The thriving Bollington & District Gardening Club holds a Spring Show in March each year, as well as regular monthly meetings with speakers, workshops, the Bloomin’ Bollington Garden Party and trips to well known gardens.
Contacts
Chairman: Steve Fry 
Tel: 01625 430065
email:bollingtongardening@hotmail.com
Treasurer: Joyce Burton
Tel: 01625 572668
email: bollingtongardening@hotmail.com
Show Secretary: Martin Simmons
Tel: 01625 478027
email: bollingtonspringshow@outlook.com
The Bollington & District Gardening Club meets at 7.30 pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month (unless otherwise stated) at The Community Centre, Ovenhouse Lane, Bollington SK10 5EY. The annual subscription of £20, which includes free entry to all meetings, is due in January. Non-members pay £3.50 per meeting but they are always welcome.
We hold a Spring Show in March each year. The schedule is obtainable via the links below or from the Show Secretary.
2026 Remaining Events
Thursday 20 August
Perfect Pots – Using Pots and Containers in the Garden – Maureen Sawyer
Thursday 17th September
An Introduction to Alpines – Cliff Booker
Friday 25th September
Malvern Autumn Show – Day Coach Trip
Thursday 15th October
Trees & Shrubs for the Smaller Garden – Kathryn Robey
Thursday 19th November
Howard’s Great Garden Quizzes – Howard Drury
Thursday 3rd December
Christmas Meal
TRIP TO CUMBRIA
In August the Bollington and District Gardening Club enjoyed a day trip to Cumbria, the penultimate trip of the year.
The first destination was Levens Hall an impressive Elizabethan House set in 10 acres of spectacular grounds. A spectacular topiary garden unchanged from the 17th century, it is the oldest in the world. Various species of salvias were underplanted in the shrub borders, colourful herbaceous borders and very unusual planting of vegetables growing in flower beds. An asparagus hedge was particularly interesting.
After enjoying a very nice lunch at Levens Kitchen we set off to Holehird gardens, a lovely Fellside garden with views of Lake Windermere. A vast collection of Astilbe and Hydrangeas, walled garden and herbaceous borders, were very much admired. The garden is run solely by volunteers and is impressive.
We were lucky with the weather, it remained dry despite a forecast of rain. On arriving home we were all joyous to see that Bollington had had a really good SOAK.
Maria O’Brien
BLOOMIN’ BOLLINGTON GARDEN PARTY
12th July 2026
BIGGER, BETTER and MORE BLOOMIN’ THAN EVER!
The third Bloomin’ Bollington Garden Party organised by the BOLLINGTON AND DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB was held last Sunday and proved to be bigger, better and more bloomin’ than ever before.
The event was enthusiastically attended by local families, who enjoyed an afternoon of games, face painting, a tombola and a popular plant stall on the Recreation Ground in glorious summer sunshine. Local businesses Happy Valley Honey, Tullis Russell and Canalside Radio were also a welcome presence and helped contribute to the friendly community atmosphere.
The Mayor of Bollington, Councillor Dickie Fletcher, presented prizes to the winners in the following categories:
Pubs
First Prize: The Holly Bush
Second Prize: The Spinners Arms
Third Prize (Joint): Church House Inn and The Cotton Tree
Cafés
First Prize: No. 74 Deli
Second Prize: The Green
Third Prize: The Mulberry Leaf
Shops & Businesses
First Prize: J.J.J. Heathcote
Second Prize: Bollington Veterinary Centre
Third Prize (Joint): KD Podiatry and Bollington Town Council Offices
Dean Valley and Rainow schools had face painting and pot making stalls to make money for their gardening clubs.
Even more businesses took part in Bloomin’ Bollington this year, helping to make the town a vibrant and colourful place throughout the summer of 2026. The continued support from local businesses, volunteers and residents has made the initiative a wonderful success, bringing the community together while showcasing the pride people take in making Bollington bloom.
Maria O’Brien
EAST OF ENGLAND THREE DAY TRIP
7th-9th June 2026
FLORA, FAUNA AND FUNKY MUSIC
On our annual three-day trip, members of the Bollington Gardening Club enjoyed visits to three very special gardens.
Our first destination was the magnificent Helmingham Hall Gardens, set in the heart of Suffolk. These Grade I listed gardens, with their stunning backdrop of the historic house, moats and beautiful naturalistic planting, provided a memorable start to the tour. An unexpected highlight was being entertained by the Lockerbillies rock ’n’ roll band, who have also performed at the famous Glastonbury Festival.
Our second visit was to RHS Garden Hyde Hall, a garden renowned for its long views and expansive skies. This horticultural oasis is home to a wealth of treasures, including rare trees and impressive island beds planted with sweeping drifts of grasses, perennials and shrubs.
The third garden, and probably the favourite for many members, was the iconic Beth Chatto Gardens. World-famous for its inspirational gravel garden, woodland garden and water garden, it provided a fitting finale to our trip.
Throughout the tour, we were very well looked after by the staff at the Holiday Inn, and we enjoyed comfortable coach travel, which helped make the whole experience both relaxing and enjoyable. A wonderful three days of gardens, plants, wildlife and even some unexpected rock ’n’ roll entertainment!
Maria O’Brien
{Photos inserted by Joyce Burton. Apologies if any of them is attached to the wrong garden. It was difficult to collate them all!}
POT ET FLEUR WORKSHOP
Thursday 19th March 2026
Members proudly displaying their creations at a Pot et Fleur Workshop run by The Loose Leaf Flower School. Pot et Fleur has Victorian origins combining living house plants with cut flowers.
Spring Show 2026
The Spring Show returns this year on Saturday 14th March 2026, at the Civic Hall, Palmerston Street, Bollington. It is FREE to enter. Certificates will still be awarded to the first, second and third prize winners.
To view the schedule, click on any of the “Schedule” links below.
2026 Schedule
Open to the public from 2.00pm to 3.45pm.
Trophies will be presented at 3.45pm by the Mayor, Cllr. Jon Weston.
You do NOT have to be a member to enter any of the classes listed in the 2026 Schedule but entries must be received by 9.00pm Wednesday prior to the show at the latest. Entries will NOT be accepted after this time, nor on the day of the show,
Children’s entries do not have to be registered and should be brought to the Civic Hall on the day of the Show. Entry form.
To register your entries you can post the entry form, email bollingtonspringshow@outlook.com or simply call Martin on 01625 478087. He will provide you with all the information you need. 2026 Schedule.
2026 SPRING SHOW REPORT
On Saturday the 14th March the Bollington and District Gardening Club held its 59th Spring Show—an event that remains a highlight of community life and marks the welcome arrival of the Spring/Summer season.
Bathed in beautiful sunshine, the Civic Hall saw record numbers of visitors, all greeted by the delightful scent of spring flowers. A lively atmosphere filled the hall, with a bustling plant stall, tombola, a variety of crafts, and the ever-popular tea and homemade cakes.
Awards were presented for outstanding plant arrangements, spring flowers, bulbs, and a wide range of plants. It was particularly fascinating to see the many varieties of narcissus on display. The handicraft exhibits were exquisite, showcasing creative embroidery, fashion accessories, woodwork, photography, and paintings. A particularly touching display featured tiny knitted hats and coats for premature babies.
Children were also recognised with prizes for their imaginative entries, including miniature gardens and creative animals and insects made from recycled materials. (view their entries in the photographs below.) Of course, no spring show would be complete without the cake and preserve competition, with entries that looked delicious.
The Mayor, John Weston, presented trophies and cups at the close of what was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. The Gardening Club continues to thrive with an enthusiastic membership, offering monthly talks and a range of summer trips. (Details are in the events lists below).
We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Bloomin’ Bollington Garden Party on Sunday 12th July.
Maria OBrien
EVENTS 2025
CHRISTMAS MEAL 2025
The Club held a very successful annual dinner at Hollin House Hotel, where the food and service were very good and everybody enjoyed the evening. Katey Walker’s photographs of the event can be seen below,
‘Bloomin’ Bollington’ Garden Party Sunday 13th July 2025
The Bollington and District Gardening Club hosted a joyful afternoon on the recreation ground on Sunday 13th July to celebrate the winners of this year’s Bloomin’ Bollington competition. With glorious weather and a wonderful turnout, the Garden Party proved a great success.
Attendees enjoyed fun games for the children, delicious teas, plant stalls, a tombola, and support from local businesses including Happy Valley Honey, Prestbury Garden Centre, Mr Whippy Ice Cream, Bollington Borrowers, Perfectly Darling Facepainting, Inspired by Naples Pizza and Canalside Radio, all of whom contributed to the fantastic community atmosphere.
This year saw 21 entries to the Bloomin’ Bollington competition across three categories: Pubs, Cafés and Restaurants and Local Businesses. Judges found it especially difficult to choose the winners, as every entry had clearly invested significant time and creativity in their floral displays.
Category Winners:
Pubs:
- The Cotton Tree
- The Holly Bush
- The Spinners Arms
- The Turners
Cafés and Restaurants:
- The Green
- No.74 Deli
- The Mulberry Leaf
Local Businesses:
- Bollington Veterinary Centre
- Belfields Bakery
- Essential Beauty
- Loose Leaf Flower School
Sunflower Superstars
The highlight of the day was the Children’s Sunflower Competition, with winners Toby, Zoe, and Ted Lewis and Flo Bradley proudly taking home prizes for their impressive blooms.
Special Recognition
Rainow Primary School and St John’s Primary School were awarded special recognition for the outstanding work of their gardening clubs. The judges were especially impressed by the children’s enthusiasm and their impressive knowledge of plants and produce.
The Bloomin’ Bollington competition and Garden Party has once again brought colour and cheer to the town. Locals and visitors alike are appreciating the beautiful displays that are making Bollington so vibrant and welcoming this summer. A huge thank you to everyone who took part and supported the event!
Article: Maria O’Brien
Photos: Ray Jordan
West Country Trip 8-10 June 2025
A group of Club members went on a very successful trip to visit three gardens, Hestercombe House in Somerset, RHS Rosemoor in Devon and Hidcote in the Cotswolds. Click here to read Maria O’Brien’s account of the trip and view some of Kate Walker’s photographs. Below is the group photograph taken by Ray Jordan.
Spring Show 2025
Click here to view a selection of photographs from the show.