school children died when a mountain of colliery waste engulfed their Aberfan school. He will be missed fondly. Our thoughts are with Marian his wife and family, at this very sad time.

Ian Rhys Williams.

30^th. July  2014

DENIS HAGUE
Died 29^th. July 2014

Robert Bryce

15 June 2014  OBITUARY
Donald (Don) Dewey
   It with deep regret that I report the passing of Don on Saturday 14th June after a short illness.

   Don lived in Little Stoke, South Gloucestershire and had grown, shown and judged chrysanthemums for over forty years before transferring his allegiance to begonias eight years ago.    He had exhibited from time to time at shows at Bideford, North Devon and also at Portchester on the South Coast.

   Don loved visiting shows and attended on a regular basis the National, when it was held at King’s Heath, Birmingham and also the South Wales Show at Swansea. His great love was visiting other growers and their greenhouses and talking “all things begonia”.

   Many in the South West will miss him greatly and we extend and our sympathy and condolences to his family and friends.
 

December 2013

GEOFFREY PORTER

It is with great sadness we report death of Geoffrey Porter on 10^th December at the young age of 56.

   Geoff was a stalwart member of both the National and Scottish Begonia Societies and as “our man” in Northland Ireland he grew pots, blooms and baskets to a very high standard. Geoff exhibited at numerous shows including his local Comber Show and the University of Belfast. Annually he made the journey to Malahide, Dublin, to exhibit and to promote begonias on that side of the border. Additionally, Geoff grew fuchsias and pelargoniums, again to a very high standard.

   If it had have been logistically possible he would have been a winner on any show bench on the mainland. Geoff contributed to the Bulletins and web sites of both societies. He was a regular visitor to the SBS show at Ayr and also took in Shrewsbury and Southport shows at times. Whenever he was on the mainland he would call in to visit Bellcross Nurseries and also Blackmore & Langdon.

   What many in the begonia world did not know was that he was an acclaimed canine judge both nationally and internationally, specialising in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Two years ago he was proud to judge at the Stoneleigh, Warwickshire National Show considered by many to be superior to Cruffs. Last summer, though not in the best of health, he was able to undertake a further judging assignment in the States. His critiques on the dogs he judged were outstanding and his comments were eagerly awaited by exhibitors.

   Geoff was a gentleman and one of life’s “good guys”. He will be sorely missed.

   Our condolences go out to his family and friends in North Ireland and worldwide.

Basil Billinger

NATIONAL SHOW  2014
Shrewsbury Flower Show
Friday 8th. & Saturday 9th. August
Quarry Park, Shrewsbury
Judges:   Dave Coates, Robert Bryce or Terry Tasker and Scottish Judge to be named
Further details

Pictures of last year's Show

Annual General Meeting  2014
The 65^th. Annual General Meeting
Saturday 22^nd. February   1pm
Manningford Community Hall,  Bell's Lane,  Nr Maypole Island
Birmingham B14 5TJ
There will also be a talk given by Robert Bryce. The 2014 N B S; raffle will also be drawn.

June 2013

FRED NEWTON

   For many years in the seventies, eighties and nineties Fred was a regular visitor to Shows and meetings in the South Coast and Reading Areas. For several years along with his wife and other local members he staged displays in our Society's name at the Reading Show. He later moved to Cambridgeshire but continued to support our Society, he was well known to many.
   Our sympathies go out to wife Elsie.

Brian Simmons

April 2013

MARY WEBB

   I was saddened to hear of the death of Mary Webb, the wife of our President Maurice Webb.  Mary has played an active part both as a member and a committee member of the society for many many years.  She was appointed treasurer following the death of Fred Martin.  A post she held for a good number of years before resigning the position, only to be hastily recalled to the post when the society found itself in difficult circumstances.  Thanks to Mary and others the society managed to survive.  Our sympathies go to Maurice and family.

Jeff Rhodes

NATIONAL SHOW  2013

WEBBS GARDEN CENTRE
Saturday 31^st. August & Sunday 1^st.September
 Worcester Road, Wychbold, Droitwich Spa, Worcester   WR9 0DG
2 minutes from Junction 5, M5, on the A38 between Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove
Show Secretary   Mike Avis, 19 Moreton Avenue, Bideford, Devon. EX39 3AY Tel. 01237 475914
Judges A.Bryce, R.Bryce, A.MacDougall, T.Tasker
SCHEDULE     RESULTS
Pictures of last year's Show

Annual General Meeting  2013
The 64^th. Annual General Meeting
Saturday 18^th. May   2pm
Manningford Community Hall,  Bell's Lane,  Nr Maypole Island
Birmingham B14 5TJ

April 2012
GOLD MEDAL AWARD
Society President Maurice Webb and wife Mary (for many years Treasurer) have been awarded our highest honour at this year's AGM.

The National Show 2012

NEW VENUE & NEW DATE
WEBBS GARDEN CENTRE
 Worcester Road, Wychbold, Droitwich Spa, Worcester   WR9 0DG
2 minutes from Junction 5, M5, on the A38 between Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove
Saturday 11^th. &  Sunday 12^th. August

Annual General Meeting
The 63rd. Annual General Meeting
Saturday 21^st. April   2pm
Manningford Community Hall,  Bell's Lane,  Nr Maypole Island
Birmingham B14 5TJ

November   2011   GOLD MEDAL AWARD

Brian Simmons   Website Editor
  I am greatly honoured to receive this Award that our Society has bestowed upon me.  A part of it must belong to the many members who  supported me through our wonderful years at Southsea and now with articles and pictures for this website. Along the way I have made lots of friends and probably would have made many more if I had travelled to the shows. It is your support that has kept me going and hopefully it will continue into the future. Next year will be the 10th. anniversary of our website and I would like to make it a bumper one please, without your contributions there would be no website..
   An added bonus was to have the Medal presented to me by my good friend Dave Coates (right) as we have been associated together in our Society’s activities for so many years. The fact that Dave is the current National Champion also has added a little extra status to the occasion.
   Many thanks to Dave's wife Pauline for the excellent buffet lunch. 

October   2011   GOLD MEDAL AWARD

  Chairman Len Gill presented Society Treasurer George Rushforth with his Gold Medal Award for outstanding services to the Society.

Congratulations George on behalf of all the members in our Society.
.

October   2011   GOLD MEDAL AWARD

   Society Chairman Len Gill presented Derek L Telford with his Gold Medal Award for outstanding services to the Society.
   Derek has been bulletin editor for many years.

In Derek's own words:    "It is beautiful and I am truly overjoyed by the honour which the NBS have conferred on me.   It is a mixture of feelings which assail me as I gaze at it on the side of my desk. In particular I glow with the feeling that it comes from my friends."

Congratulations Derek on behalf of all the members in our Society.

The National Show 2011

NEW VENUE
BLOOMS SOLIHULL GARDEN CENTRE
Kenilworth Road, Hampton in Arden, Solihull  B92 0LP
Saturday 3^rd. &  Sunday 4^th. September
Judges  Alan Bryce, Alan Harris, George Thompson SBS

SCHEDULE          RESULTS          PICTURES
 Pictures of last year's Show

Neville Webb
15^th. February 1930-16^th. August 2008
78 years of age.

   Neville Webb was the best sort of friend any man would have been proud to have had.  He was honest, loyal, kind, considerate, and supportive.  He was married to his best friend and love of his life Barbra, who in turn waited on him hand and foot. He lived a good life entering into several different hobbies and gave 100% of his self into every thing he entered into.  His love of the begonia came only second to that of his wife, he was competitive and always wanted to win, however when he didn’t, he was always amongst the first to congratulate the winner.  The later ten or twelve years Neville was dogged with ill health, he carried on growing as long as he could but eventually had to give up his beloved flowers. Throughout his life he made very many friends, who I am sure will miss him.  For my self it was an honour to have known him and a privilege to have had him for my friend.

The 56th. National Show.
Held in conjunction with The Gardeners Weekend.
Kings Heath Park,  Birmingham    Saturday 1st. & Sunday 2nd. September  2007

The 55th. National Show.
Held in conjunction with The Gardeners Weekend.
Kings Heath Park,  Birmingham    Saturday 2nd. & Sunday 3rd. September  2006

The 54th. National Show.
Held in conjunction with The Gardeners Weekend.
Kings Heath Park,  Birmingham    Saturday 3rd. & Sunday 4th. September  2005
  The Show  was one of the best for many years. Entries were up on last year in most classes and the quality was very good, especially in the cut bloom classes, where Ken Gallagher again won the National 12 bloom championship.   Barry Walker was champion of the pot plants in the 7 pot championship and Lakin Earl was once more the master of the restricted pots.
   Best Pot was won by Paul Lakin with Whispers, whilst I was successful with Ruby Young as best bloom.  We still need more entries next year, but this was a big improvement and a credit to the society.

The highlight on Saturday was the presentation of Society Silver Medals by Chairman Len Gill (right) to Dave Coates (left) and John Taylor (centre) for service to the society over many years.

Report & picture by Alan Harris
More Show Pictures by Alan

56^th. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

   The AGM of the society was held in the Christian Renewal Centre Solihull on Saturday 9th April with a very poor attendance of just 21 people.  Obviously members are happy with the way things are run!!  The only resolution was a change to the rule regarding the Floral Committee where it was agreed to change the wording such that it always comprises the current judges.  This simplifies matters and removes the need to continually update the list.
   Following the meeting John Taylor showed a very interesting series of slides taken during his recent visit to New Zealand.

The 54th. National Show.
Held in conjunction with The Gardeners Weekend.
Kings Heath Park,  Birmingham    Saturday 4th. & Sunday 5th. September  2004
Unfortunately due to the weather conditions in the month before the show, entries were very low and the quality was not the best we have seen. The main prize winners were John Taylor with his entry of 7 pots and Ken Gallagher with his 12 Cut Blooms. The high point of the show was the very good entry, and quality of the non tuberous and species classes. These were the best for many years. The other high point was Ian and Christine Yeardley's entry in the display class. We must all try harder next year to get the show back to former glories.                                                                   Alan Harris

The 2004 AGM
   The 55th Annual General Meeting was held in Solihull on Saturday 13th March 2004 with the President, Maurice Webb in the chair and 29 members attended.
Picture 1 shows Maurice in the centre, with George Rushforth, Treasurer on his right and the Secretary Alan Harris.
  Andrew MacDougal was welcomed to the meeting as the new representative for the Central Area. The Secretary's and Treasurer's reports were accepted and the following officers were re-appointed. Maurice Webb, President. Len Gill, Chairman. Alan Harris, Secretary.
   The following committee members resigned in rotation and offered themselves for re-election; Dave Staines, John Taylor and Dave Hall. They were all re-elected together with Andrew MacDougal, the new Central Area Representative who now joins the committee.
Picture 2 shows that the meeting is also a social occasion and shows members enjoying a cup of tea and a chat after the meeting.

The 53rd National Show
Kings Heath Park, Birmingham on 30th &  31st Aug.  2003
    Entries were well up to previous years in total, which was amazing considering the tropical conditions in August. It was particularly pleasing to see 3 entries in each of the main pot plant classes and the standard was exceptional with Peter Read and Lakin Earl the winners.  The cut blooms entries were down with 5 entries in the 12 board class.  The standard was not as high as recent years, but still a lot better than expected.  Blooms seem to be more affected by the heat than plants.  It was nice to see Ken Gallagher back to winning ways.   We still need more entries in the non tuberous, novice and intermediate classes but all in all it was a very good show expertly managed by the stand-in Show Secretary Jeff Rhodes.          Results         Pictures

The Scottish Begonia Society honoured one of our own members when they awarded their Silver Medal to Derrick Foster for his services to their society. The photograph shows Derrick being presented with his medal by Andrew Todd, President of The Scottish Begonia Society at The Ayr Show.

The 2003 AGM of the society was held on 26th July and it was Len Gill's pleasure to present Derek Telford with the Silver Medal for many years of service to the society.  The picture shows the presentation being made at the meeting.

Left Len Gill, Chairman.  Right Derek Telford, bulletin editor.

Obituary. Vic Spurr

  After coping with the after effects of two strokes for a number of years, Vic passed away in hospital on June 1^st 2003.
   Vic was one of our longest serving members of the National Begonia Society, and was a great ambassador for the society. He and his wife Beryl regularly travelled the length and breadth of the country promoting the society. He willingly gave his time to give talks to the members, and was well respected as a judge. He gave invaluable service on the committee, and was society chairman for a number of years. Vic was awarded both the Silver medal and the Gold medal for his services to the society.
   On a personal note he gave me tremendous support in setting up the Yorkshire & Humberside area, and was a regular attendee at our meetings and shows. He always became involved and thoroughly enjoyed the friendly argument and banter. After such an active life, Vic found it most difficult to come to terms with his situation. He thoroughly enjoyed his visits to the society AGM and the National show at Kings Heath, where he could meet up with all his begonia guys and gals. We all will sadly miss him. Our sincere condolences go to his wife Beryl, (who, due to her own immobility has now had to move into a residential care home,) and his son Nigel and family.