Combined Branch Events Diary

Is your branch not listed here? Do you know of events not listed yet? Please let us know!

Around the country each month there are many Branch meetings where you can meet like minded enthusiasts and have the opportunity to enjoy interesting talks by visiting speakers. Often at Branch meetings there are plants for sale too. If you don’t regularly go to meetings, or have never been before, please consider supporting your local branch.

This list is not exhaustive (not every branch has submitted information). It gives a flavour of what our meetings are about. If you are attending a Branch for the first time please check the relevant Branch website for the most up-to-date information about any particular meeting.

Note that Branch Shows and other events likely to be of wider interest to the BCSS are also listed on the Shows, Regional and National Events page.

All BCSS meetings are open to everyone. You do not have to be a member to attend (although if you are not a member we hope that you may be encouraged to join!) Some branches may charge a small admission fee to cover the cost of the venue.

Last updated: 14/10/2024.

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis
03 January 2025 Hull & East Riding January Meeting Bob Hall Bob Hall will be giving a talk on USA Collections by Sonia Barker-Fricker. With usual raffle and table show.
07 January 2025 Southampton Members' Evening Short Talks by Branch Members
08 January 2025 Teesside Identifying Cacti and Succulents Ray Stephenson How to identify plants in cultivation and in the wild.
09 January 2025 Northumbria Plants on my travels Richard Torr
09 January 2025 Rother Valley Branch meeting - January TBD
11 January 2025 Gloucester AGM & plant auction
11 January 2025 Manchester Flora of the Canary Islands Elizabethe Maddock On her first visit to La Gomera in the Canary Islands in 2012, Elizabeth was captivated by the region's diverse scenery and plant life, particularly the Aeoniums. She has returned many times since then, marvelling at the habitat plants and endemic species that thrive in these isolated volcanic islands. The unique conditions found on these islands make their flora truly magnificent.
13 January 2025 Huddersfield TBA Peter Hoyle
13 January 2025 Liverpool Branch Meeting TBC
14 January 2025 Croydon California and Mexico David Sheppard (Presenter) Digital Presentation -slides of the late Frank Horwood
Table Show-Stenocactus Group, Sempervivum Subgroup, Plant in Flower
16 January 2025 Chelmsford "It started with a dream" - My Cheiridopsis National Collection & other Mesembs Nick Pengelly This will be a Zoom meeting, held in our usual meeting place in Danbury,
18 January 2025 Portsmouth Why are there no fossil cacti? David Martill
21 January 2025 Birmingham Birmingham Branch Meal Branch Run A chance to socialise and chat over a meal and drink a this Victorian pub. Parking in Harborne. For more information please contact the Branch in early January 2025.
25 January 2025 Dover AGM
28 January 2025 York Workshop on Potting David Fair

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis
01 February 2025 Bristol Cactus Soc. New Adventure in Mexico Frank Sengpiel Latest visit that Frank has made to Mexico

A meeting charge of £3.00 will apply to non Bristol Cactus Society members

04 February 2025 Southampton Brazil Part 2 Minas Gerais (Cliff Thompson)
06 February 2025 Wiltshire Seed Sowing and Seedling Care Mike Read Our annual seed growing workshop organised by members and an opportunity to get advice on previous seed grown plants. There will be a raffle and table show also.
7 February 2025 Hull & East Riding February Meeting Neil Hyde Neil Hyde will be continuing his East Africa Series with Part 3. With usual raffle and table show.
08 February 2025 Gloucester Members' short talks Anne Haines & John Foster
08 February 2025 Manchester Stapeliads Dr Tony Mace This will be a Zoom presentation given in our usual meeting hall.
10 February 2025 Huddersfield My Plant Journey Ess Green
10 February 2025 Liverpool Branch Meeting TBC
11 February 2025 Croydon Spring Flowers of the Sierra de Guadarrama David Sheppard Based on flowers seen on a trip to this region of Spain.

Table Show-Astrophytum Group, Euphorbia Group, Plant in Flower

12 February 2025 Teesside 25 Years in Bolivia John Carr
13 February 2025 Northumbria Propagation John Carr
13 February 2025 Rother Valley Branch meeting - February Paul Spracklin
15 February 2025 Portsmouth A Personal Choice - cacti and succulents over the last 50 years Tom Radford
18 February 2025 Birmingham Seed swop and Propagation workshop Branch Run Swop seeds, plant seeds and share ideas on seed growing. Hear about forthcoming events, trips and open gardens.
We meet at Winterbourne House and Garden Centre for Horticulture from around 7.00 pm to begin a talk or activity at 7.30 pm. Plenty of free parking. The car park is open from 6.45 pm. Cost £3 to go towards expenses. First time visitors can come in for free. There are often plants for sale at our meetings. . Full details on our website. https://birmingham.bcss.org.uk/
19 February 2025 South Wales Branch meeting Alan Goldsmith Alpine succulents and succulent alpines - a look at succulent mountain plants
20 February 2025 Chelmsford Lithops and Conophytums Brian McDonough This will be a Zoom meeting, held in our usual meeting place in Danbury,
22 February 2025 Dover Monthly Meeting Philip Oostenbrink Plant collecting - Hunters/crazes/national collections
22 February 2025 Grampian Walk at Duthie Park Winter Gardens Meet for a walk around Duthie Park Winter Gardens, Aberdeen. From 2pm
25 February 2025 York Bolivian Adventures John Carr

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis
01 March 2025 Bristol Cactus Soc. Dave's x 2 Dave Hartnell and Dave Phillips A slection given by our Chairman and Secretary

A meeting charge of £3.00 will apply to non Bristol Cactus Society members

04 March 2025 Kings Lynn Three Gardens/ Three Countries/Ten Miles Laurie Poulson
04 March 2025 Southampton To be confirmed
05 March 2025 Leicester An Introduction to Eretrea Andrew Harris An introduction to the environment, people and succulents of Eretrea
06 March 2025 Wiltshire Cacti in Cltivation Victoria Davies of C&V Cacti First time visit from Vicky who will be sharing her wisdom and hopefully some hints and tricks about growing cacti successfully! The usual raffle and table show to take place too.
07 March 2025 Hull & East Riding March Meeting John Arnold John Arnold will be giving a talk on Chile. With usual raffle and table show.
08 March 2025 Gloucester Succulent alpines & alpine succulents Alan Goldsmith
08 March 2025 Manchester Cleistocactus Martin Lowry
10 March 2025 Huddersfield Just Two More Days Ian Robinson
10 March 2025 Liverpool Branch Meeting TBC
11 March 2025 Croydon Defeating Drought-a Tour of South African Biomes Derek Tribble A talk on the various regions of South Africa illustrated by Succulent Plants.

Table Show- Gymnocalycium Group, Crassula Subgroup, Plant in Flower

12 March 2025 Lincoln AGM and Talk on Haworthias Dr Adrian Weatherill AGM for 2025
12 March 2025 Teesside Plants in my Greenhouse Bob Hall
13 March 2025 Northumbria Memories of Colin Norton Bob Hall
13 March 2025 Rother Valley Branch meeting - March TBD
15 March 2025 Portsmouth Raising Cacti from Seed Vicky Davies
18 March 2025 Birmingham Chinese Cactus Conference Ralph Martin In 2024 Ralph travelled to the 2nd Chinese Cactus Conference, as well as nurseries and gardens in China. Ralph is Emeritus Professor of Cardiff University. Ralph grows cacti and succulents as a hobby, and is Chairman of the Research Committee of the British Cactus and Succulent Society. He has lists of plants and journals for exchange or sale. His cactus and succulent field number database is well-known, as is his related database of collectors acronyms. Searches can also be made for field numbers corresponding to a given species or locality. Ralph may be able to bring plants to the talk for you to save on postage - check out his website. https://www.rrm.me.uk/
We meet at Winterbourne House and Garden Centre for Horticulture from around 7.00 pm to begin a talk or activity at 7.30 pm. Plenty of free parking. The car park is open from 6.45 pm. Cost £3 to go towards expenses. First time visitors can come in for free. There are often plants for sale at our meetings. . Full details on our website. https://birmingham.bcss.org.uk/
19 March 2025 South Wales Branch meeting John Hughes Harri Lorenzi and the Jardim Botanico Plantarum
20 March 2025 Chelmsford Practical repotting Dr Richard Rolfe
20 March 2025 Grampian Showing & Judging Christine & David Bruno Talk on Showing & Judging by Christine & David Bruno. 7.30pm-9.30pm
21 March 2025 Spalding Mystery Talk Carlos Zeferino
25 March 2025 York In a Different Light Terry Goodfellow Amazing macro-photography of cacti and succulents
29 March 2025 Dover Monthly Meeting Stuart Riley American Travels

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis
01 April 2025 Kings Lynn Madagascar Ron Crawford
01 April 2025 Southampton To be confirmed
02 April 2025 Leicester Cacti and Succulent Propagation Alan Rollason
03 April 2025 Wiltshire Butterflies and their role in pollination Geoff Hobson A slightly off-topic talk this month as we look into the mechanics of flower pollination. There will also be the usual raffle and table show.
4 April 2025 Hull & East Riding April Meeting Graham Walker Graham Walker will be giving a talk on an Introduction to Bonsai. With usual raffle and table show.
05 April 2025 Bristol Cactus Soc. Baja California David Minion A meeting charge of £3.00 will apply to non Bristol Cactus Society members
08 April 2025 Croydon Sulcorebutia Kathy Flanagan An illustrated overview of the genus.

Table Show-Rebutia Group, Aloe Group, Plant in Flower.

09 April 2025 Lincoln Small Opuntias John Betteley Talk from the Tephrocactus Study Group Secretary
09 April 2025 Teesside Show and Tell Bring along some of your interesting or significant plants to show to members.
10 April 2025 Northumbria Pretty Flowers Mike Stansbie
10 April 2025 Rother Valley AGM & Plant Auction None
11 April 2025 Spalding American Adventures Stuart Riley
12 April 2025 Gloucester Succulents for the cactophile Ian Robinson
12 April 2025 Manchester The Chinese Cactus and Succulent Union 2nd International Conference Prof. Ralph Martin In Spring 2024, Ralph was invited to give a talk at the 2nd Chinese Cactus Union Conference, and also visited many C&S nurseries in the region, and a couple of private botanical gardens. This talk will describe the trip, and show what he saw there. Be prepared for some amazing plants, on a mind-boggling scale.

Ralph has been growing cacti and succulents since he was in primary school, and retired to North Wales where he constructed a large greenhouse for them, and where he now spends much of his time. He is also the Chairman of the BCSS Research Committee, and is the maintainer of a large field number database: see https://fieldnos.bcss.org.uk/

12 April 2025 Spalding 17th Spalding Cactus Mart Holbeach Community Centre, Fishpond Lane, Holbeach, Lincs, PE12 7DE
Open from 10.00 to 15.00. See the National and Regional Shows and Events page for more details.
14 April 2025 Huddersfield Baja - Part 1 Carl Howard-Morton
14 April 2025 Liverpool Branch Meeting
14 April 2025 Northumbria 2024 Ray Stephenson
15 April 2025 Birmingham My affection for Agaves Bryan Doherty Bryan is Vice Chair of the BCSS Macclesfield and Wilmslow areas of East Cheshire. Bryan helps organise the Branch Show, and BCSS presence at the RHS Tatton Show.
We meet at Winterbourne House and Garden Centre for Horticulture from around 7.00 pm to begin a talk or activity at 7.30 pm. Plenty of free parking. The car park is open from 6.45 pm. Cost £3 to go towards expenses. First time visitors can come in for free. There are often plants for sale at our meetings. . Full details on our website. https://birmingham.bcss.org.uk/
17 April 2025 Chelmsford More practical photography Marion Sidebottom
19 April 2025 Dover Monthly Meeting Dr Clive Nuttman Orchids of Kent
19 April 2025 Portsmouth Annual Branch Plant Auction
22 April 2025 York Seed Raising Workshop Nichola Theakstone & Nigel Walters
24 April 2025 Grampian Dragon Trees and Mother-in-law's Tongues Colin Walker 7.30pm - 9.30 pm
26 April 2025 Chelmsford Rawreth Cactus Mart Annual event, held at the New Village Hall, Church Road, Rawreth, Essex SS11 8SH.

Open from 10 am to 4 pm - £3.50 (children under 18 free but must be accompanied by an adult).

Our fourth Annual event, with good parking in the car park itself and the local country lane.

A fantastic array of plants for sale at great prices. Experienced and friendly growers on hand to give advice.

Many lesser seen cacti and succulents will be available, including species such as Melocacti, Lithops and many more!

Come and grab some healthy locally grown plants for your collection!

Free tea and coffee in the conservatory.

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis
01 May 2025 Wiltshire 'Raising from seed - hints and tips' Tony Irons A welcome return to Mr Tony Irons who will be sharing his wisdom and bringing sales plants along too! The usual table show and raffle will take place.
2 May 2025 Hull & East Riding May Meeting Trevor Wray Trevor Wray will be giving a talk on Namibia. With usual raffle and table show.
03 May 2025 Bristol Cactus Soc. The Tom Mogg Memorial Meeting (this is a Joint meeting with the Bristol Branch of the BCSS) Ian Woolnough Subject "Mexico"

A meeting charge of £3.00 will apply to non Bristol Cactus Society members

03 May 2025 Manchester Northwest Cactus Mart
06 May 2025 Kings Lynn Baja 2023 Ian Woolnough
06 May 2025 Southampton Cultivation & Propagation Evening
07 May 2025 Leicester Echinocerous Julian Cooke
08 May 2025 Rother Valley Coryphantha Update 2025 Kathy & Keith Flanagan
10 May 2025 Gloucester Echeveria and related genera Trevor Jackman
10 May 2025 Grampian National Collection of Atlostera, Rebutia & Weingartia Open Day Paul Doyle Our annual visit to Paul's collection in Collieston. 10 a.m. start. Best viewed in the morning as flowers tend to close up in the afternoons.
12 May 2025 Huddersfield Evolution of Cacti - Part 1 Ivor Crook
12 May 2025 Liverpool Branch Meeting TBC
13 May 2025 Croydon Parodia John Arnold An illustrated overview of the genus.

Table Show-Parodia Group, Gasteria Group, Plant in Flower.

14 May 2025 Lincoln Bolivia 2024 Mr Ian Woolnough A new presentation for 2025
14 May 2025 Teesside Back to South Africa Richard Torr Succulent plants of South Africa.
15 May 2025 Chelmsford "Who needs flowers?" Brian Cradwick
16 May 2025 Spalding Mesembs Ian Robinson
17 May 2025 High Wycombe High Wycombe Branch Show West Wycombe Village Hall, High St., West Wycombe, Bucks HP14 3AB. 10:30-15:30.
17 May 2025 Portsmouth Costa Rica and Antigua (Short Talks ) Ian Woolnough
20 May 2025 Birmingham Brazil, Part 2 Martin Lowry Martin is a amateur botanist with a particular interest in South American Cacti, especially those of Andean Bolivia. There is still much to discover and he recently discovered and described a new genus of cactus. Martin is also a Trustee of the new Gordon Rowley Society, which is starting a Library in Rutland to preserve Cacti & Succulent Education material.
We meet at Winterbourne House and Garden Centre for Horticulture from around 7.00 pm to begin a talk or activity at 7.30 pm. Plenty of free parking. The car park is open from 6.45 pm. Cost £3 to go towards expenses. First time visitors can come in for free. There are often plants for sale at our meetings. . Full details on our website. https://birmingham.bcss.org.uk/
21 May 2025 South Wales Branch meeting David Lambie Lithops
27 May 2025 York Identifying Cacti and Succulent Families Ray Stephenson
31 May 2025 Dover Monthly Meeting Alan Bromley Mexico

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis
03 June 2025 Kings Lynn Propagating with Plants Carlos Zefferino
03 June 2025 Southampton Title to be confirmed Ian Woolnough
04 June 2025 Leicester Branch meeting TBC
05 June 2025 Wiltshire 'Pests and Diseases' Amelia Williams Horticulturist and bonsai grower Amelia will be sharing her experience and advice in dealing with pests and diseases that can impact our plants. There will be a raffle and table show.
6 June 2025 Hull & East Riding June Meeting Ian Woolnough Ian Woolnough will be giving a talk on Mammillaria and associated genera in Habitat. With usual raffle and table show.
07 June 2025 Bristol Cactus Soc. Echinocereus Julian Cooke A meeting charge of £3.00 will apply to non Bristol Cactus Society members
08 June 2025 Northumbria Open garden day at Stansbie's & Torr's
09 June 2025 Huddersfield If It's Flowers You Want - Part 2 Peter Bint
09 June 2025 Liverpool Branch Meeting TBC
10 June 2025 Croydon Mammillaria Graham Evans A look at this popular genus of cacti from the speaker's collection.

Table Show- Mammillaria Group, Haworthia Group, Plant in Flower.

11 June 2025 Lincoln Greenhouse Visit and BBQ Secretarys Greenhouse Saxilby 1830 onwards
11 June 2025 Teesside Table Show Bring along your plants and learn from a qualified Show judge the do's and don't of showing plants off to their best. Schedule will be published later.
12 June 2025 Northumbria My Plants Through the Ages Richard Torr
12 June 2025 Rother Valley Cotyledon, Adromischus and Tylecodon Derek Tribble
14 June 2025 Gloucester Los Angeles County Arboretum & The Huntington Ben Turner
14 June 2025 Manchester Seed Raising and Grafting John Carr
14 June 2025 Sheffield Sheffield Branch Show Sheffied Branch's Show will take place on 14-15th June at Sheffield Botanic Gardens, Dorothy Fox Centre from 12pm Saturday
14 June 2025 Wiltshire Wiltshire Branch Annual Cacti and Succulent Show Our annual branch show will take place between 10am and 3pm at the Melksham Assembly Hall. This years judge is Gareth Darbon.
17 June 2025 Birmingham Namibia, Etosha NP and Lithop hunting Alan Brown Alan is the current chair of Leicester Branch and former show committee member. He has travelled extensively. His talk tonight will be on Namibia which is particularly rich in mesembs including lithops .
We meet at Winterbourne House and Garden Centre for Horticulture from around 7.00 pm to begin a talk or activity at 7.30 pm. Plenty of free parking. The car park is open from 6.45 pm. Cost £3 to go towards expenses. First time visitors can come in for free. There are often plants for sale at our meetings. . Full details on our website. https://birmingham.bcss.org.uk/
18 June 2025 South Wales Branch meeting Ian Woolnough Chile
19 June 2025 Chelmsford Turbinicarpus Julian Cooke
20 June 2025 Spalding Soqotra Research Project Neil Oakman
21 June 2025 Chelmsford Chelmsford annual Cactus Show & Mart To be held in Danbury Village Hall, Main Road, Danbury, Essex CM3 4NQ.
Open from 10 am to 3 pm - Admission : £3 per person (children under 18 free, but must be accompanied by an adult).
Nearby car parks with free parking.
21 June 2025 Portsmouth 75th Branch Anniversary Celebrations Graham Charles - Favourite Plants from Rio Grande du Sul TBC
24 June 2025 York Social Event at their home John and Margarent Carr Ask branch secretary for details
28 June 2025 Dover Branch Show

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis
01 July 2025 Kings Lynn Branch Meeting TBA
01 July 2025 Southampton Small Opuntias in Habitat and Culture Mike Partridge
02 July 2025 Leicester Mexico pt 2 Ian Woolnough
03 July 2025 Wiltshire Travelogue Ian Woolnough Ian will be sharing stories and photographs from of his many trips overseas searching for cacti in habitat. There will also be the usual table show and raffle.
04 July 2025 Hull & East Riding July Meeting Mark Preston Mark Preston will be giving a talk on An Introduction to Epiphytes. With usual raffle and table show.
05 July 2025 Bristol Cactus Soc. Argentina and Chile Mike Partridge A meeting charge of £3.00 will apply to non Bristol Cactus Society members
08 July 2025 Croydon General Greenhouse Ramble Julian Cooke A trip through the presenter's greenhouse with cacti and succulents.

Table Show-Opuntia Group, Aeonium Subgroup, Plant in Flower.

09 July 2025 Lincoln I Have Lost The Lable Members Night Members bring their Plants for identity and Growing tips
09 July 2025 Teesside Argentina 2023 Ian Woolnough Travelogue and cacti and succulents in Argentina.
10 July 2025 Northumbria Argentina 2023 Ian Woolnough
10 July 2025 Rother Valley Branch meeting - July TBD
12 July 2025 Gloucester It started with a licence plate Richard Booth
12 July 2025 Manchester My Love for Agaves Bryan Doherty
14 July 2025 Huddersfield Peru Martin Lowry
14 July 2025 Liverpool Branch Meeting TBC
15 July 2025 Birmingham Gran Canaria and La Gomera Les Pearcy Gran Canaria: One of the larger Canary Islands, home to large numbers of succulent plants particularly Crassulaceae. The talk also features a visit to one of the largest cactus gardens in Europe.
Gomera: La Gomera, the second-smallest of the main islands in Spain’s Canary Island chain, is marked by craggy volcanic mountains crisscrossed with hiking trails. In higher altitudes, dense forests of ferns and moss-covered trees grow in the mists of Garajonay National Park. Again large numbers of Aeoniums as well as Euphorbias are some of the main features.
We meet at Winterbourne House and Garden Centre for Horticulture from around 7.00 pm to begin a talk or activity at 7.30 pm. Plenty of free parking. The car park is open from 6.45 pm. Cost £3 to go towards expenses. First time visitors can come in for free. There are often plants for sale at our meetings. . Full details on our website. https://birmingham.bcss.org.uk/
16 July 2025 South Wales Branch meeting Hazel Taylor Plants and Animals of the Western Cape (part 2)
17 July 2025 Chelmsford "Crassulas everywhere" Derek Tribble
18 July 2025 Spalding An Evening of Haworthia Alan Rollason
19 July 2025 Portsmouth Bulbs of the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa Benjamin Turner
20 July 2025 Kings Lynn Possible BBQ at Eau Brink.......Date to be confirmed
22 July 2025 York South African Safari: part I Graham Walker
26 July 25 Croydon Summer Show Venue- Sanderstead Methodist Church, Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead, Surrey CR2 9EF.
Time- 11:00am until 3:30pm.
26 July 2025 Dover Monthly Meeting Suzanne Mace Columnar Cacti
30 July 2025 Chelmsford RHS Hyde Hall Flower Show - 30 July to 3 August 2025 Chelmsford annual participation in this major event, in our own marquee

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis
02 August 2025 Bristol Cactus Soc. Namibia, Etosha and Lithops Alan Brown A meeting charge of £3.00 will apply to non Bristol Cactus Society members
03 August 2025 Hull & East Riding August Meeting - Annual Open Greenhouses No Speaker There is no Friday meeting in August, instead please join us for our annual Open Greenhouses Event on Sunday 3rd, please email Bob Hall for details if you have not received them. This year we will be back with Robert Lawrence and then on to Ann Lowry for a good catch up, with the usual raffle and buffet, plus plant and sundry sales. Not to be missed!
03 August 2025 Northumbria Open day at Stephenson's
05 August 2025 Kings Lynn Big Bend and Southern Rockies Graham Walker
05 August 2025 Southampton Plant Focus Evening. Cactus - Astrophytum, Lophophora, Turbinicarpus. Succulent - Aeonium, Aichryson, Greenovia
07 August 2025 Wiltshire Members Evening No Speaker An opportunity for Branch members to bring plants along to show or seek advice on. There will be a table show and raffle.
09 August 2025 Gloucester "Succulent Asphodelaceae (Aloe Gasteria Haworthia)" Branch forum
09 August 2025 Manchester Mexico Autumn 2014 - The Search For Ariocarpus In Flower Ian Woolnough
9 August 2025 Northumbria Newbiggin by the Sea display and plant sale
11 August 2025 Huddersfield Branch Auction N/A
11 August 2025 Liverpool Branch Meeting TBC
12 August 2025 Croydon Crassulaceae John Hughes An overview of the genera in the Crassula family.

Table Show-Echinopsis Group, Echeveria Subgroup, Plant in Flower.

13 August 2025 Lincoln Nursery Visit Visit to " Plant Lovers Nursery" Candlesby 1500 hrs PE23 5RU
13 August 2025 Teesside Welbury Social Come along to buy and sell plants NB at Welbury Village Hall *NOT* usual venue.
14 August 2025 Rother Valley Branch meeting - August TBD
15 August 2025 Spalding Brazil Part 1 - Rio Grande do Sul Cliff Thompson
16 August 2025 Manchester RHS Bridgewater Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August. BCSS Cactus and Succulent Weekend Event at RHS Bridgewater
17 August 2025 York Greenhouse visits David Johnston & David Fair
19 August 2025 Birmingham Bolivia Ian Woolnough Ian is a geologist and cartographer whose interest in cacti started as a teenager. As well as having written numerous articles on cacti and other succulents he has spoken widely throughout the UK and internationally on the subject. He is well travelled and will relates some of his ventures to the USA.
We meet at Winterbourne House and Garden Centre for Horticulture from around 7.00 pm to begin a talk or activity at 7.30 pm. Plenty of free parking. The car park is open from 6.45 pm. Cost £3 to go towards expenses. First time visitors can come in for free. There are often plants for sale at our meetings. . Full details on our website. https://birmingham.bcss.org.uk/
20 August 2025 South Wales Branch meeting David Minnion tba
26 August 2025 York Evolution of the Crassula Family Ivor Crook
30 August 2025 Dover Monthly Meeting Dr Jonathan Hughes Holambra

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis
02 September 2025 Kings Lynn Gardens of the Western Cape Trevor Wray
03 September 2025 Leicester 'What is this' Adrian Weatherill
04 September 2025 Wiltshire 'Aloes and Hybridisation' Ogie Placido Ogie Placido will be talking about his passion for hybridising Aloes and also be bringing plants for sale. There will be a raffle and table show.
05 September 2025 Hull & East Riding September Meeting John Carr John Carr will be giving a talk on 25 years in Bolivia. With usual raffle and table show.
06 September 2025 Bristol Cactus Soc. Tephrocactus and other small Opuntias Alan Weaden A meeting charge of £3.00 will apply to non Bristol Cactus Society members
08 September 2025 Huddersfield Big Bend National Park and Southern Rockies Graham Walker
08 September 2025 Liverpool Branch Table Show None
09 September 2025 Croydon Echeveria (Provisional) Trevor Jackman A look at this popular succulent genus in the presenter's collection.

Table Show- Ariocarpus Group, Mesembryanthemum Group, Plant in Flower.

10 September 2025 Lincoln My Favourite Cactus Or Succulents Members Night Members bring there favourite plants to talk about and get advice
10 September 2025 Teesside Namibia Les Pearcy Travelogue - Succulents of Namibia in habitat.
11 September 2025 Northumbria Namibia Les Pearcy
11 September 2025 Rother Valley Asclepiads Tom Radford
13 September 2025 Gloucester Minishow
13 September 2025 Manchester
16 September 2025 Birmingham Evening Showing and Judging, Branch Run A great prelude to our own Autumn show. An opportunity to gain confidence in showing off the best plants in our collections. A list of categories will be sent around. E.g. plant and pot pairing, a caudex plant, a globular cacti, an aloe etc Bring along plants and we all judge - with prizes! Judging is based on your own opinion.
We meet at Winterbourne House and Garden Centre for Horticulture from around 7.00 pm to begin a talk or activity at 7.30 pm. Plenty of free parking. The car park is open from 6.45 pm. Cost £3 to go towards expenses. First time visitors can come in for free. There are often plants for sale at our meetings. . Full details on our website. https://birmingham.bcss.org.uk/
17 September 2025 South Wales Branch meeting Ralph Martin A Trip to the 2nd Chinese Cactus Union Conference
18 September 2025 Chelmsford "In my new greenhouse" Ralph Martin
19 September 2025 Spalding Continental Collections Ian Woolnough
20 September 2025 Portsmouth Chile Odyssey Part 1 Julian Cooke
23 September 2025 York South African Wanderings David Slade
27 September 2025 Dover Monthly Meeting Ian Woolnough Argentina

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis
01 October 2025 Leicester Cacti & Succulents of North East Mexico Branch AGM + Hazel Taylor
02 October 2025 Wiltshire 'Conophytums and other meesembs' David Lambie David will be sharing his knowledge of growing and cultivating these plants. There will be a table show and a raffle.
3 October 2025 Hull & East Riding October Meeting Chloe & Lara Our very own young people, Chloe & Lara, will be talking to us about "Stuff and Things" With usual raffle and table show.
04 October 2025 Bristol Cactus Soc. Video Selection Peter Belcher A selection of videos of Tuscon, Arizona Botanical Garden Tour 2024,
Cactus and Succulent Fair in NSW, Australia 2024 and Irish Cactus and Succulent Society Show 2024.A meeting charge of £3.00 will apply to non Bristol Cactus Society members
07 October 2025 Kings Lynn Monotypic genus Julian Cooke
08 October 2025 Lincoln Members Social Evening General discussions with refreshments at the Last Meeting of the year
08 October 2025 Teesside Plants in my Scottish Greenhouse Brian Mc Donough
09 October 2025 Northumbria A close look Brian McDonough
09 October 2025 Rother Valley Branch meeting - October TBD
11 October 2025 Gloucester Thelocactus Julian Cooke
11 October 2025 Manchester Northwest Mesemb Show
13 October 2025 Liverpool Branch Meeting TBC
14 October 2025 Croydon Autumn Show Venue- As monthly meetings.
Time-7:00pm until 9:45pm
15 October 2025 South Wales Branch meeting Ian Robinson In my Greenhouse
16 October 2025 Chelmsford Chelmsford branch AGM and Members' evening
17 October 2025 Spalding AGM followed by Flora and Fauna of New Zealand Part 1 Gerry Blacoe
18 October 2025 Portsmouth Argentina 2023 Ian Woolnough
21 October 2025 Birmingham 'Greenhouse + automation etc' Julian Cooke Julian is Secretary of the Berkhampstead BCSS Branch. He is a plant grower and frequently travels abroad. Tonight we hear about tech that may help us!
We meet at Winterbourne House and Garden Centre for Horticulture from around 7.00 pm to begin a talk or activity at 7.30 pm. Plenty of free parking. The car park is open from 6.45 pm. Cost £3 to go towards expenses. First time visitors can come in for free. There are often plants for sale at our meetings. . Full details on our website. https://birmingham.bcss.org.uk/
25 October 2025 Dover Monthly Meeting Hazel Taylor Galapagos and Ecuador
28 October 2025 York AGM and Chair's Choice All members input All members input

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis
01 November 2025 Bristol Cactus Soc. Annual general meeting followed by a general Question and Answer Session Bristol Cactus Society AGM
04 November 2025 Kings Lynn Branch AGM
05 November 2025 Leicester Branch meeting TBC
06 November 2025 Wiltshire 'Rescuing Cacti for a living' Hayley Stephens of Mint Plants We are delighted to have Hayley Stephens of Mint plants join us for an evening of plant rescuing and to glean some advice and tips from her wealth of experience. There will be the usual table show and raffle.
07 November 2025 Hull & East Riding AGM and Members Contributions Members Contributions Annual General Meeting to discuss branch specifics. Slideshow of members contributions, all welcome, please bring a selection of 20-30 photos on a subject of personal interest to share with the group. With usual raffle and table show.
08 November 2025 Gloucester Conophytums Philip Moor
08 November 2025 Manchester Succulents for the Cactophile Ian Robinson
10 November 2025 Huddersfield AGM and Member Discussion N/A
10 November 2025 Liverpool Annual General Meeting None
11 November 2025 Croydon Annual General Meeting The formalities of the Annual General Meeting will be followed by a quiz with prizes based on cacti and succulent related questions.
12 November 2025 Teesside AGM and Photo Competition Slide Show Please submit entries taken in 2025
13 November 2025 Northumbria Anatolia 2025 Ray Stephenson
13 November 2025 Rother Valley Yet More Days in Patagonia: The Deep South Mike Partridge
14 November 2025 Grampian Branch AGM & social At The Redgarth, Oldmeldrum. AGM at 6.30pm followed by bar supper
15 November 2025 Portsmouth AGM and Annual Social
18 November 2025 Birmingham Workshop Cacti Miniatures, Succulent Bonsai and Bowl Gardening Branch Run Share ideas and learn about some growing techniques. Caudex plants will also feature.
We meet at Winterbourne House and Garden Centre for Horticulture from around 7.00 pm to begin a talk or activity at 7.30 pm. Plenty of free parking. The car park is open from 6.45 pm. Cost £3 to go towards expenses. First time visitors can come in for free. There are often plants for sale at our meetings. . Full details on our website. https://birmingham.bcss.org.uk/
19 November 2025 South Wales AGM
20 November 2025 Chelmsford "Namibia" Ron Crawford
25 November 2025 York Show & Tell All members input Bring your favorite cacti and succulents, with an associated story
29 November 2025 Dover Xmas Quiz

 

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis
04 December 2025 Chelmsford End of year "Social" Venue and other details t.b.c.
04 December 2025 Wiltshire AGM and Christmas festivities No Speaker Thee AGM and annual Christmas festivities.
5 December 2025 Hull & East Riding December Meeting - Christmas Party & Quiz Christmas Party Annual Christmas Party and Bob's Festive Fun Quiz of the Year! Members invited to bring some food for the buffet and enjoy a social catch up amongst plant friends. With usual raffle and table show.
06 December 2025 Bristol Cactus Soc. Christmas Surprise None A general Xmas "Get together" with Seasonal Food and Drink

A meeting charge of £3.00 will apply to non Bristol Cactus Society members

08 December 2025 Huddersfield Christmas Dinner - venue TBA N/A
09 December 2025 Birmingham Christmas celebration and AGM Branch Run After our AGM we share food and have a raffle. Other fun activities are included and have, in the past, included a quiz, new cacti and succulent films and sales. We also plan the next years trips!
We meet at Winterbourne House and Garden Centre for Horticulture from around 7.00 pm to begin a talk or activity at 7.30 pm. Plenty of free parking. The car park is open from 6.45 pm. Cost £3 to go towards expenses. First time visitors can come in for free. There are often plants for sale at our meetings. . Full details on our website. https://birmingham.bcss.org.uk/
09 December 2025 Croydon Christmas Party Format to be decided.
10 December 2025 Teesside Exploring the Colorado River Peter Berresford Travelogue cacti and succulents in habitat
11 December 2025 Northumbria Exploring the Colorado River Peter Beresford
11 December 2025 Rother Valley Christmas lunch None All welcome!
11 December 2025 York York Branch Christmas Dinner All members Venue to be confirmed nearer the time.
13 December 2025 Gloucester Christmas social
13 December 2025 Manchester AGM + Members' Social Evening

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis

Date Branch Talk Title Speaker Synopsis

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