AT the November meeting, the speaker was Ralph Richardson, from Redditch, who gave a talk with slides on the natural history of South West Ireland.

He started by admitting he was not a gardener and was wary of naming many plants because members might criticise.

He was very interesting on the history of the places he had visited. Stone circles featured, as did the amazing beehive shaped houses still standing after a thousand years or more.

His beautiful shots of Cork, Kerry and Clare made his audience want to rearrange their holiday plans.

The club had an outing for a Christmas treat in December to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for the illuminations.

On a cold but clear night, members walked around the atmospheric beauty of the illuminated trees and plants and listened to the choir singing Christmas music while drinking mulled wine and eating hot chestnuts and baked potatoes.

The new year holds a full programme of visits and talks starting on Thursday, February 5, with a talk by the entertaining expert from Radio Hereford and Worcester, Reg Moule, who will be talking about Making your Garden More Productive for Vegetables.

All members, old and new, can renew their membership then at the Jubilee Court Centre. Guests are welcome at £2 a head.

Call the secretary, Hilary Morgan, on 01789 765105 if you need directions or any other details.