HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: Members of BVHS enjoyed a rare treat at their November meeting when Mornee Button talked about 'Plants of the British Coastline' illustrated by some superb slides which she had taken herself. She began her talk by saying that plants which grow near the sea have to make some special adaptations in order to survive the adverse conditions which vary from muddy estuaries to loose sand and shingle and cracks in rocks, but in all conditions they are exposed to the salt.

One interesting development is the spread of what would normally be coastal plants to grass verges of some motorways. The seeds are spread on the tyres of vehicles and the salt used on the roads in winter produces the conditions in which they can grow. They have spread up the British Channel as far as the A40 at Andoversford.

Mrs Button was thanked by Mr Peters.

There were four entries for the monthly competition 'A seed head' which Mrs Button judged; Mrs C Northin won first prize with Mr B Hayward second and Mrs Shaw third.

There are still a few tickets available for the cheese and wine party in December when the monthly competition will be 'A photograph - flower/flowers' and Blockley Ladies' Choir will supply the entertainment.