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‘Start as you mean to go on’ Roland Tebbenham |
| The Zone Convention seemed to go so well I asked Roland if he would sent a report. Read on… |
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NN's
official photographer saw this plant
on the sales' tables and thought he recognised it from somewhere. Now what
was it...? Errr...
And could you afford it if you did? Click the image for the answers! |
Spring arrived early; at least for Cactophiles and Succulentophiles with noses for a good day out. People came from far and wide to enjoy two fantastic speakers, buy lots of plants, pots and books and enjoy a chat over wholesome food. The occasion was the 2008 Zone 6 Convention, the first entry on the BCSS Calendar. As the host branch we had been planning the event for more than eighteen months, and the hard work paid off handsomely. Our two speakers Petr Pavelka from Prague and Marlon Machado from Brazil (via Zurich) proved a tempting draw for more than one hundred people. Folk travelled from North Wales, Manchester, Chester, York, Southampton and Bristol, as well as those from within Zone 6. Our Nurserymen were Tony Irons from Bristol, Doug and Doreen Donaldson from High Wycombe, and our own stalwart Sales Team. Sales plants were complemented by Phillip Barker’s pots and bowls (from Manchester) and Keith Larkin’s superb selection of books and journals. The whole experience was completed by the all-inclusive quality refreshments during the day.
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Petr had travelled with his wife
Hanna,
and they had enjoyed visiting some branch collections before the event. He
opened the proceedings with a stunning tour of Namibian habitats and plants,
from the Fish River Canyon in the south, towards Damaraland and the Baines
Mountains in the north. Tough Sarcocaulons with their fragile, papery flowers
were the stars for me; though others marvelled at the shrivelled Conophytum and
Lithops species. The audience was silent (except maybe Stirling Baker) and not a
rumbly tum was heard before lunch. Hot soup and the plated meal were consumed
eagerly, to allow time for conversation and shopping. Everyone seemed to be
enjoying themselves.
Left: Petr Pavelka with his lovely wife Hannah. When things got a bit frantic in the kitchen Hannah pitched in and helped. Thanks Hannah! |
| The speaker immediately after lunch is said to have the curse of ‘the graveyard slot’, during which the audience sleeps off the effects of their lunch. However Marlon had no such problem – he delivered a digital presentation based on the excellent book by Nigel Taylor and Daniella Zappi ‘The Cacti of Eastern Brazil’. It was a tour de force with at least four hundred images of more than one hundred species. The blue fruits of Stephanocereus, neat cephalia of Melocactus, and wonderful purplish-brown Uebelmannia bodies jostled for top spot of the plant I most want to grow. A short break was allowed for the audience to buy more raffle tickets and also for a group photograph of BCSS Forum members in the audience. Then Petr delivered a second talk before the tea break on his explorations of the North East corner of Madagascar. This started on the coast, visited islands, then travelled south through sharp, limestone ‘tsingy’ landscapes towards the capital ‘Tana’ (Antananarivo). The Pachypodium decaryi, baronii, and rosulatum plants were terrific. Many endemic Aloe and Euphorbia species completed a varied mix that even featured succulent orchids of the genus Bulbophyllum. |
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Tea and Cakes were devoured with alacrity and eager buyers sought plants featured in the talks. Following the cabaret of the raffle, Marlon was back to complete the proceedings with his second talk ‘Plants of the Pampas’. He reported on his studies of the incidence, distribution and relationships of the ‘Notocacti’, now more correctly Parodia species of the southernmost province of Brazil – Rio Grande do Sul. We were treated to views of eager researchers in the countryside tracking down and recording plants. This work was put into context with laboratory studies of DNA to check relationships. All the appreciative audience wished Marlon well and expect him to be awarded a well deserved Doctorate.
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| Gillian shows us the National winners for 2012, 2016... | Now who would buy this 'orrible thing? It is deformed, deranged, dysfunctional ... Ugg, urgggh etc.. It is called Notocactus uebelmannianus 'variegatus'. | Homebred NMK Frankie says 'Look what I got! It's luvelleeeee! |
Was the event a success? Did the extended four-talk format work? Everyone I spoke to said yes; the comments on the
BCSS Forum endorsed this view. We had a record attendance to prove the point. Good speakers are the draw, but good shopping opportunities need to be on offer as well as good food and a comfortable venue. And the whole enterprise depends on people stepping up to organise and deliver all the various elements. I offer my thanks to the Branch Committee members and to all the helpers on the day. I am confident that both our speakers enjoyed their time with us; we would certainly invite them back!Roland
Ed: Thanks Roland. That neatly sums up the 2008 Zone 6 Convention. As a mere foot soldier in the organisation I must say that I really enjoyed the day out
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Eminent members of the BCSS Forum turned up. Click for the official photo, (or email if you want to print a poster!) |
Philip Barker did a roaring trade in pots. You might resist the plants (The Ed didn't) but everyone needs pots! |
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There are more pictures of the Convention at Harrow's website. Thanks!
