AFTER a welcome to our March meeting by chairman John Groves, members sat down to something completely different. The speaker for the evening was Geoff Hale s travelling theatre and he told the story of the Chinese Gooseberry Man. Geoff dressed in Edwardi

AFTER a welcome to our March meeting by chairman John Groves, members sat down to something completely different. The speaker for the evening was Geoff Hale's travelling theatre and he told the story of the Chinese Gooseberry Man. Geoff dressed in Edwardian costume, took the role of E H Wilson, a famous Kew based plantsman, who went to China on several expeditions in search of the handkerchief tree, lilies and yellow and red poppy wort and discovered the Chinese gooseberry (kiwi fruit). He 'took' us along the Yangtze River, up and down mountains and all the hazards that incurred, but spoke no Chinese. As an actor, Geoff has an excellent voice for story-telling and with his humorous anecdotes it was easy listening and enjoyed by all members. Our next meeting is in the Brooklands Centre, Sutton on Wednesday, April 11, at 7.45pm when we welcome the return of Roger Skipper - this time on the gardens of South Africa.

We look forward to seeing you. It only costs £1 so why don't you come and join us?