South Wales  Area / Ardal De Cymru
Formed 2009
Ian Rhys Williams - Area Representative
email ianrhyswilliams@hotmail.com
Tel; 01639 720061

Due to Corona Virus March the 22nd 2020  Area Meeting has been cancelled.

2020

Ardal De Cymru  - South Wales Area

 Annual Welsh Championship Show

Cancelled

2019

The Welsh Championship Show.
Saturday 3^rd & Sunday 4^th August
Judge: Terry Tasker
Please remember, that the Show will be held three weeks earlier again this year,
  Dobbies Garden Centre, Siemens Way, Llansamlet, Swansea. SA7 9FT.
Schedule & Entry form     Results & Pictures
 
South Wales Area Members’ to meet on Thursday 1^st; August at Wyevale at 11:00 A M; to prepare the Show Area.

Times of staging exhibits.
Friday afternoon 2^nd; August, from 2:00 to 5:30. Wyevale closes at 6:00 P M.
Saturday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 AM
Judge: Terry Tasker.
Judging commences at 11: 15 AM.

AREA MEETINGS

2018

Welsh Championship Show.
Saturday 4^th & Sunday 5^th August
 Wyevale Garden Centre, Siemans Way, Enterprise Park, Llansamlet, Swansea. SA7 9FT
Judge: Robert Bryce
SCHEDULE & ENTRY FORM     RESULTS

Schedules for the Show can be seen, downloaded and printed from the N B S web site.
All entries, to be with The Show Secretary, Dorothy M Williams, by 4:00 pm Wednesday 1^st August,
 so that we know how much bench space will be needed when we set up the Show Area on the Friday, prior to the Show.
Set up of Show area.
A reminder. Can I please ask South Wales Area Members’ to be on hand, on
 Thursday morning, 2^nd August at 11:00 am to help set up the Show Arena please.
Exhibitors
 can stage their entries on Friday afternoon 3^rd, August, after 2 pm.
 Also, from 8:30am to 11am on the Saturday, 4^th.August, prior to judging.

AREA MEETINGS
South Wales Area Spring meeting.
Saturday 31^st. March  10.00am
Venue, Wyevale Garden Centre, Llansamlet, Swansea.
10:00 am. In café area.
Any questions prior to meeting, please contact me.      Ian Rhys Williams  Tel: 01639 720061
All welcome. 

The South Wales Yearly Evening meal.
Evening meal, to be held at Rock & Fountain, Public House, Aberdulais,
Saturday night, 4^th August, at 7: 00pm. All exhibitors and N B S very welcome.
Please book your place early to avoid disappointment please, it gets very busy on a Saturday evening.

The National Botanic Garden’s of Wales, SA32 8HN
Once again this year, The National Begonia Society, South Wales Area, will be exhibiting at this World famous prime venue
on Saturday & Sunday 8^th & 9^th September.
Members’ are encouraged to contribute to our N B S display stand. Last year we had a number of people joining our Society.
The National Vegetable Society Championship Show will be held there on the same weekend.
Other Societies present, will be The National Dahlia Society, The National Chrysanthemum Society,
The National Gladioli Society, to name but a few.
National Begonia Society Members’ will enjoy free entry to this prestigious site, providing they contribute to the N B S display stand. Enjoy a few hours meandering through the huge gardens and tropical glasshouses. The Gardens are spectacular.
Further details available from me or Danny Davies.

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.

2017

Welsh Championship Show.
Sunday 27^th & Monday 28^th August
 Wyevale Garden Centre, Siemans Way, Enterprise Park, Llansamlet, Swansea. SA7 9FT
Judge: Terry Tasker
Staging on Saturday evening from 3: P M; until close of store at 6: PM.
Then on Sunday morning from 9: AM; until 10: 45 A M; before judging commences at 11: AM.
 All show entries to Dorothy M Williams, in before Thursday, 6: PM prior to the show,
 so that bench space can be allocated for each entry please.
Results

AREA MEETINGS

Sunday 2^nd. April  1.30 - 5.30pm.  Joint Meeting with South West Area.
-  John  Hamilton, one of the best growers in modern times in the UK.
Sale of plants. John and John Chiswell will be selling much sought after verities at the talk.
Meeting in conjunction with the South West Area
Lysaght Institute, Orb Drive, Newport, Gwent NP19 0RB
A few minutes off junction 24 of the M4, less than 10 minutes from the Severn Bridge and an hour from the Midlands.

Those who wish to have Sunday Dinner prior to the talk, please meet at
 The Blaina Wharf Public House, NP20 2FN at 11:30/ 11:45 A M.
 Excellent food at a very reasonable price.
Due to the popularity of the pub; no prior bookings can be made, thus please arrive in good time.
The Blaina Wharf is situated on the left - Newport side of the arched white bridge by the set of traffic lights.
Please let John Chiswell, Gary Dando or me know if you intend having food.
                                                                                                                                        Ian Rhys Williams

Sunday 7th. May 1.30pm
Meeting & plant sale
Wyevale Garden Centre, Enterprise Park, Llansamlet, Swansea SA7 9FT.

Sunday, 1^st. October  2.15pm
Area meeting and talk
Glynneath Social Club, High Street, Glynneath, SA11 5AW
 Speaker to be arranged.   All warmly welcomed.

2016

Welsh Championship Show.
August Bank Holiday, Sunday 28^th & Monday 29^th August
 Wyevale Garden Centre, Siemans Way, Enterprise Park, Llansamlet, Swansea. SA7 9FT.
 Judges: Dave Coates and Terry Tasker.
Schedule & Entry Form     Results     Pictures
Entry forms and schedules can be found on the N B S; web page. Look at South Wales Area.
 Further details from Dorothy M Williams, Show Secretary, tel; 01639 720061. Web dorothymwilliams@hotmail.com.
If you have any begonias left why not bring them along to the last N B S; Show of the year.
 You will be warmly welcomed. Or just pay us a visit to see our Show.

AREA MEETINGS

South Wales Area A G M
Sunday, 27^th March.
New Venue
Glynneath Social club, High Street, Glynneath,   SA11 5AW  at 2:15, PM
Easy to find on the main road.
Question and answer session on begonia culture followed by a projector display on begonias.
Everyone welcome.

Saturday June 11^th; at 10   A M.
 Wyevale Garden Centre,
There will be Amblyseius Cucumeris bags available for the prevention of Mite.
Everyone  warmly welcome.

Sunday 3rd. April - Samuel Kennedy,  Scottish Begonia Society
Joint Meeting with the South West Area
Grove Sports Centre, St Marys Grove, Nailsea, North Somerset, BS48 2NQ. Just off junctions 19 or 20, M.5
.

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.

2015

South Wales Area, Welsh Championship Show.
 August Bank Holiday, Sunday 30^th. & Monday 31^st. August
 Wyevale Garden Centre, Siemans Way, Enterprise Park, Llansamlet, Swansea. SA7 9FT.
 Judges: Barry Walker and Terry Tasker.
SCHEDULE & ENTRY FORM     PICTURES
Exhibitors' and visitors', warmly welcome.
Contact Show Secretary, Dorothy M Williams, 01639 720061, email dorothy _m_williams@hotmail.com

MEETINGS

Joint meeting in conjunction with South West Area
Sunday 29th March at 2.30 p.m.
Both areas are delighted to welcome Ian Donaldson, Scottish Bloom Champion.
Further details will be advised. Also, plant and tuber sale of named varieties.
Venue: Grove Sports Centre, St Marys Grove, Nailsea, North Somerset, BS48 2NQ.
Just off junctions 19 or 20, M.5.

Spring Meeting.
We will be holding our next meeting in the Briton Ferry Community Hall, on Sunday, 26^th April, at 2:00 PM.
 After a short A G M, Chris and Sandra Davies will be giving a talk on Pot Plant Growing.
 The title of the talk is Our Way. As always, everyone is warmly welcomed.

  4^th. September

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.

2014

WELSH CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
August Bank Holiday,  Sunday 24^th. and Monday 25^th August
Wyevale Swansea Garden Centre
Siemans Way, Enterprise Park, Llansamlet, Swansea  SA79FT
Judge: Barry Walker

SCHEDULE & ENTRY FORM     RESULTS     PICTURES

Display at the National Botanic Garden of Wales

A G M.
Sunday 27^th. April  2.15 PM.
Followed by a PLANT SALE and digital show of Begonia border displays.   Venue as below.

SUMMER MEETING.
Sunday, 6^th. July, at Briton Ferry Community Centre at 2:15 PM.
Located by the traffic lights at the cross roads.

2013

WELSH CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
August Bank Holiday,  Sunday and Monday, 25^th. and 26^th August
Judges Robert Bryce & Barry Walker
Exhibitors and visitors warmly welcomed, you will not be disappointed.
SCHEDULE          RESULTS          PICTURES
Pictures of last year's Show
Wyevale Swansea Garden Centre
Siemans Way, Enterprise Park, Llansamlet, Swansea  SA79FT
Further details and schedules available from Dorothy M Williams, Show Secretary
tel; [01639] 720061

MEETINGS
Sunday 28^th. April  2.15pm
Area Meeting & Plant Sale.  Guest Speaker John Chiswell
Briton Ferry Community Centre, Briton Ferry, Neath
Located by the traffic lights at the cross roads.

Sunday 4^th. August,  2pm
Area Meeting  Preparing your plants, flower exhibits for the Show.
 Briton Ferry Community Centre, Briton Ferry
A very warm welcome to all.

Sunday 3^rd. November, 2pm
South Wales Area A G M.
Briton Ferry, Community Hall, Briton Ferry, Neath, next to traffic lights
  Agenda. 1. Apologies of absence
2. Minutes of 2012 A G M.
3. Matters arising.
 4. Chairman's/ South Wales Area Representative's report.
 5. South Wales Area Treasurer's report.
 6. Election of South Wales Area Officers' and Committee.
 7. Discussion of events during the last year.
 8. A O B.
 Activities- D V D; of Shows around the country. Tea, Coffee and refreshments.

 Further details please contact Area Secretary, Sandra Davies. Tel; 01639 812891.

2012

WELSH CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
August Bank Holiday,  Sunday and Monday, 26^th. and 27^th August
Judge Dave Coates
Exhibitors and visitors warmly welcomed
SCHEDULE     RESULTS     PICTURES

Wyevale Swansea Garden Centre
Siemans Way, Enterprise Park, Llansamlet, Swansea  SA79FT
Further details and schedules available from Dorothy M Williams, Show Secretary
tel; [01639] 720061

MEETING
CHANGE OF DATE
Sunday 22^nd. April 2pm
Questions & Answers Session  followed by a Plant Sale.
Briton Ferry Community Hall, Briton Ferry, Neath
New members welcomed.

Sunday 8^th. July  2pm
Talk and plant sale. Topic area for discussion: How to prepare your exhibits for the Show.
Venue as above.

2011

WELSH CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
August Bank Holiday,  Sunday and Monday, 28^th. and 29^th August
Exhibitors’ and visitors’ warmly welcomed.
Judges Dave Coates, assisted by Terry Tasker trainee Judge.
at
Wyevale Swansea Garden Centre
Siemans Way, Enterprise Park, Llansamlet, Swansea  SA79FT
Further details and schedules available from Dorothy M Williams, Show Secretary
, tel; [01639] 720061

SCHEDULE         RESULTS          PICTURES
 

MEETINGS & TALKS
Sunday 17^th. April 2:15pm
Talk and Plant Sale.
Briton Ferry Community Hall, Briton Ferry, Neath
Guest Speaker Dave Coates.
Dave's talk will be focused on Pot Plant Growing.
Dave is one of the best growers' in the National Begonia Society. If you want to improve your knowledge on the growing of Pot Plants, you should not miss Dave's talk.

Wednesday 28^th. September 7.30pm
Talk
Llanstephan Garden Society

Tuesday 25^th. October 7.30pm
West Wales Pot Plant Society
Please would all members support Lorraine's talk and Open Day

OPEN DAYS
Sunday 19 June 2011    10.00 am to 5.00pm
Lorraine and Peter Rudd, Open Day under NGS
Harpist playing in the garden from 2.00 PM all proceeds go to NGS including plant sales, teas and raffle.
 Garden featured in A Little Piece of Paradise 2010. This is my 5th (and possibly my last) year - I will still open for the NGS but will probably go for private visits for clubs from next year.

Tuesday 16^th. August    2.00pm
Chris and Sandra Davies Open Day to view their glasshouses
At their home. 59, Hunter Street, Briton Ferry, Llansamlet, Neath, SA11 2RS.
 Chris and Sandra will give a talk and practical demonstration on how to dress Pot plants ready for exhibition.
For further details Tel, 01639 812891.

SOUTH WALES AREA VISIT
Tuesday 9^th. August
A visit to Terry and Helen Carr’s home in Telford Shropshire
 to view Terry’s glasshouses, containing his exhibits, prior to the Shrewsbury Flower Show.
 Please contact me for further information about visit arrangements.

South Wales Area A G M.
Sunday 6^th. November; 2011   2.00pm
Briton Ferry Community Hall, Briton Ferry
Followed by a talk on Growing and dressing Pot Plants   Speaker Chris Davies.
Everyone welcome

For further details and directions please contact
South Wales Area Rep; Ian Rhys Williams. Tel; 01639 720061
 

AREA NEWS 2011
Nailsea visit, Mother’s Day, Sunday, 3^rd. April..
   Eight South Wales Area Members travelled once again to visit our South West Area friends at Nailsea, to listen to Robert Bryce’s talk.
Our day began with Sunday dinner prior to Bob’s talk at the Grove Sport’s Centre, a short distance away.
Bob was accompanied by Joyce and Robert.
There was once again a good attendance of Members’ who had travelled long distances to listen to Bob’s delivery.
   There was quiet attention given to Bob, as he spoke on his methodology as the audience soaked-up the meticulously delivered script. His detailed growing procedures were exact and gave the necessary information needed to grow begonias to their optimum potential. No secrets were withheld from how Bob grows his begonias. Everything that Bob did in his growing was shared by all.
An extremely enjoyable and informative few hours was had by all who attended.
South Wales Area talk, Sunday, 17^th. April.
   Prior to our talk we gathered at the Ferryman Inn, where we enjoyed a fabulous Sunday dinner, prior to our yearly talk.
Once again, the hall was packed at the Briton Ferry Community Hall. Our Guest speaker was Dave Coates, who was accompanied by Pauline.
Dave gave a very enjoyable talk which was packed with information on how he grew his plants. Dave uses Scotts Levington M3 mixed with Perlite. He does not use soil based compost. He keeps his growing simple. Dave does not adhere to any complex feeding regime. He top dresses to give added feed between potting on. He uses a balanced feed of Phostrogen if the plant needs a supplementary feed. He does feed Chempak 4, when he has selected his buds.

2010

SOUTH WALES OPEN BEGONIA SHOW
Sunday 29^th. & Monday 30^th. August
Judges: Alan Harris & Andrew MacDougall
Wyevale Swansea Garden Centre
Siemans Way, Enterprise Park, Llansamlet, Swansea  SA79FT
Staging of entries can commence on Saturday afternoon 4 - 6PM and on Sunday morning at 9 to 11AM.
 For schedule and further details of Show and directions
please contact Dorothy Williams, 01639 720061
                         Dyffryn-Yr-Eos, Brynhyfryd, Glynneath, Neath. SA11 5BA.
SCHEDULE     RESULTS     REPORT & PICTURES

MEETINGS
Sunday 18th, April,  Talk and plant sale.
Briton Ferry Community Centre, Briton Ferry, Neath, at 2:15 PM. Guest Speaker, John Chiswell, 2006, winner of the Blue Ribbon and Twelve Board, National Championship . John will give a talk and digital photo presentation, on his methods of growing, with a practical demonstration of taking cuttings. All welcome. For directions to the venue and further details, Tel;
Ian Rhys Williams, 01639 720061.

Tuesday, 27th, April,  Talk and plant sale.
Dunvant Workingman’s Club, Dunvant, Swansea, at 7:30 PM. Speaker, Ian Rhys Williams. Topic area- Begonia cultivation, an alternative way to good growing. A practical demonstration will also be given, with a digital photo show, followed by a question and answer session. All are welcome. Further information can be obtained from the above contacts.

Sunday 20^th. June,
At the home of Lorraine Rudd in conjunction with the National Garden Scheme, Open day, at 2:15 PM.
 Lorraine's garden is open to the public from 10 AM; to 4:30 PM. Entry fee is donated to charity. All are welcome to the meeting. The Area Show will be discussed. Plant supports, bloom tubes and Polo shirts will be on sale.
For further details contact Ian Rhys Williams, 01639 720061.
Lorraine's address is Brynheulog, 45, Heol y Graig, Cwmgwrach, Glynneath, Neath. SA11 5TW.Why not make a day of it and admire the beautiful gardens prior to the meeting.

NEW
Sunday 21^st. November.  AGM
The Annual General Meeting to be held at Briton Ferry Community Hall, Briton Ferry, Neath, 2:15; P M.
After a short A G M; a digital photo show will be presented of the 2010 Shows, followed by a question and answer session, particularly useful for the newer members'. All welcome.
South Wales Area Rep; Ian Rhys Williams. Tel; 01639 720061

2009

SOUTH WALES AREA SHOW
Sunday 30^th.  & Monday 31^st. August
Judge: Dave Staines
CHANGE OF VENUE
Wyevale Swansea Garden Centre
Llansamlet, Swansea  SA79FT
Details from Cliff Parker
43 Byrd Crescent, Vale of Glamorgan, Penarth  CF64 3QU 
Tel: 02920 702121
 RESULTS     PICTURES

MEETINGS
Saturday 7^th. March  2.30pm.
To be held at the home of our Chairperson Ian Rhys Williams and his wife Dorothy @ Glynneath
(Any body requiring directions to their home please contact me).

We will be holding a meeting at the home of our new member Lorraine Rudd
Sunday 12^th.  July 3pm
Brynheulog
45 Heol y Graig Cwmgwrach
 NEATH.    SA11 5TW
The gardens will be open this day as part of the Yellow Book Open Gardens Scheme.
Bring the family along and enjoy the beautiful gardens (as seen on BBC Open Gardens)