THE speaker in August was Brian White talking about scented pelargoniums. He was born in a mining village near Tamworth and left school at 14 to go down the mine.

After a while he got a job as a salesman for an agricultural company, during which time he took an Open University course in theology, then studied for a further year to become Reverend White.

He joined his father in his nursery and when a group of blind people visited he realised how much they appreciated the texture and scent of plants.

From then on he concentrated on scented pelargoniums and now has the largest collection in Europe. He and his wife attend shows and clubs throughout the year and sell by mail order. Apart from single plants they sell various sized pots and baskets filled with plants, which are all scented. He also introduces three or four new plants every year, which he has raised himself.

There were plants from his nursery for sale at the end of the meeting. It was a very informative talk interspersed with some hilarious jokes and anecdotes, all in all a very enjoyable evening when members learnt a lot and had a good laugh into the bargain.

The Speaker in September will be Tim Goodwin who will talk about shrubs and winter planting. Meetings are held at the Village Hall, Alcester Road, Wythall on the first Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm. Visitors always welcome.