The club originated in April 1974 after a group of likeminded people met in The Elm Tree pub. The Memorial Hall became the favoured venue for meetings until its temporary closure in 1996 forced a move to the Legion, then to its current venue, the Church Hall.
In October 1974 a challenge shield was purchased for the overall winner of the hotly contested monthly competitions. September 1976 saw the first of the annual shows with numerous categories, and cups donated by members and their families.
A varied speaker programme was held each year on both gardening and wildlife subjects. The members also embarked on regular outings to places far and wide.
A thriving membership together with many hard working committee members over the years meant that equipment and books could be bought, shared, and hired out. Bulk purchases of seeds, fertiliser, plants, and compost also benefitted the members.
Initially 13 members, the first AGM in 1974 recorded there were 60 members. By 1980 membership peaked at 105. However, ageing members and a changing lifestyle saw members fall to 69 by 1988, 48 by 1999, and down to 28 by 2013. 2001 saw the consequential demise of the monthly competitions and the annual show ceased in 2013. Subscriptions, which started at 50p doubled to £1 in 1981, then crept up slowly - £3 in 1999, £7 by 2009, £10 by 2012, to the current level of £15 in 2015.
The increasing cost of speakers and the hall, together with far fewer members meant that by 2013 the club was struggling and in danger of folding. However, a concerted effort was made by the committee and members to increase the membership. The name was changed to Chiseldon Gardening And Countryside Club to reflect the diversity of talks, and the annual plant sale revived to boost finances.
Today’s club is somewhat different from that formed 44 years ago. Gone are the monthly competitions and the annual show. We now foster co-operation, sharing our knowledge, and gardening for pleasure. After a few years of uncertainty, the club is starting to thrive again after the hard work of the committee and loyal support from the members.
The annual programme encompasses a broad range of gardening and countryside topics and activities. After the talks we enjoy tea, coffee, and cake whilst happily conversing about gardening failures and successes and life in general.
We warmly welcome new members and visitors. Hopefully, the club will now continue to attract members and survive for another 44 years.
In October 1974 a challenge shield was purchased for the overall winner of the hotly contested monthly competitions. September 1976 saw the first of the annual shows with numerous categories, and cups donated by members and their families.
A varied speaker programme was held each year on both gardening and wildlife subjects. The members also embarked on regular outings to places far and wide.
A thriving membership together with many hard working committee members over the years meant that equipment and books could be bought, shared, and hired out. Bulk purchases of seeds, fertiliser, plants, and compost also benefitted the members.
Initially 13 members, the first AGM in 1974 recorded there were 60 members. By 1980 membership peaked at 105. However, ageing members and a changing lifestyle saw members fall to 69 by 1988, 48 by 1999, and down to 28 by 2013. 2001 saw the consequential demise of the monthly competitions and the annual show ceased in 2013. Subscriptions, which started at 50p doubled to £1 in 1981, then crept up slowly - £3 in 1999, £7 by 2009, £10 by 2012, to the current level of £15 in 2015.
The increasing cost of speakers and the hall, together with far fewer members meant that by 2013 the club was struggling and in danger of folding. However, a concerted effort was made by the committee and members to increase the membership. The name was changed to Chiseldon Gardening And Countryside Club to reflect the diversity of talks, and the annual plant sale revived to boost finances.
Today’s club is somewhat different from that formed 44 years ago. Gone are the monthly competitions and the annual show. We now foster co-operation, sharing our knowledge, and gardening for pleasure. After a few years of uncertainty, the club is starting to thrive again after the hard work of the committee and loyal support from the members.
The annual programme encompasses a broad range of gardening and countryside topics and activities. After the talks we enjoy tea, coffee, and cake whilst happily conversing about gardening failures and successes and life in general.
We warmly welcome new members and visitors. Hopefully, the club will now continue to attract members and survive for another 44 years.
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