The disease had bitten and it has been down hill ever since! Decided that I could grow fuchsias (wrongly), entered show, won best standard with Annabel, next year won best in show with standard of Annabel again. .Hooked now, and beyond help, joined B.F.S., and won Beginners Class in the Southern Show at Reading, I was told that if I could really grow, the B.F.S. Northern cup was the one to aim for and I eventually won with a full standard of Annabel!! Became bored with the show scene settled back to duties with N.W.F.S., and was then persuaded to stand for B.F.S. committee, only four meetings a year to attend!! Mugged again, I was not warned about all the other activities you get involved in, the whole summer starts in April and ends in October with shows, displays and judging with either the B.F.S., Midland Fuchsia Group or the newly formed Fuchsia Friendship Group!!

Derek J. Luther, CAD 3 Where do you start when you are asked to write a profile about yourself.  At the beginning? I am Dorset born and bred "Thick in the arm and thick in the head". I joined the Fire Service when I was eighteen and retired seven years ago after ~ two years service. I have been married to my long suffering wife for thirty two years (fuchsia and rugby widow), we have three grown up children, one of each, if you should ask, and a recent addition, William our first grandchild.
My interest in fuchsias started in 1967, when I purchased two fuchsias, Constance and Royal Purple, thinking that they were house plants. After all the leaves and flowers fell off, I decided to find out more about growing fuchsias. At the time there was only one fuchsia book in print "Fuchsias" by Stanley J Wilson. I borrowed a copy from my local library who had to order it from the Oxford Library service. I was copiously taking notes when my wife presented me with my own copy for our first wedding anniversary, so who really is to blame for my addiction?
Through this book I joined the B.F.S. and subsequently Wessex Fuchsia Group, a 120 mile round trip to meetings. I became the first newsletter editor and show manager of Bournemouth and Poole Fuchsia Society, which I eventually relinquished, but have since taken on the show manager's job again and Vice Chairman. I have other horticultural interests, growing sweet peas and dahlias are two of my favourites, but I like growing all manner of things. I am the Chairman of Parkstone Gardener's Society, and Question master/organiser of an inter societies quiz with up to 22 teams taking part. You may have come across a fuchsia called Parkstone Centenary which was registered by me to commemorate the society's one hundredth year, a lovely white/purple double which is floriferous and worth growing. I am not specifically a fuchsia judge, but have a show judge certificate for all types of horticultural exhibits.
I enjoy all aspects of fuchsia growing, you name it and I have probably tried it. I have a large collection of fuchsia memorabilia and too many varieties of fuchsias. My favourite part is giving talks on how to grow and enjoy fuchsias, which brings me into contact with many like minded people. I have travelled from Pembroke to Felixstowe and all points south and as far north as Inverness spreading the gospel. Have you heard about how I use spray starch, what is the reason for eggs under the bed, or the scary old lady I met at the bus stop at Bristol? sorry they will just have to wait for another day!

Once again we had some truly excellent speakers over the last few months, Paul Heavens (Triphyllas), George Evans (Fuchsias across the Board) and Eric Coupland (Growing Fuchsias Around the Clock) giving us a wealth of information about the many varied aspect of fuchsia growing.
Lack of time and space however means the detailed reports will now appear in our next edition. Something to look forward to at the onset of autumn/winter!! 
We have a break in August, to concentrate on participating in our Annual Show which will take place at Scalby Pariah Hall on August 11th & 12th. We hope to see many of you in support!
Then, for our next normal monthly meetings we have further treats in store with Alan Darkins from Nottingham giving valuable advice on 'Overwintering' on September 19^th and Jim Muncaster's talk on October 17^th about 'Hardy Fuchsias'. Not to be missed!
We round off the year with a social evening on November 23rd.