2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Bingham Garden Club.
It was founded in 1995 by the late Dennis Whittaker who formed a small committee around him at The Crown Inn, Bingham. It was agreed that Club meetings would be held on the second Tuesday of each month and the first Winter season of talks began in October 1995 in the Methodist Hall. In 2006 we moved to our present venue in the WI Hall.
In the Summer months the Club organised garden visits locally with coach visits further afield, and other outdoor events for members and friends; setting a pattern for the next 30 years.
The 2020 Covid pandemic interrupted our indoor schedules for over a year but a few outdoor gatherings and illustrated on-line messages helped to fill the gap.
Over the years the club participated in village events, particularly having a very successful plant stall at the Town Summer Fair and offering to the Church Christmas tree festivals a large tree trimmed with natural decorations from the garden and hedgerow.
Winter season talks and demonstrations have always been given by well qualified speakers. In 2013 Bingham Garden Club took a new initiative when for several years, 7 top TV and radio celebrity gardeners gave illustrated lectures at special “Celebrity Evenings” held at the larger premises of Grange Hall in Radcliffe on Trent. They were each a resounding success. Other local garden clubs joined us to organise and present the events.
To mark the 30th Anniversary of the club, the annual Summer garden party held on 6 August 2025 was described as our “Pearl Anniversary”. All members were asked to wear something “pearly”. They all did! Well over 30 members attended, the weather was sunny and the celebration was as bright as the weather. A celebration cake, a decorated garden, good food, drinks, a Limerick competition and a garden treasure hunt added to the spirit of the occasion.
The Club still meets at 7.30pm every 2nd Tuesday evening from September to May in the WI Hall, Station Street, Bingham. A summer outdoor programme of visits is also arranged every year.
Bingham Garden Club is still going strong after 30 years!
New members always welcome. Please contact 01949 838782.
Written by Barbara Savage