The group meet at Otley Methodist Church at 7.30pm on the 2nd Tuesday of every month between September and May.
There is a program with expert guest speakers to inspire and inform, an annual plant auction and a Christmas party (see events section).
We have over two hundred members, with over one hundred attending each meeting. Membership is £14 for the year, guest membership is £3 for one evening.
Affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society, the group was formed in January 1947 for the purpose of promoting and extending interest in gardening
Over the summer the group runs coach trips to gardens:
Tuesday 22nd May, leaving Otley at 6.00pm, to visit Warley House Garden, near Halifax (£13).
This 2½ acre partly walled garden has Japanese style planting leading to lawns with lovely south facing views; an alpine ravine with ferns and fine trees; and drifts of shrubs and herbaceous plantings, wild flowers and heathers that maintain constant seasonal interest. When we have finished in the garden, the nearby Maypole pub will serve us tea, coffee and biscuits (included).
Sunday 24th June, leaving Otley at 9.00 am, visiting Holmes Villa (near Gainsborough) and Norwell Nurseries and open gardens, near Newark (£20).
Holmes Villa (featured in Lincolnshire today) is a 1¾ acre plantsman’s inspirational garden with surprises around every corner, including gazebos, arbours, ponds, a hosta garden and unusual perennials and shrubs for flower arranging. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided, and if the weather is fine we may eat our packed lunches there.
Andrew Ward, the owner of Norwell Nurseries , will be talking to us at our April meeting, so we will already have some idea of what to expect. The NGS book describes the nurseries as ‘a jewel of over 2,500 different, beautiful and unusual plants sumptuously set out in a one acre plantsman’s garden , including shady garden with orchids, woodland gems, cottage garden borders, alpine and scree areas’. The nurseries have featured in ‘Best Gardens to Visit’ and ‘Country Living’.
Our visit intentionally coincides with Norwell NGS open gardens day (which Andrew and his wife Helen organise), so we will also be able to see a range of different and very appealing gardens, all making superb use of the beautiful backdrop of a quintessentially English village, and within easy walking distance from the nursery. The village hall will be open for refreshments (not included)
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Tuesday 3rd July, leaving Otley at 1.30pm, to The Grange, Carleton in Craven, near Skipton (£14).
Over four acres restored over two decades with many areas of interest including bountiful herbaceous borders with many unusual species, rose walk, parterre, mini-meadows, water features, greenhouse, raised vegetable beds and mature trees with panoramic views. Afternoon tea is included.
Booking forms will be available at the January Meeting.
