British Cactus
and
Succulent Society
History
The British Cactus and Succulent Society (BCSS) was formed in early 1983 by the amalgamation of two former societies, the National Cactus and Succulent Society (NCSS) and the Cactus and Succulent Society of Great Britain.
Between 1946 and 1969 there was a London Branch of the NCSS which held meetings in the Royal Horticultural Society Hall, Vincent Square in London SW1.
As the membership distribution shifted to the suburbs, and parking in Central London became more problematic, attendance declined. Eventually the old London Branch was closed, with new clubs being formed in suburban London.
Chronology
April 1946
The London Branch was first mentioned in the NCSS Newsletter No 4, 15 April
1946. Hon. Sec Mr R K Byrd, Southall, Mddx.
June 1946
Inaugural meeting on 12th June 1946.
July 1948
The London Branch was completely reorganised under the Chairmanship of Mr
K H Wyser.
April 1949
Lecture given by Mr H Jacobson, Curator of the Botanical Gardens, Kiel.
April 1950
The Hon. Sec was Miss B F D Lane, Woking, Surrey. Meetings were held that
year at The Royal Horticultural Society Hall. See 1950
Programme.
June 1951
First Show - 60' x 6' at the Royal Horticultural Society, (RHS) on 26 and
27 June. Mrs Vera Higgins presided.
March to June 1953
The London Branch gave Coronation Gift Parcels of three plants to new members.
This year the London Branch decided to hold its own show, not with the RHS
as previously.
August 1954
Dr R T Craig (of Mammillaria Handbook fame) gave a lecture.
September 1954
Miss W E Dunn took over as Secretary from Miss B F D Lane, who had held
that position for six years.
From left to right: Mr E Doubleday, Mr R C Littelwood, Mr F H Lucas, Mr K Pigram, Mr R S Byles, Miss W E Dunn, Miss M Matvieff and Miss V Phinn.
1955
R S Byles, Radio Broadcast on cacti.
1956
Mr K Pigram, Branch Treasurer passed away. R S Byles, Branch Chairman, and
Gordon Rowley, were both awarded an NCSS Fellowship.
1961
First Annual Dinner held at Shaftesbury Hotel, London. From 1961 to 1969
meetings were held monthly.
The BCSS
National Show
Saturday 18 August 2012
Wood Green Animal Shelter
Godmanchester
nr Huntingdon
PE29 2NH
The National Show is the largest event in the BCSS Show Calendar and is held every four years.
