The East MidIands Orchid Society was formed in 1976 and is a member of the British Orchid Council (BOC). In January 1996 the Society became affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society.

OBJECT The main object of the Society is to promote the cultivation and preservation of all orchid species.

MEETINGS These are held on the third Sunday of each month from September to June at 2.30 pm when guest speakers are invited to visit and give illustrated talks on all aspects of orchid growing. Often the speakers are specialist amateur growers who pass on some of their expertise. Sometimes the speakers are from nurseries and they bring plants for sale. At other times, the speakers may be concerned with orchids in the wild. A plant auction is usually held once a year.

The Display Table is an important feature of these meetings. Members are encouraged to bring any flowering plants they may have.

VENUE The monthly meetings are held at Stoke Rochford Hall, Stoke Rochford, near Grantham in Lincolnshire. The Hall is situated approximately six miles south of Grantham and is within a very short distance of the main Al road. A map is given on the back page of this leaflet with instructions on how to find the Hall. The venue now belongs to the National Union of Teachers and is their National Education and Training Centre.

The same room is not always available and so members are requested to check on the notice board just inside the main entrance, which one is to be used on that particular day.

NEWSLETTERS These are issued several times a year to keep members up to date with what is happening within the Society and to give general information which may be of interest to the members.

LIBRARY The Society has its own collection of books and magazines etc. These are displayed at the monthly meetings and may be borrowed by members.

BADGE The Society has its own badge, a version of its emblem Paphiopedilum callosum (a slipper orchid illustrated on the front page of this site) in white, yellow and gold.

VISITS Each year the members try to make at least one visit to a place of interest in connection with orchids, for example, a nursery or a Botanical Garden.

ANNUAL SHOW The Society holds its own Annual Show at various venues throughout the region usually in the Spring of each year, when the members put on a dazzling display of orchids. Several other Societies and some professional nurseries are invited to take stands and this results in a wealth of colour and a profusion of the many different types of these lovely (and sometimes unusual!) flowers.

The members also put on orchid displays at the Shows of other similar Societies within the immediate vicinity of the East Midlands region.

The EMOS tries to cater for all types of members, from the experienced grower with a large collection of orchids in a spacious greenhouse to the novice or beginner with just one or two plants on the kitchen windowsill! The result is an interesting mix of people, which always ensures lively discussions and comments every time we have a get-together!