Claygate Gardening Society
Our membership costs £7 per annum, which (on presentation of your membership card or agreed code) entitles members to local discounts, including at major garden dentres and nursaries for plant or garden goods and we have trade prices at plant suppliers (Evergreen at Banstead and Provender at Swanley, Kent).
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Membership gives an opportunity to win tickets to Hampton Court Flower Show and periodically we extend this to Chelsea and membership of Kew.
Find out more about our history and what you can enjoy as a member of the CGS below.
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We have almost 500 members at present and we'd love for you to join us. Joining is easy and offers amazing perks.
How it started
From May to September, we offer garden outings. These garden trips are extremely popular with our membership. In past years, we visited gardens and sites outside the UK as well as nearer home such as Borde Hill Gardens, Stowe House, and Thenford Arboretum (Sir Michael Heseltine’s Garden), Leonardslee, Chelsea Physic Garden and Petworth House.
Every year in August CGS joins with the Claygate Allotment Holders Association (CAHA) for a celebratory barbeque attracting around one hundred participants.
Helping your garden
Today, we have a member-only depot at the Vale Road Allotments, where you can buy all composts, many fertilizers, and most things needed for your garden or allotment at very reasonable prices. This has run for many years and is a valuable resource for our members.
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We now open on a Saturday mornings from March to September between 11- 12am (longer in the busy season).
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Despite competition from garden centres with their special offers, our society continues to flourish and meet to exchange seeds and plants at the depot, where card payments are now the norm. ​
Growing together
Since 1998, we have been organising amazing talks and lectures which have proven increasingly popular. We now hold several planned talks a year between January to April, with a final one in October.
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Talks are on every 3rd Thursday of the month at 7.45pm in Claygate Village Hall. Tea and biscuits are served too! There is generally a raffle of lovely prizes as well.
Getting together
From May to September, we offer garden outings. These garden trips are extremely popular with our membership. In past years, we visited gardens and sites outside the UK as well as nearer home such as Borde Hill Gardens, Stowe House, and Thenford Arboretum (Sir Michael Heseltine’s Garden), Leonardslee, Chelsea Physic Garden and Petworth House.
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CGS Membership allows entry into Division D in the Claygate Flower and Village Show, and we also hold our own mini Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Show in September.
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Meet the team
Our AGM, which is followed by cheese and wine, is normally in November.
We are extremely grateful to our committee, that meets twice a year, and hopefully new committee members will come forward to ensure the future of CGS. From time to time positions become available on the committee and we'd love to hear from members who want to help out. See our news for more info.
The society represents a valuable management opportunity A previous September mini Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Show Trip to Leonardslee Garden, West Sussex The Depot at Vale Road Allotments for anyone, perhaps newly retired with a love of gardening, who wants to contribute to a thriving local community activity.