From the South Coast Area Representative.
Dear Members.
  After 32 years at the Southsea Show more recently named the Portsmouth & Southsea Show it is with some regret that we are changing the venue.  After a committee meeting of our members we have decided to put on our own Show which will incorporate a group display and show classes as in previous years.
  Our cost outlay at Southsea in recent years has been approximately £600 for each Show some of which was recouped on the breakdown of our display.  We could also win £75 if we were to be awarded a Large Gold Medal.  However a private company is to be involved with organising the three day show next year with a remit to make a profit.  The upshot of this is that we would have to find another £200 each year for the show tables plus a general 10% increase on other costs.
  The new venue of the Show will be at the Parish Hall in Portchester where we hold our meetings each year.  I feel the new Parish Hall is an ideal size for our Show which will be held on Saturday 6th. & Sunday 7th. August.  Our local membership is enthusiastic about the new challenge and has the full backing of Brian Simmons our remaining founder member and first Area Representative.
Any new members who would like to become involved with either help, during the Show, or as a potential exhibitor please contact me on 023 9279 8144 for further information.

  Obituary    7th. November  2004
 Sadly we have lost another true friend.  Vernon Upfield has passed away, aged 71, after a long battle against cancer.  An active member and exhibitor at  Southsea  for over twenty five years  Vernon became  Show Secretary in 1989 and in spite of increasing health problems continued right up to this year.   Begonias were just one of his many interests which included golf, bowls and gardening.  Until recently he was also a JP.

Autumn Meeting.   Sunday 31st. Oct  2004.
  Dave Coates opened the Meeting by welcoming Graham Milne from New Zealand  and John Taylor, East Anglican Area Representative and Society Membership Secretary.  Following the introductions Dave summarised  the year's activities and in particular our Show at Southsea.  Graham was then invited to present the trophies from our Show.
  The first half of the Meeting continued with a quiz followed by the usual free refreshments and raffle.  Following this John presented slides from his own Area Show and also the bi-annual carpet of flowers (begonias) in the Grande Place at Brussels.

Pictures : Graham presenting trophies to top - Dave and bottom - Bill Squibb.

Portsmouth & Southsea Show.  6th. 7th. &  8th. August   2004.
   In spite of dwindling numbers and increasing costs we managed to stage an excellent group display, albeit with a more modest number of begonias than previous years.  The design was by Mrs Betty Wileman and featured as a centrepiece 3 picture frames made by Bob Burchell.  The display gained a Large Gold Medal.
   Bill Squibb won the "Southsea Shield", our premier award.  Dave Coates was awarded Best Cut-bloom with his own introduction Nichola Coates and I was fortunate to win Best Pot with Fred Martin.
   There were a total of 61 entries from 16 exhibitors.                 Pictures

Spring Meeting.   Sunday 25th. April  2004.
Speaker : Area Representative Dave Coates.
   Just over 30 members attended our Meeting at Portchester on a lovely sunny afternoon.  Dave opened the Meeting with Society news and announcements  He expressed concern that having lost another stalwart (Frank Lindsell) our active numbers were approaching a critical level.  He also praised the new format of our bulletin.
   Unusually this was to be a meeting without any slides, instead, after the announcements Dave donned his marigolds and proceeded with a practical and detailed demonstration on potting on, taking cuttings etc.
   A break for tea and cakes was followed by the usual raffle.  For the second half of the meeting I joined Dave in a Forum to answer questions, this soon developed into a general discussion with many valid points raised.

Report & pictures by the editor.  

  Obituary
 Frank Lindsell, a well known and long serving member has passed away at the age of 84.  Virtually an ever present at the Southsea Show his untiring efforts in spite of failing health earned him respect from us all.  Frank was our Steward many years, during this period he even stayed at the Showground overnight so as to be there to meet and assist arriving exhibitors.