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The Durban and Coast Horticultural Society was founded in 1903, by Sir Benjamin Greenacre, with meetings held in the Durban Old Town Hall and so the society was born. The first show was held on the 20th of April in 1904 and the society went from strength to strength, holding sometimes up to three shows a year. Vernon Rippon, the ‘garden guru’ joined the society in 1963 and is still very active in the organization today, being one of our most senior garden judges.
In the 1950’s floral artists such as Joyce Henry, Solveig Kandy, Lola Hudson –Bennet and the doyenne of floral art in Natal, Mrs Rosemary Ladlau, who went on to become the President of the World Association of Floral Art and is still very active in the floral kingdom of Kwa Zulu Natal to this day, emerged.
The Durban and Coast Horticultural Society includes - The Durban Floral Art Club which is the largest floral art club in the country – www.durbanfloralart.co.za with 200 members, The Panel of Floral Art Judges, headed up by Pam Harvey, The Association of Garden Judges, headed up by Margaret Du Preez, Phyllis Jenkins and Vernon Rippon and the Pot Plant Club, chair Jayne Moir. Lynn Clark is the immediate past president and is staying on the board. Greer Nevill is the Secretary and Treasurer. The society holds a garden competition every year with exciting cash prizes and floating trophies. This year’s sponsors are S.A. Gardening magazine and Max Prop - giving some welcome publicity and a monetary injection into the competition. The “Garden Lovers”, Kwa Zulu Natal, Garden of the Year runs from August to the end of October with 8 categories, from small to large gardens, entertainment areas etc., etc. Judging takes place in early November and the prize giving on the 10th of November.
More information can be obtained by calling Sheila on 031 702 1950, cell 082 4570547, fax 031 7010626 or e.mail shelion@iafrica.com
Sheila Astill is the current President of D.C.H.S. and the Chair of the Durban Floral Art Club.
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