Some useful links
Where We Meet
We use the hall just behind St Mary's Church on Overleigh Road, just South of the River
Dee.
The post code for the Church is CH4 7HL.
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The church is an imposing building and easily spotted, whether you approach from the city
center by way of the old bridge ...
... or from the west by way of the new bridge or the Wrexham road / A55 junction.
The hall is directly behind the church and hardly visible from the road.
Go down the driveway between a telephone kiosk and the church itself and turn right.
Meetings
We meet at St Mary's Church Hall, Handbridge, Chester CH4 7HL, usually on the
third Friday of the month but not in December, July or August. The Hall is open from
7.00pm.
Members are encouraged to bring their plants in flower to each meeting. There
is a wealth of information within the Society and it is our tradition that this is shared
freely amongst members.
We send an email to all our members about ten days before our regular
meetings, to remind them what is on and to pass on other information. We are happy to send
these to non-members and potential visitors - please use the index tab (☰)
to reach the 'Contact Us' section.
At most meetings there is a raffle. Members often donate orchid plants.
Refreshments such as tea and coffee are available during the evening, usually immediately
after the speaker.
We have a library that contains many books suitable for both beginners and
experts. Members can borrow books for one month and can browse the reference books, which
cannot be loaned out.
Plants & Auction
At meetings where plants are not for sale by the evening's speaker, members
may offer their own orchid plants for sale. A 20% seller's premium is levied and
donated to the Society.
Each year we hold an auction where members buy and sell plants. Typically,
about eighty plants are sold each year, usually at very advantageous prices. A seller's and
buyer's premium operates (10% for each) and the proceeds are donated to the Society. This is
an excellent way to extend a collection and try new types of orchid.
Membership
The annual subscription is currently £12. We no longer offer double or family
membership. Subscriptions are normally paid to the Membership Secretary at or just after the
October meeting.
Charitable Status
CANWOS registered with the the Charity Commission in 1993 but surrendered its
registration in 2011. It is now a "Charity exempt from the need to register". Tax
paying members can still benefit the Society by making a Gift Aid declaration. Details can be
obtained from the Treasurer at any of the meetings.
Membership & Affiliation
The Society is a member of the British Orchid Council (BOC) and sends two
representatives to its meetings. CANWOS is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and
members can use some of the benefits available.
Constitution
A copy of our present Constitution is available for downloading by clicking
on CANWOS Constitution.
This was last revised at our 2012 AGM.
