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The Mesemb Study Group are resurrecting their show again at Banstead Community Centre in south London on Sat 28th September. This MSG Event is very different to a normal show - most of the plants are presented for display and feature a very wide range of Mesembs, beyond the usual Lithops & Conophytums. There will also be a few competitive classes. Plant sales occupy the morning, followed by a busy afternoon with an auction, raffle and finally presentations by Catherine Arthur from Spain & Brian McDonough from Scotland - subjects t.b.a.
In the past, this was a very friendly event with people coming from long distances and staying around all day to talk about our favourite plants. You do not need to be a MSG member to visit or enter - all are equally welcome! Tickets at the door. Ample car parking is available at the hall or by train/bus from Sutton Station. High Street shops are nearby.
Derek Tribble
MSG Chairman
Attachments
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What a great coincidence, I'll be passing by London coming back from a trip abroad that exact weekend! No plants for display from me, but I'll try to get there somehow. Thanks for bringing this back to life again!
This has always been a good event, so I'm pleased it is returning. Well worth a visit and always some excellent plant sales. If travelling by public transport, it's worth remembering that Banstead station is quite a walk away from the Community Centre - at least a mile, probably a little more. It's probably easier to get the train to Sutton and then a bus to Banstead High Street.
Croydon Branch member, growing mainly cacti and Echeverias
For security reasons, the Schedule file has been moved and is now available for download from the MSG web site: https://www.mesemb.org/index.html.
It should be emphasized that you do not need to be a MSG member to visit − everybody is equally welcome! And as usual, entrants bringing plants will be allowed free admission.
The presentations for Banstead have now been announced:
- Derek Tribble, MSG Chair: 'A Brief History of the Mesemb Study Group'.
- Catherine Arthur, Spain: 'Feeling the heat in western Bushmanland'.
(It will cover a selection of Mesembs (inc. Cheiridopsis, Conophytum & Lithops) and their responses/adaptations to the heat.)
- Brian McDonough, Scotland: '"Sheathing” Mesembs'.
Looking forward to seeing you there,
Derek Tribble
Sorry - that is beyond our capabilities. One needs stabilised cameras and expensive equipment to film the show and live presentations. However, we did enjoy such a session this summer as part of the MesembsVirtually series of Zoom meetings, when Jon Schwark and his team shared their San Francisco Succulent & Cactus Society's big summer show and a presentation by Steven Hammer. It can be done! See too late: viewtopic.php?t=175357
Might be useful to some folks looking for the venue on online maps: "Banstead Community Centre" points to a place at the other end of Banstead main road, whereas the event is taking place in "Banstead Community Hall". The rest of address details are correct, Park Road, Banstead, Surrey, SM7 3AJ.
Last edited by MatDz on Sat Sep 28, 2024 11:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks to all involved in staging this event. Some beautiful and interesting plants to see, plus plenty for sale. An enjoyable morning, I couldn't stay for the lectures.
Croydon Branch member, growing mainly cacti and Echeverias
I count the Event as a success in that everyone I spoke with said they enjoyed the day and we recaptured the friendliness of previous MSG Events. The number of plants on display was disappointing though, but there were still many beautifully grown specimens to admire. More people were arriving during the afternoon and we had an audience of about 50 for the presentations.
So sorry, Mat, this address obviously caused you a problem - but it was good to meet you again later. Previous schedules said "Banstead Community Centre" but enclosed a map which made it obvious which hall was intended. We will correct this for future Events of course.
