Branches of the British Cactus and Succulent Society in Greater London

Branch Information
Bromley	Croyden	Eltham
Ilford	Harrow	Havering and District
Kingston-upon-Thames	North London Now amalgamated with Harlow branch to form the new Lea Valley Branch	Sutton
Waltham Forest	History	Zone 15 Mini-Convention

British Cactus and Succulent Society Calendar of Events.

HISTORY

Between 1946 and 1969 there was a London Branch of the National Cactus and Succulent Society which held monthly meetings in the Royal Horticultural Society Hall, Vincent Square in SW1. As the membership distribution shifted to the suburbs and parking in central London became more problematic attendance declined, and the old London branch was closed with new clubs being formed in suburban London. It is noticeable that BCSS membership in central London is again increasing and perhaps something should be restarted. If you are interested in this contact the Havering Branch Secretary Eddy Harris who is also the BCSS Secretary.

CHRONOLOGY

First mentioned, Newsletter No.4 April 15th 1946, Hon. Sec. Mr R.K. Byrd, Southall, Mdx. Inaugural Meeting, June 12th 1946. July 1948 The London Branch was completely reorganised under the Chairmanship of Mr K.H. Wyser. April 1949 Mr H. Jacobson, Curator of the Botanical Gardens Kiel, gave a lecture. April 1950 Hon. Sec. Miss B.F.D. Lane, Woking, Surrey. Meetings: The Royal Horticultural Society Hall, Vincent Square, SW1 at 7.00 pm. 1950 Programme: April 26 Mr R.I. McKay, Organising a Show May 23 Mr G D Rowley, "Jekyll & Hyde Cactus - the Romance of the Prickly Pear" June 10 Annual Excursion to Kew June 21 Mr R.S. Byles, Succulent Portulacaceae July 18 Mr A. Boarder, "Flowering Your Cacti" Sept 20 Mr Winch, Greenhouse Heating Oct 24 Mr D. Brett, Methods of Propagation Nov 22 Dr E. Elkan, Cactus Colour Photographs and Mr H.M.Roan discussed branch activities Dec 4 Brains Trust with G.D.Rowley & R.S. Byles 1951 First Show, 60' x 6' at the R.H.S. June 26th and 27th. Mrs Vera Higgins presided. 1953 March to June, London Branch gave Coronation Gift Parcels of three plants to new members. This year the branch decided to hold its own show, not with the R.H.S. as previously. 1954 September, Miss W.E. Dunn takes over as Secretary from Miss B.I.D. Lane who had held the position for six years. August, Dr R.T. Craig (of Mammillaria Handbook fame) gave a lecture. 1955 R.S. Byles, Radio broadcast on cacti. 1956 Mr K. Pigram, Branch Treasurer, passed away. R.S. Byles, Branch Chairman, awarded NCSS Fellowship. G.D. Rowley awarded NCSS Fellowship. 1961 First Annual Dinner, Shaftesbury Hotel, London, to 1969 monthly meetings.	From left to right: Mr E.Doubleday, Mr R.C.Littelwood, Mr F.H.Lucas, Mr K.Pigram, Mr R.S.Byles, Miss W.E.Dunn, Miss M.Matvieff and Miss V.Phinn

First mentioned, Newsletter No.4 April 15th 1946, Hon. Sec. Mr R.K. Byrd, Southall, Mdx. Inaugural Meeting, June 12th 1946.

July 1948 The London Branch was completely reorganised under the Chairmanship of Mr K.H. Wyser.

April 1949 Mr H. Jacobson, Curator of the Botanical Gardens Kiel, gave a lecture.

April 1950 Hon. Sec. Miss B.F.D. Lane, Woking, Surrey. Meetings: The Royal Horticultural Society Hall, Vincent Square, SW1 at 7.00 pm.

1950 Programme:

April 26 Mr R.I. McKay, Organising a Show
May 23 Mr G D Rowley, "Jekyll & Hyde Cactus - the Romance of the Prickly Pear"
June 10 Annual Excursion to Kew
June 21 Mr R.S. Byles, Succulent Portulacaceae
July 18 Mr A. Boarder, "Flowering Your Cacti"
Sept 20 Mr Winch, Greenhouse Heating
Oct 24 Mr D. Brett, Methods of Propagation
Nov 22 Dr E. Elkan, Cactus Colour Photographs and Mr H.M.Roan discussed branch activities
Dec 4 Brains Trust with G.D.Rowley & R.S. Byles

1951 First Show, 60' x 6' at the R.H.S. June 26th and 27th. Mrs Vera Higgins presided.

1953 March to June, London Branch gave Coronation Gift Parcels of three plants to new members. This year the branch decided to hold its own show, not with the R.H.S. as previously.

1954 September, Miss W.E. Dunn takes over as Secretary from Miss B.I.D. Lane who had held the position for six years. August, Dr R.T. Craig (of Mammillaria Handbook fame) gave a lecture.

1955 R.S. Byles, Radio broadcast on cacti.

1956 Mr K. Pigram, Branch Treasurer, passed away.

R.S. Byles, Branch Chairman, awarded NCSS Fellowship.

G.D. Rowley awarded NCSS Fellowship.

1961 First Annual Dinner, Shaftesbury Hotel, London, to 1969 monthly meetings.

From left to right:
Mr E.Doubleday, Mr R.C.Littelwood, Mr F.H.Lucas, Mr K.Pigram,
Mr R.S.Byles, Miss W.E.Dunn, Miss M.Matvieff and Miss V.Phinn