About the Club

The Garden Club was formed on July 15th 2004 as Ashill Gardening Club. At that first meeting at Ashill Community Centre there were 10 supporters who formed a committee under the chairmanship of Gillian Buckley. A £6 annual membership fee was agreed – and this remains the same 22 years later! Speakers were engaged for the monthly meetings, an annual Flower Show was organised and coach trips to places of garden interest were planned. By 2008 the Club had 42 members.

In 2010 the club moved its base to the Holme Hale Pavilion which offered improved facilities and the club was renamed Ashill & Holme Hale Garden Club. Under then Chairman David Green (2011-2017) and subsequent chairs David Priestley (2017-2019) and Neville McBrien (2019-present) the membership has steadily grown to over 100 members. Members of the club come from Ashill, Holme Hale, Necton, Swaffham, Watton and surrounding villages. At the AGM in 2021 the club agreed to change its name to Ashill, Holme Hale & District Garden Club to better reflect the increasing catchment area. The monthly meetings now regularly attract over 50 members at Holme Hale Pavilion and there are two coach outings per year, afternoon garden visits, Open Garden events, a Christmas Party and a Summer BBQ. Information on Garden Club activities can now be obtained on its website and in regular newsletters emailed to members and reports of meetings in village and town newsletters..

There have been many excellent visiting speakers over the years the Club has been in existence. Topics have ranged from talks on cultivating plants such as campanulas, roses and vegetables, to seasonal gardening advice and presentations on flower arranging, gardening techniques and how to make compost.

The highlight of the Garden Club year remains the Annual Flower Show which takes place each June at Holme Hale Pavilion. Since its inception the Show has blossomed and now attracts over 200 entries and a large crowd of visitors on Show day.

All this progress has only been made possible by the initial hard work of founding members of the Garden Club and has been continued by members who have served on the management committee over the years. The support of members to serve on the management committee and in other roles in the club makes for a friendly, informative and enjoyable garden club for all gardeners in the local area. So come along and join us, new members always welcome.

If you are interested in joining the Ashill, Holme Hale & District Garden Club please contact either the Chairman (Neville McBrien tel: (07778 147850) or send your enquiry via email: ashillholmehalegardenclub@gmail.com