Our Other Activities
In adition to our three Shows at St Augustine's Church Hall we have other activities open to Members. These include coach trips & an Annual Xmas Lunch. Each of these can be very popular & early booking is advised. Booking must be done at one of the Shows.
Day Coach Trips
Starting from Thorpe Bay station our Coach trips have visited a wide range of destinations over the years. We try to incorporate both a visit to a garden attraction with a stop for lunch or afternoon tea. In 2023 we visited Penshurst Place near Tonbridge in May & in August we visited RHS Wisley. Last year we visited Mount Ephraim Gardens in Kent in June & in August we visited Fullers Mill garden stopping in Bury St Edmunds for lunch on the way.​
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On the 3rd August our second day trip was to Capel Manor Gardens, a horticultural college in Enfield. With about 40 gardens, many from displays at Chelsea, designs and features were wide ranging from formal to natural. A large area was given over to trial gardens. There was also a small zoo at which we watched some animals at feeding time.
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On 29th June this year we visited Bury St Edmunds again for their Open Gardens event. Bury St Edmunds is always a very pleasant town to visit and on this occasion over 30 residents opened their gardens to raise funds for St Nicholas Hospice. Most gardens were in the centre of town, old and quaint with flint stone walling. Some provided plenty of colour, musical entertainment, refreshments and plant stalls. We all came home hot and happy!
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See photos below
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Annual Xmas Lunch
This normally takes place in early December at a restaurant in the local area. For the last few years this has been held in the Thorpe Hall Golf Club restaurant offering a three course meal with seasonal fare.
The date for 2025 is Dec 3rd. Click below for menu. Cost will be £43.50pp or £45.50pp for those choosing cheese & biscuits as a dessert. Bookings at the Autumn Show or later to the Chairman. Deposit £10..00pp.
National Gardens Scheme
Although we are not directly connected with the National Gardens Scheme, many of our members enjoy visiting the many gardens in Essex & further afield that are open to visitors through the year. You can visit the scheme's website for more details https://ngs.org.uk/
Open Garden Bury St Edmunds
Capel Manor Gardens
Open Garden Bury St Edmunds
Open Garden Bury St Edmunds
