Meetings

Let’s get together

It is no surprise that our meetings are so well attended. Not only are they interesting and informative, they are also enjoyable social gatherings.

As always, our Programme Committee has worked hard to invite speakers with very different skills, knowledge and experience and you will see below that their subject matter is not always gardening related.

So, if you are thinking of joining us, come along to a meeting and you will be made very welcome – for non-members there is a £2.00 entry fee.

All meetings are in the WI Hall, North Street, Bridport and start at 7.30 pm.

Contact details for officers of the Bridport & District Gardening Club are available in the Newsletter.


A Talk about Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens – Past, Present and Future - Thursday, 20 February 2025 7:00pm for 7:30pm


W.I. Hall, North Street, Bridport Speaker David Pearce, Curator & Garden Manager, Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens This talk explores the history, design, purpose and philosophy of a garden that has been 262 years in the making. David Pearce will talk about plants of historical interest and the garden’s influence on Victorian trends.  He will also discuss some take-home gardening trends for every type of garden.

Annual General Meeting - Thursday, 20 March 2025 7:00pm for 7:30pm


W.I. Hall, North Street, Bridport

The Story So Far of The Gardens Group - Thursday, 17 April 2025 7:00pm for 7:30pm


W.I. Hall, North Street, Bridport Speaker Mike Burke, The Gardens Group

Mike takes a look at what has changed over the years in Castle Gardens, Brinsmore Gardens and Poundbury Gardens – both within the Garden Centres and in the gardening world.


A Lifetime of Gardening - Thursday, 15 May 2025 7:00pm for 7:30pm


W.I. Hall, North Street, Bridport Speaker Anne Swithinbank

Anne Swithinbank

Anne Swithinbank grew up in North Kent on the outskirts of London and from a young age was fascinated by plants and nature in general. Having trained at Kew, and worked in parks department nurseries and as Glasshouse Supervisor at RHS Wisley, she has been a freelance horticulturist since 1986.

The early days were a mixture of small landscaping projects, garden maintenance, writing and presenting alongside Geoff Hamilton on Gardeners’ World. Other TV highlights were two series of ‘Bloom’ for Channel 4 and ‘Gardens of The Caribbean’.

Anne has been a regular panelist on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time for 27 years and began writing for Amateur Gardening at the same time as moving from a dry, sandy soil in Surrey to clay with flints in East Devon 23 years ago. A large plot full of wildlife habitats, edible and ornamental plants is Anne’s workshop and inspiration.

Anne Swithinbank

Doors open around 7pm and the talk will start at 7:30pm.
Members’ entry is Free, Non-Members are welcome at a charge of £2.00.
Seating is limited to 80 seats on a first come basis.
We hope you will join us for an entertaining and informative evening.


A Talk about the Cultivation of Cactus - Thursday, 19 June 2025 7:00pm for 7:30pm


W.I. Hall, North Street, Bridport Speaker David Ennals, Coach House Cacti

Coach House Cacti is a small nursery run by David Ennals in the village of Toller Porcorum in Dorset. They grow a variety of cacti and succulents, exhibit them, give talks and show them off in competitions.
It is Dorset’s only cactus nursery, offering easy to grow plants.
David is a professional gardener, and has been growing cacti since childhood. Plants are sold to visitors, and at various shows and plant sales. The nursery is gaining quite a reputation in the South West.