MEMBERSHIP

Information on the Society 

The Society has been in existence for many years and its aim is “to promote the good cultivation of gardens and allotments” within Maldon and Heybridge.  We are not a specialist society, but cater for a broad range of interests, including those who have allotments, flower gardens, indoor gardens or who merely have an interest in gardening.  The Society is highly regarded by its members, currently numbering approximately 220, who enjoy the many benefits it has to offer and which are constantly under review and being added to so that our aim may be furthered.  The Society offers you: -

INFORMATION In the form of a monthly newsletter giving details of the Society’s activities, news of special offers, outings, items for sale, tips for the month and articles of interest.

MEETINGS Monthly meetings are held throughout most of the year with talks, demonstrations, films, quizzes, and informal discussions related to the various aspects of gardening.

OUTINGS Coach trips are arranged to visit notable gardens and other places of horticultural interest.

SHOWS AND COMPETITION  Various competitions are organised each year, sometimes in conjunction with other like minded clubs, with the aim of gaining public interest and generally improving standards.  These include major shows for exhibiting fruit, flowers, vegetables, cookery and handicrafts.  ‘Mini-competitions’ are held at members’ meetings and competitions for the Best Kept Front Garden, Best Kept Allotment, Tallest Sunflower etc. are run yearly.  In recent years we have taken part in the Chelsea Flower Show and Somerset Amateur Gardening Show.

HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS  Members have the opportunity to buy their horticultural requirements through the Society at generous discounts.  These include seeds, seed potatoes, onion sets, bulbs, peat, compost, fertilizers and gardening sundries most of which are delivered to your door, providing you live within the boundaries of Maldon and Heybridge.  At our meetings we have a Seed Swap service by where you can bring along your excess, home collected or unwanted seeds and swap them for others.  If you have none to swap a small donation to the Society would be welcomed instead.  Membership also entitles you to obtain discount at certain local nurseries and garden centres, but you should check with the store BEFORE making your purchase.

VIDEO LIBRARY The videos can be borrowed for one month for £2.

ALLOTMENTS  The Society monitors the interests of allotment tenants and offers them practical help and advice with their gardening.  The Society attends Town Council allotments meetings to advise and help bring about improvements where possible. 

AFFILIATED ORGANISATIONS  We are affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)and the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG).  This brings benefits including advice on specialist subjects and free entry to Wisley gardens when our coach outing goes there.  Magazines from these organisations are held and may be borrowed.  

THE FRIARY WALLED GARDEN (Situated behind Iceland next to the Library) The Society cares for the Secret Garden of Maldon which can be viewed on the first Sunday each Month.  It can also be opened for private groups through the Society.  The Garden includes several distinctive styles including that of the Edwardian era, raised bed vegetable cultivation, various fruit trees, old roses, and memorial gardens.

INSURANCE  The Society is insured with the NSALG, which provides cover for members                  participating in any horticultural activity on behalf of the Society.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE SOCIETY?  There are no restrictions upon membership, which is open to anyone interested in gardening.

WHAT ARE THE RULES OF THE SOCIETY?  These are based on the model rules recommended by the RHS and are designed to ensure the efficient running of the Society for the benefit of its members.  There are few restrictions upon members themselves.  A copy of the rules is available on request.

DOES MEMBERSHIP INCUR ANY OBLIGATIONS?  No obligations are placed on members other than observance of the rules.  You will be kept informed about the Society’s activities through our newsletter and whether you take part in any of them is for you to decide.  Many of our members take no part in our activities but nevertheless enjoy being part of the Society.

HOW IS THE SOCIETY MANAGED?  A committee comprising of a Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and others, all of who are elected annually from the ordinary members manages the Society.  Various aspects are delegated to either sub-committees or to individual officers as appropriate.  All members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting, which is held each October, and have an equal vote in electing members to the committee for the forthcoming year.  Members may also attend the monthly meetings of the committee, to observe the proceedings.

HOW IS THE SOCIETY FINANCED?  Income is derived from various sources such as membership fees, fund raising events and horticultural trading.  The Society is non-profit making and the income is used for running expenses and to finance the benefits of members.  No member of the Society receives any salary.  An audited balance sheet of income and expenditure is prepared each year by the Treasurer and each member receives a copy of this.

WHAT IS THE COST OF MEMBERSHIP?  Annual subscription fees are £6 for an adult and £1 for each additional household member.  Fees for senior citizens are at reduced rates, £3 and £1 respectively.  An additional once only joining fee of £1 (plus 50p for each additional member from the same household) is imposed on joining or if your membership has lapsed by a period of more than three months.  New members may enroll at any time during the Society’s year, which runs from 1^st November to 31^st October.  For any new members enrolling in August, September or October, the fee will also cover the next Society year.

We hope you will join and enjoy the benefits of this Society as so many have done in the past. 

For further information please contact the Membership Secretary Mrs. Shirley Thorp on 01621 859008 or Secretary Mrs. Liz Dunkin 01621 854371 lizdunkin@tiscali.co.uk