The Chronicle

GWELO, Sunday, June 5, 1967 — Mr P Slade, president of the Rhodesian Association of Garden Clubs, told delegates attending the association’s biennial congress that Rhodesia was leading the world in the standard of presentation of flower shows.

In his report for the period ended March 31, he said the association was now affiliated to the National Council of State Garden Clubs of America and the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies of Britain.

Twenty-two colour slides of the association’s shows were sent to America.

The inter-town floral art competition, cancelled last year because of doubts about petrol supplies, will be held in Umtali on July 28-29.

Two candidates passed the final, and five passed the preliminary floral art judges examination in October last year.

Mr Slade reported that a trophy had been presented to the “very enthusiastic” Arcadia Garden Club in Salisbury.

He said that Lord Aberconway, president of the Royal Horticultural Society in Britain, had been invited to visit Rhodesia because “of certain kind remarks he made about Rhodesia.”

He said Lord Aberconway, who has business interests in Gwelo, would arrive when other commitments freed him.

The Mayor of Gwelo, Dr C J Roux, who opened the congress, said “quite a vast amount” of the £35 000 to be spent on building extensions to the Gwelo Civic Centre would go towards beautifying the setting.

Mr Slade was re-elected president, while Mrs M Rich and Mr W Simpson were re-elected secretary and treasurer respectively. The Mayor and Mayoress gave a sundowner for delegates.