The object of the Orchid Society of Great Britain is the furtherance of the knowledge, and conservation, of the natural habitat of orchidaceous plants by encouraging the cultivation of these plants. Gathering and disseminating particulars of their cultivation, holding meetings and shows, and in other ways, and in general to undertake any activities that shall be consistent with the purpose for which the Society is constituted. – Rules of the Society.

We hold monthly meetings for those members who are able to come to London on a Saturday afternoon. Each meeting is different. There is usually an experienced speaker who may talk about travel, cultivation or any other subject related to orchids. Members bring their plants to display at the monthly table show which offers a chance to see a wide variety of orchids in flower. The plants are judged and awarded and there is a short discussion about their history, cultivation and merits.

At each meeting we hold a raffle, offering an opportunity to acquire new orchids as many growers donate their surplus young plants as raffle prizes. Plants are frequently brought along for sale at very reasonable prices by members and speakers. Tea and coffee are available and members have a chance to chat with the each other and the guest speaker and ask the questions that have been bothering them for ages. ‘Why won’t my Phalaenopsis flower?’ is the most common; no question is too silly to ask.

Each year we hold an auction of orchids at our January meeting. These are good plants belonging to members who have usually decided that they no longer have space for all their collection and wish to sell a few. The auctions are fun and there are some great bargains to be had. At our December meeting members are invited to enjoy a Christmas lunch followed by our photographic and art competition.

The Society has an extensive library. Members can borrow books at our monthly meetings and return them the following month. The librarian brings a small selection each month but books can be requested in advance; a complete list of books available can be found online. Books can be sent to members who are unable to get to meetings providing that they pay the outward and return postage. We welcome donations from private collections and also from publishers who provide us with new books to review for the Journal, then allowing us to add them to our library.

The Society holds annual shows in spring and autumn, at which trophies are awarded, for members who wish to exhibit their plants. These allow us all to appreciate the amazing expertise of some of our growers and are a good introduction to showing plants for newer members. For those of us with less experience the opportunity to see the best and to be able to ask how they are grown is invaluable.

If you have been to the larger British orchid shows like the RHS London Orchid Show and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, you will probably have seen a display provided the Orchid Society of Great Britain. What is rarely appreciated is that all the orchids are lent from the personal collections of our members. The displays are designed and built by members of our display team and offer another interesting way to be involved with the Society. The work is entirely voluntary with the intention of promoting orchid growing and conservation.

Goods are available from the Secretary at meetings or by post.

Please contact the Secretary to check availability and postage charges, even when ordering (and paying) through the website. Contact: Val Micklewright, tel: 01293 528615, e-mail: val@micklewright.com

Unfortunately postage charges have increased again from April 2013, so please consider arranging to collect your goods from meetings or shows.

• Badge: £4.00 each, p&p UK £1.00, overseas £2.00
• Sweatshirt in light grey with Society logo, unisex sizes S, M, L and XL: £18.00 each, p&p UK £4.50, Europe £5.50, overseas £7.50
• Polo shirt with Society logo, Standard fit – red, royal blue, navy, or Lady fit – navy, sizes S, M, L and XL: £14.00 each, p&p UK £4.50, Europe £5.50, overseas £7.50
• Please note: postage for sweatshirt + polo shirt is UK £6.00, Europe £6.50, overseas £10.00
• Binder for the Journal in red matt vinyl with OSGB Journal in gold (holds three volumes): £5.00 each, p&p UK £3.00, Europe £4.00, overseas £5.00
• Back copies of the Journal are available from the Membership Secretary: £5.00 per volume (four Journals), p&p UK £4.00, Europe £7.00, overseas £10.00

The Photographic and Art Competition is held at the June meeting. Doors will open at 12:30; all entries must be registered on arrival and should be in place by 13:30. Members are asked to label the reverse of their entries with their name, and the name of the plant (if known).

Please read the revised schedule carefully:
Class 1 Photographs of an orchid plant, flower or part thereof, prints no larger than 8 x 6 inches (20.3 x 15.2 cm).
Class 2 Photographs of an orchid or orchids taken in the wild showing some natural habitat, prints no larger than 8 x 6 inches (20.3 x 15.2 cm).
Class 3 Photographs of an orchid plant, flower or part thereof, prints greater than 8 x 6 inches (20.3 x 15.2 cm).
Class 4 Photographs of an orchid or orchids taken in the wild showing some natural habitat, prints greater than 8 x 6 inches (20.3 x 15.2 cm).
Class 5 Photographs of an exhibit or display of orchids at a show, nursery or botanic garden, prints greater than 8 x 6 inches (20.3 x 15.2cm).
Class 6 Any non-photographic orchid-related art, eg painting, drawing, needlework, pottery, computer art, cake decoration, flower arranging.
Class 7 Photograph of an orchid (any size) by a member who has previously sold some of their photographic work. See Rule 1 below.
Class 8 Any non-photographic orchid-related art, by a member who has sold some work of the type they are exhibiting, eg painting, drawing, needlework, pottery, computer art, cake decoration, flower arranging. See Rule 1 below.

Rules:

1. Classes 1–6 are open to amateur OSGB members. Members who have sold any of their photographs or art work of the type they are exhibiting should place these entries in Class 7 and 8.
2. The same photograph cannot be entered in more than one class (eg the same photograph or part of a photograph cannot be printed on 8 x 6 inch paper and entered in Class 1 and also on 10 x 8 inch paper and entered in Class 3).
3. Photographs and paintings entered in a previous OSGB Photographic and Art Competition cannot be entered again.
4. A member may enter a maximum of three photographs in Classes 1 to 5 (but may enter as many classes as they wish). Up to five entries per person are allowed in Classes 6, 7 and 8.
5. Photos may be professionally printed but not professionally enhanced, except by the exhibitor.
6. Photographs may be submitted to the competition, at least two weeks in advance, by members who are unable to attend the June meeting. Prints should be sent to the Secretary and can only be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed envelope. (Prints only please, digital images cannot be printed by the Society).
7. Members present at the June meeting will vote for their favourite three entries in each class and entries will be awarded three points for a first place vote, two points for a second place vote and one point for a third place vote. Rosettes will be awarded for the first, second and third highest point-count in each class. In the event of a tie, the number of first place votes will be taken into consideration.
8. The winner of the OSGB Photographic Trophy for the best photograph will be judged between the winners of classes 1–5 and will be determined by a show of hands after the prize winners in the individual classes have been announced