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A letter to all BCSS members and friends from BCSS Chairman, Ian Thwaites

I am writing to you today about the impact that Coronavirus is having, and will have, on BCSS events over the next few months.

Little did we know back in January, when most of us heard about a virus in China, the impact that it would have on our lives less than three months later. Each day we listen to the Prime Minister introducing more and more restrictions that will affect our daily routine and wonder what will be next?

Having listened to all the advice available I have no option but to recommend that Branches and Zones suspend meetings, conventions, shows and any other public event until Her Majesty's Government advises us that it is safe to resume. I know that this will adversely affect the lives of many members but the safety of our members, their family, our friends and the general public must be our overriding concern.

For our part we have cancelled the AGM and the National Show which I know will be a disappointment to many of you and particularly members of the Shows Committee who have spent so many hours planning this event which I expected to be the biggest and best yet.

We will reschedule the National Show for next year providing the emergency is over by then and would suggest that for those who have sponsored a class or reserved tables or displays we will carry this forward to the next show. If anyone does need a refund, please contact the Treasurer or the Shows Committee.

I always consider the BCSS to be a people organisation in which we share an interest in our wonderful plants, so I would urge all of you to keep in touch with each other safely, perhaps on the phone, on-line or even calling over the garden fence. I would also ask you to remember any elderly member who may need some help with shopping, walking the dog or just a friendly voice on the phone so that they know they are not alone.

As most of us will miss the Branch meetings I have asked all the BoT to help me fill the void with more online and published offerings that can reinforce the close-knit community that is the BCSS. I have asked Al, Jim, Bill, Tony and Jain (our new enews editor who will start in May) to help provide you with more news, gossip and friendly banter so we can all keep in touch. This cannot happen without your input so please get in touch if you can help in any way. Can anyone compile a cactus or succulent crossword, or should we have an online quiz? Let’s consider ways of making our isolation fun.

We will need your help so if you have the time, and can offer to help us in any way, please do get in touch.

No one is on their own in the BCSS and it is incumbent on each and every one of us to help each other. Please get in touch if you think we can help you.

Wishing you all a very safe and healthy year and looking forward to when life gets back to normal.

Kind regards

Ian

Ian Thwaites
Chairman

Contact

If you can help with anything I have suggested in this letter, or would like to discuss any aspect of the Society in general please email
Ian Thwaites

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