Information about the Barham & District Horticultural Society

All about us and what we do

Society affiliated with the Royal Horticultural Society The Barham and District Horticultural Society, centred around the village of Barham in Kent is a friendly, active, local society which promotes and stimulates interest in all aspects of gardening - from growing vegetables, flowers, shrubs and trees to the quiet enjoyment of gardens and their wildlife. The Society was founded in 1895 and has over 200 members drawn from a wide area including surrounding villages - from enthusiastic active gardeners to those with a less active interest in gardens who often just wish to enjoy participating in the society's events and activities.

Activities take place throughout the year including talks in Kingston or Barham Village Halls, plant sales and our annual show. The Autumn Show (September), is the highlight of the Society's year giving members and non-members a chance to display their own grown fruit, vegetables and flowers together with classes for floral art, cookery, photography and additional classes for young people. Outings are another key feature of the Society's year – previous years have included coach trips to the Royal Horticultural Society's Wisley and other notable gardens features in the National Garden Scheme.

The Society also provides members with the opportunity for bulk buying of heavy items such as gro-bags, compost and other gardening products which can be delivered to your door. We also run an annual discount seed purchasing programme. We are able to offer a 50% discount off Sutton's seeds. Recently we have been involved with creating a new village planter at the Kingston end of Barham. We are in the process of upgrading two new planters at the Elham end of the village. This is a great community project, and we would encourage all ideas from our members.

The Horticultural Society is run by a committee drawn from the wide village membership and appointed by members at an AGM. If you would like to become a member or would like further information please contact any member of the committee, or come to a future event and meet us.

How to become a member

We welcome new members - you don't have to be a skilled gardener, younger or older, just interested in some aspect of gardening.

To join simply complete the online entry form with your contact details and what class of membership (individual or family) you would like and someone will be in touch with you to provide you with your membership card and other information (as well as seeking your subscription!).

Annual membership is £7 for an individual or £14 for a family.

Online membership form

Member Information

Details for members about GDPR, Health & Safety for visists, Payment information and Cancellation Policy for Coach trips

Data Protection

The Regulation, extending the Data Protection Act, came into effect on 25 May 2018 and requires all organisations holding data to comply with its provisions. The Society is required to produce a Data Protection Policy and to notify members of the data held and any use to which it is put.

BDHS Data Protection Policy »

Health & Safety for Visits

When visitig gardens as part of a group, please consider the following:

Wear suitable, comfortable footwear and clothing (we all know the unpredictability of the English weather!)
There may be uneven surfaces ie steps / slopes / gravel / grass / mud
Some surfaces may be wet, slippery or loose
Be aware of your surroundings especially when there is uneven paving, garden statuary or low garden walls.
Take time and care when boarding / disembarking from coaches
Ideally have a mobile phone with you and ensure the trip organiser has a note of the number if not advised on booking form

Payment Information

We accept payments for membership, trips etc by cash, cheque or online.
For trips always use reference from top of booking form plus your surname. For membership fees use ref of your surname.

Trips by Private Car
We now have to charge non members an extra £2 per person to join us for the day of the trip. This is to ensure cover by our insurance. Please pay on booking and forms will be distributed to complete name/ address on the day of the trip.

Cheques for trips:
Return completed form and cheque made payable to: B&DHS

Cash or cheque for membership fees:
At any event or to a member of the committee

Online payment: Account name Barham & District Horticultural Society.
Sort code 09-01-52 account no.25029707

Cancellation Policy for Coach trips

Cancellation 29 days before a trip – a full refund will be given.
Cancellation 28 or fewer days before a trip – no refund will be given unless the place is resold.

This is to cover unrecoverable costs of the coach hire.
The society also reserves the right to cancel a coach trip at any time should they deem this necessary.

The Committee

President Mr Vic Cracknell
Hon. Treasurer Mr. Andrew Clough
Hon Show Secretary Mrs. Jan Borgioli
Event Co-ordinators Mrs. Helen Croft
Event Co-ordinators Mrs. Jean Carus
Event Co-ordinators Mrs. Carolyn Manley
Membership Secretary Mrs. Liz Dallison
Committee Mrs. Imelda Rendell
Committee Mrs. Laura Goody
Village Hall Representative Mrs. Bronwen Wakefield

All about us and what we do

How to become a member