During 2025, we introduced a new activity for members: Several workshops designed for small groups of members to learn a new, practical, garden-related skill guided by experienced tutors were
arranged at Lydbury North Village Hall.

If there is a topic that you would like to have a try, or, if you know of an expert willing to teach a small group of members a special skill, please contact the club secretary.

Future Workshops: TBA

Easter Planters, March 27 th 2026
Fitting with our gardening club theme for 2026 of sustainable gardening, 10 gardening club members and friends enjoyed a very relaxed, sociable afternoon with Georgina Painter-Black creating rustic Easter Planters. Georgina, from Georgina’s Flowers, designs fresh and dried floral arrangements using material from her country garden near Tenbury Wells. Using natural materials including birch twigs, moss and spring flowers, mainly gathered from Georgina’s garden, we were instructed on how to create natural ‘nest’ planting arrangements that could be used indoor or out. Although not all participants had much experience of this type of craft, all were happy with what they had created with Georgina’s guidance. Some ornamental eggs were added to give the final touch to these
seasonal arrangements.

Christmas Wreath and Table Decorations, November 27^th 2025

A traditional, seasonal activity with a difference! A group of 15 gardening club members and friends enjoyed a festive afternoon making Christmas wreaths and table decorations at Lydbury North Village Hall under the expert guidance of retired florist, Claire Labrum, and artist, Alison Schofield. Music and delicious refreshments, added to the amazing abundance of foliage, seedheads and ornaments provided, made this an event to be repeated!  The choice of foliage and decorations including lights was amazing. The support of committee members made sure the afternoon ran smoothly and was enjoyed by all. 

Gelplate Monoprints, September 25th and October 2^nd, 2025

A gel printing plate is a soft tool you can use again and again. With it you can make prints without needing a press. Thankfully, this kind of printmaking is simple enough that all artists, no matter their skill, can try and with guidance can create beautiful prints. We used acrylic paint and a brayer to put color on the plate.

With these tools provided by Sarah Jameson, a Shropshire based artist, 14 garden club members attended monoprint workshops at Lydbury North Village Hall on the afternoons of September 25th and October 2^nd. Gelplate printing creates a fresh, non-repeatable image. We used favourite plants gathered from our own gardens – leaves, flowers, ferns, grasses in the process, and guided by Sarah, created our own unique prints and cards. In a very practical and informal setting, we were encouraged and inspired by Sarah’s knowledge and skill to experiment with colours, shapes and textures to create our own masterpieces!

Ikebana Workshop, April 2nd 2025

Though its roots are in medieval Japan, the floral arranging art of Ikebana has recently become more popular in western cultures. Displays are characterised by seasonal materials and sculptural, asymmetrically balanced flowers and/or foliage.  The first workshop arranged by the gardening club was held in the committee room at Lydbury Village Hall on April 2nd. Ten members and friends of SWSGC had a very enjoyable morning learning the principles of Ikebana Flower Arranging under the expert guidance of Noella Plasman-Jones, a senior teacher of the Ohara School of Ikebana.

Participants especially valued being able to do hands on with excellent instruction and support that was described as being both mindful and beautifully given.