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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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Fullers Mill is a seven acre site on the banks of the River Lark. It was created by the late Bernard Tickner who spent over 50 years creating the dappled woodland & unusual shrubs, perennials, lillies & marginal plants. In 2013 the gardens were gifted to Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture build & live better lives.​

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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 2024 is Dec 4th. Click below for menu. Cost will be £40pp

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/

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Open Garden Bury St Edmunds

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Fullers Mill

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Fullers Mill

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Open Garden Bury St Edmunds

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Open Garden Bury St Edmunds

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Fullers Mill

Chairman: Bob Stride  Show Manager: Pam Bushell  Hon Secretary: Linda Green

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Show Venue : St Augustine's Church Hall, Johnstone Road, Thorpe Bay, Southend -On-Sea

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