Mini Groups

The Lincolnshire Group of the Hardy Plant Society has contained within it a number of Mini Groups, which cover smaller areas within the county. The Mini Groups are usually informally constituted and provide friendly venues and activities for local members in what can be a very large county. Some of the Mini Groups have over a period of time extended their activities to include the organizing of visits to venues far beyond the county bounderies. The list of Mini Groups is growing all the time, though as yet the whole of the county is not completely covered, and the spread depends very much upon the enthusiasm of members. On the left is a list of some of the Mini Groups who wish to be included, with clickable links to their pages where available.

News for the Mini Group Pages to.-

E. Mail.(News and notice emails.)

For those not familiar with the idea, and those who do not know if they would like to join or form a Mini Group, this small article by Ruth Carroll written at the very beginning of the scheme gives a flavour of what the groups are all about.

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

Ruth Carroll

Propagation has begun. The division is healthy and thriving. Our local “mini-group”, just nine Hardy Planters, met in mid-March on a glorious Spring afternoon..

The Carlton group all came from within a radius of ten to fifteen minutes drive away, but those from further afield are always welcome. We aim to be informal, with the least amount of organization, and with no financial involvement.

The first meeting was in at my home, but in May it will probably be in Legbourne. The telephone is all we need to arrange another gathering.

Gardeners are the easiest of people to get talking, especially about their own gardens. That is exactly how our meeting began. We were soon swapping ideas, asking for help with certain aspects of gardening – the more knowledgeable amongst us helping the less experienced. Two hours later, after much garden talk, laughter, and tea and biscuits, we 'walked' my garden. All left with a small plant.

From these two hours of happy chatter one Hardy Planter who had never been to a meeting at Riseholme decided to come to the March meeting. Someone who was not a member is about to join and one ex-member is considering rejoining the Society.

The forming of our small local group has not detracted from our enthusiasm for the larger Lincolnshire meetings; rather has it increased our interest and support. Now, as we know each other on a local level, we go to meetings and to garden visits as friends.